CCA congratulates Dennis Laycraft, Executive Director, who was recently honored by Canadian Western Agribition (CWA) as one of the Top 50 in Canadian Agriculture.
Dennis has been a strong advocate for the Canadian beef industry having recently achieved a 30-year milestone as Executive Vice-President of CCA. Prior to his service with the CCA he served as General Manager with the Alberta Cattle Commission for six years.
Dennis was recognized in the ‘Deal Makers’ category, which highlights leaders who are keeping the industry growing and leaders who are making sure agriculture is always at the right table when it's time to do the deal.
Dennis has often been instrumental in different ways in advancing the Canadian beef industry such as supporting, mentoring, championing and often setting out the vision to be achieved. He is known to empower and push his staff team to achieve significant programs.
“Having travelled with Dennis both nationally and internationally I have noticed that when Dennis speaks, everyone listens. His strong history supporting the Canadian beef industry and his calm approach have made him indispensable to the global cattle industry. This recognition is well deserved,” said Bob Lowe, CCA President.
Among his many contributions, a few of the shared achievements that Dennis has helped champion in one way or another over the years include: driving the establishment of the national Check-off for the beef industry, the creation and advancement of the Beef Cattle Research Council and the Verified Beef Production Plus Program; championed the launch of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef; supported the creation of CCA’s Cattlemen’s Young Leaders program; helped develop Canadian Beef Grading Agency, the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency to implement individual animal identification and traceability, the Canadian Beef Export Federation, and the Market Access Secretariat; and, has been very involved when NAFTA, CUSMA, CETA, CPTPP, and other trade deals have been negotiated to ensure the interests of Canadian beef producers are represented.
Many may also remember Dennis from the early 2000’s when he was the face of the Canadian cattle industry that much of the public met through media briefings, industry meetings, and other channels when the BSE crisis came crashing down on the beef industry in 2003.
His leadership has extended beyond CCA including sitting as co-chair for the Beef Value Chain Roundtable for 17 years, chairing the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, chairman of the Regulations and Standards working group on the Agri-Competitiveness Task Force, chairman of the external advisory panel of the 1992 AAFC regulatory review, advisor to Canada’s Auditor General’s department on a number of food inspection and research matters, member of the Trade Opportunity Strategy Committee advising the government on trade priorities, and more.
Dennis and his fellow winners will be celebrated at Canadian Western Agribition in November in Regina. Find the complete list of this year’s recipients here.
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