Dr. Argenis Rodas-Gonzales and Manitoba beef producer Trevor Atchison during the 2015-16 Beef Researcher Mentorship Program (Supplied photo/ Beef Research Council)

By Alice McFarlane

BCRC Beef Researcher Mentorship Program

BCRC Mentorship Program marks its 10th anniversary

Dec 4, 2024 | 3:51 PM

The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) celebrated a decade of its Beef Researcher Mentorship Program, which has connected more than 40 mentees with countless beef producers and industry mentors to bridge the gap between science and industry.

Andrea Brocklebank, executive director of the BCRC, said the program launched in 2014 and was inspired by the need for stronger connections.

She said the program has fostered a new generation of forage, cattle and beef researchers with stronger ties.

“The BCRC was noticing that many new researchers were not from a farm background or were unfamiliar with Canadian production,” Brocklebank said. “Through the mentorship program, we’ve been able to bridge that gap between science and production, equipping researchers with tools to push the industry’s goals forward while improving sustainability and competitiveness.”

Funded through the National Beef Cluster, the mentorship initiative encourages new and early-career researchers to engage more deeply with Canada’s beef producers. It provides participants with hands-on opportunities to understand the industry’s needs while helping them align their work with practical applications.

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The mentorship program aims to build the skills, networks and confidence necessary for researchers to lead applied research and technology transfer initiatives and facilitate collaborations that enable new researchers to establish effective research and extension programs.

The program has also allowed producers to benefit from the expertise of researchers. Mentees receive a travel bursary, allowing them to attend industry conferences, workshops and farm tours. Mentors guide researchers by building their knowledge, skills and professional networks, while identifying opportunities to support their career goals.

Dr. Jillian Bainard, a research scientist in forage ecophysiology at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Agassiz Research and Development Centre, said her time as a 2018-19 mentee was extremely helpful.

“As someone who grew up on a grain farm with limited exposure to livestock production, the mentorship program was incredibly useful. It bridged the gap in my knowledge and connected me to the industry.” Bainard said.

The mentor-mentee relationships often extend far beyond the program. The first cohort in 2014-15 included Dr. Emma McGeough, now an associate professor at the University of Manitoba, who was mentored by Janice Bruynooghe and Sandy Russell of Spring Creek Land and Cattle Consulting Inc.

McGeough said there is enduring value of this connection:

“To this day, I call Janice for advice, and she always answers. Conversations with producers and industry professionals help identify research gaps and priority areas,” she said.

Bruynooghe said there are as many benefits for mentors as for mentees. She emphasized how the program broadened her perspective by comparing production practices in Ireland, where McGeough was educated.

“We get to collaborate with innovative early-career researchers, which drives progress in the industry,” Bruynooghe said. “This global exchange of ideas enriches the program and the industry.”

For more information visit the BCRC Beef Researcher Mentorship Program webpage.

Applications for the 2025-26 mentorship year will open in March 2025.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

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