Staff
Andrea Brocklebank, M.Sc., P.Ag.
Executive Director
Role: Andrea Brocklebank works collaboratively with the industry to oversee the delivery of a research program through the BCRC and Beef Science Cluster that funds research projects in areas of importance to the Canadian beef industry. She oversees the development and implementation of research programming, administration of funding granted by the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off and the Beef Science Cluster, the delivery of extension activities, and Verified Beef Production Plus.
Andrea is also responsible for leading the development and implementation of the Canadian Beef Research and Technology Transfer Strategy and advancing collaborative funding partnerships aligned with the strategy.
Background: Andrea completed a B.A. in Agricultural Studies at the University of Lethbridge and M.Sc. of Agricultural Economics at the University of Saskatchewan. She was raised on a farm in southern Alberta and prior to working with the CCA, worked within the Canadian cattle feeding sector and in agriculture finance and lending.
Contact:
O: (403) 275-8558 ext. 311
E: brocklebanka [at] beefresearch [dot] ca
Reynold Bergen, Ph.D.
Science Director
Role: Dr. Reynold Bergen provides scientific and industry expertise to the BCRC and Beef Science Cluster, working with industry to identify research priorities, review research proposals and scientific reports, and engaging with industry and research experts on an ongoing basis. Reynold also works to gather and provide relevant research-based information for industry, public and government communications on specific issues.
Background: Reynold received a B.S.A and M.Sc. in Animal Science from the University of Saskatchewan, and Ph.D. from the University of Guelph. Reynold has worked as a technician, research associate and post‐doctoral fellow at the universities of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Guelph, and AAFC Lethbridge in areas ranging from live‐animal carcass evaluation of beef cattle, cold‐weather physiology of ruminants, genetics, and feeding behavior, in addition to work in technology transfer and extension with both government and private industry.
Contact:
O: (403) 275-8558 ext. 315
E: bergenr [at] beefresearch [dot] ca
Cassidy Klima, Ph.D.
Technical Director
Role: Dr. Cassidy Klima supports the development and advancement of research and technical analysis related to beef quality, food safety, animal health and technical barriers to trade. The technical director role is a shared position between the BCRC and the Canadian Cattlemen's Association Policy Division.
Background: Cassidy received a M.Sc. from the University of Lethbridge in 2010 and Ph.D. from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at University of Saskatchewan in 2015. Cassidy participated in two Postdoctoral assignments that focused on further characterizing the genetic basis and mobility of antimicrobial resistance elements present in livestock operations. In addition to her academic works, she also participated in research that spanned a wide range of production concerns including animal health, methane emissions, nutrition, and performance enhancing technologies.
Contact:
O: (403) 275-8558
E: klimac [at] cattle [dot] ca
Tracy Herbert
Extension and Communications Director
Role: Tracy Herbert oversees the development, maintenance and utilization of various research extension tools, including www.BeefResearch.ca, with a focus on accelerating the adoption of innovations related to production efficiencies, animal health, and food safety and quality to cattle producers and other industry stakeholders. To maximize investments in research, she led the development of the Canadian Beef Technology Transfer Network, which works to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of technology transfer in the Canadian beef industry through greater collaboration and empowerment of technology transfer agents, and direct engagement of researchers with industry.
Background: Tracy received a B.A.in Communications Studies and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Calgary. Her family operates a mixed farm in West Central Saskatchewan.
Contact:
O: (306) 850-5026
E: herbertt [at] beefresearch [dot] ca
Stacey Domolewski, M.Sc.
Research and Innovation Coordinator
Role: Stacey Domolewski assists with the review of research proposals and scientific reports, and the gathering of relevant research-based information for various audiences. To ensure producers have access to current research information, she develops factsheets that summarize projects funded through the BCRC. She also helps to inform the development, maintenance and utilization of various extension resources on BeefResearch.ca, and coordinates the BCRC's Beef Researcher Mentorship Program.
Background: Stacey received a Master's of Science at the University of Saskatchewan College of Agriculture and Bioresources. She is a past graduate of the Cattlemen's Young Leaders program. Her family ranches in Southern Alberta.
Contact:
O: (403) 275-8558 ext. 318
E: domolewskis [at] beefresearch [dot] ca
Ellen Crane, M.Sc.
Extension Coordinator
Role: Ellen Crane helps coordinate the development, maintenance and utilization of various extension resources, including the BCRC's webinars, blog articles, and other content on www.BeefResearch.ca.
Background: Ellen received a Master's of Science in Animal Science at Dalhousie University. She is a local 4-H leader, a graduate of the Cattlemen’s Young Leaders Program, and a 2018 Nuffield Scholar. Her family raises cattle on Prince Edward Island.
Ellen is currently on leave and will be returning to the office August 2022. Any urgent inquires can be directed to Tracy Herbert (above) or Sydney Fortier (below).
Sydney Fortier
Interim Extension Coordinator
Role: Sydney Fortier helps coordinate the development, maintenance and utilization of various extension resources, including the BCRC's webinars, blog articles, and other content on www.BeefResearch.ca.
Background: Sydney grew up in NE Alberta and attended the University of Saskatchewan to obtain her bachelor's degree in Animal Science. She is currently finish a master's through the University of Manitoba looking into the environmental impacts of natural vs conventionally raised beef.
Contact:
O: (639) 998-6737
E: fortiers@cattle.ca
Charlotte Pickel
Operations Manager
Role: Charlotte Pickel supports the development and implementation of BCRC’s business planning and budgetary processes, project selection and management, results reporting, and assists with board and stakeholder engagement.
Background: Charlotte grew up in St. Mary's, Ontario and attended the University of Guelph for her bachelor’s degree in animal biology. She has a diverse livestock background that includes working in beef and dairy cattle research at the University of Calgary and Feedlot Health Management Services as well as working in the AI breeding program at the Livestock Improvement Corporation in New Zealand.
Contact:
O: (403) 275-8558 ext. 319
E: pickelc [at] beefresearch [dot] ca
Gloria Jewison
Financial and Business Administrator
Role: Gloria Jewison assists with management and oversight of BCRC annual business planning, results reporting process, accounts, and financial reporting and filing of AAFC claims. She also provides research project administration, including development of funding contracts and financial reports, and Cluster administration, including application development, proposal review (financial and workplans), budget development, and contract development.
Background: Gloria graduated with a degree in Agriculture Economics from the University of Saskatchewan. Raised on a mixed grain and beef cattle farm in west central Saskatchewan, Gloria has worked in the beef industry for the past three decades.
Contact:
O: (403) 277-1090
E: jewisong [at] cattle [dot] ca
Linda Wakeling
Administrative Assistant
Role: As the CCA Administrative Assistant, Linda Wakeling provides administrative support to the BCRC and Verified Beef Production (VBP) divisions. Linda coordinates and administers committee meetings, account tracking, and various projects including coordinating materials for proposals and final submissions.
Contact:
O: (403) 275-8558 ext. 302
E: wakelingl [at] cattle [dot] ca
Janice Bruynooghe, MSc PAg
Project Coordinator
Role: Janice Bruynooghe supports a number of BCRC initiatives including the Canadian Beef Technology Transfer Network, the Technology Transfer and Production Economics annual funding call, transition of ForageBeef.ca content, the Eastern content development project, and research coordination under the Canadian Beef Research & Technology Transfer Strategy.
Background: Janice has a range of cattle- and forage-related expertise. As a Partner in Spring Creek Land & Cattle Consulting, she works across the industry with an extensive list of collaborations and projects completed over the years. She along with her husband and son ranch near Outlook, SK.
Contact:
C: (306) 229-5459
E: extension [at] beefresearch [dot] ca
Contract Support
Additional contract support provided by Tara Mulhurn Davidson, Laura Monchuk and Dana Parker.
