The Canadian Agriculture Hall of Fame has announced four inductees for 2024, including a forage breeder, a canola devotee, an entomologist and a leader in cattle genetics.
“This year’s inductees have made significant and lasting contributions to Canada’s agriculture sector, improving opportunities for Canadian farmers and the entire agriculture industry, and elevating Canada’s standing on the world stage,” said Phil Boyd, chair of the Canadian Agriculture Hall of Fame.
The 2024 inductees, Dr. Bruce Coleman, Dr. Michael Eskin, Paul Larmer and Dr. Charles Vincent, will be officially inducted on November 2nd during a ceremony at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, Ontario.
Dr. Bruce Coleman is an award-winning forage crop scientist who has developed 24 new forage crop varieties over his professional career of over 40 years. Bruce’s forage breeding research as a researcher at McGill University and then Agriculture and Food Canada’s Saskatoon Research Centre has shaped the future of profitable production of forage seeds and forage crops for cattle feeding. Many of Bruce’s forage varieties were industry firsts, including reduced bloat alfalfa, hybrid brome grass and smooth awned forage barley. Dr. Bruce Coleman, of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, was recommended by the University of Saskatchewan Crop Development Centre.
Dr. Michael Eskin Dr. Michael Eskin is a pioneering canola researcher who made groundbreaking contributions to the early development and refining of canola oil. A distinguished professor at the University of Manitoba, Dr. Michael’s research transformed the quality and stability of canola oil and helped expand the market for this quintessential Canadian crop on an international scale. He also played a pivotal role in establishing canola oil as an important heart-healthy addition to the Canadian diet, extending the benefits of this golden oil to farmers, the economy and consumers. Dr. Michael Eskin is based in Winnipeg, Manitoba and was recommended by the University of Manitoba.
Paul Larmer Paul has dedicated his professional life to improving cattle genetics and establishing Canada as a global leader. From his early days as a dairy sire analyst to overseeing the formation of Semex Alliance and leading it for 17 years as CEO, Paul’s lifelong leadership and vision have had a profound impact on the success of Canadian farmer-owned businesses in the global cattle breeding improvement industry. A mentor to many, Paul seamlessly guided Semex through the transition from a Canadian company exporting Canadian genetics to an international company providing global solutions in cattle genetics. Paul Larmer is a resident of Guelph, Ontario and was recommended by Semex.
Dr. Charles Vincent is an internationally respected leader in the field of agricultural entomology. A research scientist with Agriculture and Food Canada and an excellent science communicator, Charles has studied insects that have an economic impact on Canadian food production for 40 years, guided by a vision to develop commercially viable sustainable agricultural systems with minimal environmental impact. His research, which includes the development of the first viral insecticide registered for use in Canada, has provided practical tools to significantly reduce the amount of insecticides used in commercial production of apples, grapes, blueberries, and more. Dr. Charles Vincent lives in Saint-Lambert, Quebec and was recommended by Co-Lab R&D division d’Ag-Cord inc.
