35 Story Idea? Email Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Farming | January 2024 UP CLOSE Jessica Radau photo Jessica Radau photo farm solidified the value in industry leadership and youth involvement for Jessica. She keeps busy in her current work and as a staff person for the Canadian Cattle Young Leaders (CYL) and Canadian Cattle Youth Council programs. “The young leaders program is for people 18 to 35 in the beef industry. We see a lot of young producers, but also see people from all over the industry. “Participants get a mentor and a travel budget so they can do some training and build connections in the industry.” The program has been around since 2010 and has had more than 180 graduates. “It acts as a built-in succession planning tool, taking the next generation of young leaders and aligning them with mentors and giving them skills and tools that drive the profitability of the industry for years to come,” says Jessica. Her involvement as a primary producer and participant in industry development has Jessica looking forward to the future of the beef industry and the next generation that will lead it. What is your favourite thing about the beef industry? My favourite thing is how welcoming the beef industry is to the next generation. People are so open to lending a helping hand and connecting with young people and helping them in this journey. It makes it a really exciting place to build a career in agriculture. What has your biggest challenge been in farming? Like many young producers, it’s probably succession planning. We are very fortunate to have such a great family willing to have those conversations and help us succeed as the next generation, but there are some hurdles within the process, like Luke moving cow-calf pairs in summer pasture. Touring MP Alistair MacGregor (also NDP federal ag critic) with Jessica at the farm in July during the Calgary Stampede.
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