Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


‘All Things Agriculture’

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

New Minister Has Unique Farming Background

By Mary Loggan

Rob Flack was recently appointed Ontario’s new minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. With much discussion concerning Flack’s future plans, Better Farming explores the minister’s farming background to foretell how he will relate to Ontario producers.

Tell us about your background in agriculture.

“My earliest memories of farm life are being with my grandfather on his farms in the Ottawa Valley. While I didn’t grow up on a farm, I spent my summers working on dairy farms, which led to my deep desire to be part of all things agriculture.

“After graduating from the University of Guelph, and not having a family farm to go home to, I did the next best thing: I got a job in agribusiness as a sales trainee with a feed company.

minister flack standing at farm fence
    OMAFA photo

“This led to a wonderful career in the animal nutrition industry as I learned the business from the ground up. I worked my way up the ranks and ultimately became the CEO of Masterfeeds Inc. and enjoyed growing the company with a great team throughout Canada.”

What first inspired you to pursue a leadership role in the industry?

“I believe in the saying, ‘to whom much is given, much is expected.’ Throughout my career I always encouraged our management team to have leadership roles in our numerous provincial and national associations. The very best part of leading our business was to see people grow and succeed. This included our employees, customers, dealers, and suppliers. Success breeds success, and creating the right environment for people to learn and grow is the best pathway for sustainable performance.”

Tell us about your current cattle operation.

“We have a beef farm in the Ottawa Valley. It is a cow-calf operation comprised of 50 cows. We have a skilled farm manager who runs the show. The farm consists of 200 acres of hay and pasture as well as timber (primarily white pine). We also rent another 100 acres of pasture.

minister flack standing in field with farmer
    OMAFA photo

“We primarily focus on marketing purebred seedstock along with commercial steer and heifer calves. Since entering public life, we do not get to the farm as often as we used to. However, it still my ‘home away from home,’ and I love every minute being there.”

How did running a large national agribusiness help you connect and relate to farmers?

“What I enjoyed most about my career was travelling throughout Ontario and Canada meeting with our customers and employees. I have always said serving farmers is a ‘belly to belly’ business.

“To succeed, you need to build strong relationships, meeting face to face on their turf. I learned more from my customers, farmers, and farm supplier than any other group of people.

“And the same is true today as your Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.

“The best way I can serve OMAFA stakeholders is to travel across our province to listen and learn about the concerns, issues, and opportunities facing agri-food in Ontario. And that is exactly what I plan to do.”

minister flack examining corn in field
    OMAFA photo

Do you have any advice for farmers or others in the industry wanting to take on leadership roles?

“The best advice I could offer any current or future leader is to surround yourself with the best talent you can find. The art of delegation is a learned skill and very important for all leaders to adopt. Always stay curious and explore any and all opportunities to innovate. Finally, stretch yourself and look for ways to serve your community and agribusiness-related associations.

“Talk to the multitudes of fantastic leaders we have in Ontario’s agri-food sector. They will tell you they all come back to their business after serving in another leadership capacity with a renewed sense of purpose and energy.” BF

Current Issue

April 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

OFA Fights for Farmer Rights during Tariff War

Monday, March 31, 2025

The agricultural sector in Ontario trades billions of dollars annually with the U.S. In 2023, this amounted to $32.8 billion, it also included a trade deficit of nearly $2 billion. The impact of tariffs and trade barriers on this trade is significant, as they disrupt supply chains, reduce... Read this article online

Lynmark Farms named Master Breeder for 2025

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

The Canadian Milking Shorthorn Society has announced that Lynmark Farms has been named as a herd for 2025. Lynmark Farms is owned and operated by Tim Shearer and Irene Vietinghoff of Norwood, Ontario. They are the third Milking Shorthorn herd to be recognized as a since this... Read this article online

Ontario Mega Farm Faces Market Chill

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

A large working farm in Ontario, one of the province’s biggest on the market, is facing difficulties finding a buyer. Listed at $72.1 million, the 2,300-acre property is located near Lake Erie in Elgin County, spanning both Malahide Township and Central Elgin. Despite its prime agricultural... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top