DAN MATHIESON - Summit MC

Dan has served 5 terms as Mayor of Stratford and has sat on municipal council since 1995. During his tenure, Dan has been a member on numerous boards and committees in healthcare, municipal affairs, law enforcement, athletics, not-for-profits, universities and colleges. In 2012, Dan was chosen by the Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance (CATA) to receive the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, paying tribute to community leaders whose endeavours have set them apart as technology innovators. As well, Dan received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 for public services. 

NATHAN SKOUFIS - Maintaining a Strong Mind for Your Farm Team (10:00AM - 10:40AM)

Nathan Skoufis is a 25x World Martial Arts Champion, 6th Degree Black Belt and Member of Team Canada and…YES HE DRINKS MILK! Nathan has family roots in agriculture and a deep respect for the dairy industry driven by passionate families and job creation for Canadians.  

Like a dairy farmer, Nathan is an entrepreneur as Owner and Head Instructor of Guelph Family Martial Arts and Guelph Fitness Kickboxing. Having claimed several international gold medals for Canada. He utilizes training as a vehicle to facilitate personal development and growth and to instill powerful life lessons of perseverance, confidence and many more. His studio is a fun and nonjudgmental environment where everyone can feel welcome and thrive to their fullest potential. His martial arts passion started at the age of 4. 

CATHERINE MCCORQUODALE - Legally engaging your spouse in your family Dairy Operation (10:45AM - 11:25AM)

Cate grew up on a dairy farm near Embro, Ontario and continues to be actively involved in her family’s dairy operation – McCorquodale Dairy, Embryo ON. The modern 45,000 sq.ft pack barn is impressive and complete with robotic technology and the latest in cow comfort. Cate now owns a number of cattle herself under the Catidid prefix. Cate attended the University of Guelph where she studied Animal Science and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. She then completed a Masters of Science at the Ontario Veterinary College, focusing on the genetics of dairy calf health. Cate graduated with a J.D. from Western Law in 2014 and was called to the Ontario bar in 2015.

Cate is now a partner in Monteith-Ritsma-Phillips, with 4 offices in South-Western Ontario with many farm and agribusiness clients. 

ULRICH WESTRUP, "The Happy Farmer" - Current challenges in dairy farming in Europe: Strategies for Efficiency, Sustainability, and Animal Welfare (11:20AM - 12:10PM)

Ulrich Westrup, born in 1971, is a farmer and state-certified agricultural business manager. He lives in Bissendorf (Lower Saxony), where he and his partners manage a mixed farm of almost 800 hectares with dairy cattle, including 156 hectares of grassland, biogas and arable farming. As managing director of Westrup-Koch Milch GbR, his main focus is on animal husbandry, training and personnel management. Ulrich Westrup is also chairman of the supervisory board of the Osnabrück Herdbuch-Genossenschaft (OHG) and has been involved with the DLG for many years, including on the General Committee, the Main Agricultural Committee and as chairman of the Milk Production and Cattle Farming Committee. He was previously a member of the DLG Executive Board from 2015 to 2018, before becoming Deputy Chairman of the DLG Supervisory Board in 2018. In his honorary capacity at the DLG, he was able to provide important impetus for projects such as the Forum for Top Dairy Farming Operations, the DLG Dairy Farming Herd Manager and the technical orientation of the EuroTier. In 2018, Ulrich Westrup was awarded the Max Eyth Silver Medal by the DLG board for his services to German dairy farming and the DLG.

CONSUMER AND PROCESSOR INSIGHT PANEL (1:10PM - 1:50PM)
This panel will discuss what Canadian consumers are looking for in Dairy products they consume and how their preferences have changed. This panel will give insight to consumers who are all from different ethnicities or backgrounds.  Featuring top executives from dairy processors in Canada.

EUGENE NG - Increase your awareness of Cyber Security. Understand where your dairy operation could be at risk from AI. (1:55PM - 2:35PM)

Eugene is a graduate of the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University. He holds the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) designation and is a PCI Qualified Security Assessor. 

Eugene co-founded a successful cyber security company that received numerous industry awards. As Chief Innovation Officer, he was instrumental in designing high-level strategic security visions for some of Canada’s largest corporations. Eugene has participated in numerous events to stay abreast of market trends and emerging technologies and has been a guest speaker, notably serving as a panelist at the Canadian Association for Security and Intelligence Studies to discuss cybercrime with some of Canada’s most respected government agencies.

Eugene currently oversees research and development activities and formulates long-term vision and strategies at the executive management level to enhance the firm's ability to serve clients. He offers a comprehensive range of cyber security services and solutions to medium-sized and large enterprises in the agricultural sector, including the dairy industry, providing expert advice to help clients make informed technology-related business decisions.

CAMERON MCALPINE - Negotiation & Professionalism on Farms - Relationship Workshop (2:40PM - 3:30PM)

You negotiate all the time. With your family, your farm employees, your suppliers and yourself. Cameron’s purpose is to help you unpack the dynamics of those negotiations and learn to become a great negotiator who can thrive in any situation. Cameron understands what is needed to run your own business and the entrepreneurial spirt of running your own successful farm operation. He draws on 20 years of experience to provide that instruction. He began his career in Washington DC helping organizations lobby government decision makers. He then spent years building political coalitions and running campaigns to advance important causes – such as protecting our land base and advancing healthcare policy – and to help organizations achieve their marketing and communication goals. More recently, Cameron has been advising one of Canada’s largest healthcare protective associations with negotiation strategy and organizational effectiveness.. Today, Cameron is teaching at Ivey Business School, consulting with a range of organizations, and spending as much time as possible cooking with his kids, exercising with his dog, and travelling with his wife.