Looking to the future, boldly
Commentary by Mike McMorris, LRIC CEO, September 2021
In my office hangs a picture of a threshing crew in Lewvan, Saskatchewan in 1924. The wind was strong that day as seen by the smoke moving horizontally from the steam engine. The men are on a quick break, posed by the steam engine and on the wagons of sheaves. One of the fellows on a wagon is a relative of mine, one I never met.
I love that picture because it makes me think about the future… I am living that fellow’s future. And my grandchildren will live my future.
If we could set out some bold targets for the future, what would they be? What should the livestock sector of the future look like?
Considering the big things facing livestock agriculture, how about these:
- Climate change: Net negative carbon emissions for all livestock production, including housing systems
- Antimicrobial resistance: Virtually zero use of antibiotics as a result of genetic selection and precision management, including vaccination and feed additives
- Soil health: Livestock better integrated into the agricultural landscape with a focus on regenerative agriculture
I’d love to hear your vision for the future of Ontario livestock. Send your thoughts to mmcmorris@livestockresearch.ca.
