A significant leadership change has occurred within the organization responsible for guiding Canadian research in the pork sector. Last month, Mark Ferguson was appointed as the new chair of Swine Innovation Porc (SIP), a group dedicated to the advancement of research, development, and knowledge transfer for the swine industry in Canada.
Ferguson, who has over 20 years of experience in the field, previously served as General Manager of the Saskatchewan Pork Development Commission located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. His leadership has been pivotal in promoting various initiatives aimed at fostering growth within the industry. He was raised on a family farm near Edgeley, Saskatchewan, which has contributed to his deep understanding of the sector. Additionally, he holds the position of Chair on the board of directors for the Prairie Swine Centre.
Expressing his enthusiasm for his new role, Ferguson stated, “I look forward to working with our members and partners towards our shared vision of ensuring long-term profitable pork production through collaborative research and innovation.” He emphasized the importance of SIP in uniting producer groups and industry stakeholders across Canada, stating that this collaboration is essential for the sector”s continued success.
Joining Ferguson on the SIP Board of Directors” Executive team are René Roy as Vice-Chair and Jorge Correa as Treasurer. Ferguson takes over from Arno Schober, who has led the Board since 2021 and has been recognized for his dedication to driving innovation within the pork value chain.
SIP was founded in 2010 as a not-for-profit organization that represents the Canadian Pork Council along with eight provincial pork producer organizations. SIP plays a crucial role in facilitating research efforts that aim to enhance the pork industry across Canada.
In light of Ferguson”s appointment, SIP General Manager Daniel Ramage expressed confidence in Ferguson”s ability to lead the Canadian pork research community effectively, while also extending gratitude to Schober for his years of dedicated service to the organization.
