2022 Annual Summit

Ryan Hutchison

Business Development Lead, Crop Intelligence

Ryan has worked in the Precision Ag industry for over 25 years—with a keen interest in weather stations and capacitance soil moisture probe technology. Working in this data driven industry, he has long understood the value of good data when it is trusted and put into action. Ryan recognizes the importance of collaboration and working with a strong team. He is often referred to as “Mr. Tenacious” for his determination and commitment to the development and success of Crop Intelligence.

Andrea De Roo M.Sc. P.Ag. CCA

Agronomist, Crop Intelligence

Andrea De Roo is an agronomist with South Country Equipment and farmer in southeast Saskatchewan. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 2013 and Masters in Plant Science in 2016 from the University of Saskatchewan. She is also a designated Professional Agrologist with SIA and a Certified Crop Advisor and 4R Nutrient Management Specialist with CCA. Her and her husband currently live by Indian Head with their 2 dogs and 3.5 horses. In her spare time, you will find her doing something outdoors, or volunteering in the community.

Stuart Person CPA, CA

Senior Vice President, Agricultural Services and National Leader of Crop Services, MNP

Stuart Person, CPA, CA, is the Senior Vice President of MNP's Agricultural Services and National Leader of Crop Services, located in the Edmonton office.

Stuart has more than 25 years of experience in agriculture, specializing in the grain industry. Passionate about the industry, he grew up on a grain farm and continues to participate as a producer himself. This experience and knowledge allows Stuart to relate first hand to what Canadian Agriculture producers face in their operations—and gives him greater insights on how to help producers overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

Stuart works with many agriculture producers, associations and other industry stakeholders on a daily basis, providing advice into the complex issues that affect the industry. He has extensive experience as an Agriculture Business Advisor with MNP and has helped clients from coast to coast.

In his role as Senior Vice President, Stuart leads a national team of more than 700 Agriculture professionals who serve more than 21,000 clients. He sits on the Board of Directors at Farm Management Canada (FMC-GAC), and is also a member of the Canadian Association of Farm Advisors (CAFA).

Stuart earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree with Distinction from the University of Saskatchewan in 2000. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (CA) in 2003.

Dean Andersen B.S.A., P.Ag

Regional Sales Manager, Yara

Dean is from an Elnora farm, just 80 km southeast of Red Deer. He completed his B.S.A. from the University of Saskatchewan in 1980 and since then has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and experience in agricultural sales.

For 13 years, Dean was the Wholesale Fertilizer Manager for Westco in Calgary where he looked after sales to Alberta Wheat Pool, Agricore, Agricore United and eventually Viterra. Westco lead the way for CCA to be introduced into western Canada and Dean was one of the very first to get his CCA as a result.

He has most recently spent 9 years as the Yara Regional Sales Manager. He looked after 50% of the Yara Belle Plaine Urea, UAN, Amidas and NH3 Sales throughout W Canada and Northern Tier states.

Dean is passionate about nature positive solutions that help feed the world.

Robert MacDonald

Manager of Agronomic Excellence and Product Advancement, BASF

Career at BASF has been focused on canola for over 25 years.  Currently the manager of Agronomic Excellence and Product Advancement, managing the Agronomic Excellence research program for InVigor hybrid canola and Ideltis hybrid wheat portfolios in Western Canada and Northern US.

Mike Gallais

Director of Procurement, Avena Foods

Avena is a specialty miller with a strong history of sustainability and reputation for quality and innovation. We are committed to bringing gluten-free, functional pulse (beans, chickpeas, lentils and peas) and Purity Protocol oat ingredients to customers throughout the world.

With facilities located in the heart of the Canadian Prairies (Regina and Rowatt, SK and Portage la Prairie, MB), we partner with farmers who share our commitment to providing safe, quality ingredients to food and beverage, nutraceutical and petfood manufacturing companies globally.

Partnering for safe, healthy diets and a sustainable world.

Big Daddy Tazz

Comedian and Motivational Speaker

After falling on his face, his teacher asked what he was trying to prove. Tazz quickly answered, "Gravity!" Laughter erupted, and thus the saga began.

Having performed a wide variety of shows stretching from a client's 101st birthday to a biker initiation makes Tazz one of the most sought-after comedians working today. Tazz is able to do what he loves both on and off stage, which is to make people laugh! His off-the-cuff style brings the audience together, making them feel like they are part of his family, sitting around the kitchen table playing crib.

Dr. J.L. (Les) Henry P.Ag.

Professor Emeritus,Soil Science ; Agricultural and Environmental Consultant

Les Henry received primary and secondary education at Milden, Saskatchewan and was raised on nearby Brunswick Farm. He received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Master of Science (Soil Science) degrees from the University of Saskatchewan.  He spent five years on soil survey in Saskatchewan and 30+ years in Field Soil Fertility and Soil Salinity and Extension work while teaching at the University of Saskatchewan.

He has written a regular soils column in Grainews since October of 1976 and had international experience in Tanzania, Swaziland and in China . 

Les is currently a private consultant in soils and environment to farmers, governments and industry and has authored and self-published two books:   “Catalogue Houses ; Eaton’s and Others” and  “Henry’s Handbook of Soil and Water”.  Both books went to multiple printings.

In June 2022 he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of Saskatchewan and presented the Convocation address to graduates of the Colleges of AgBio and Veterinary Medicine.

In July 2022 he was struck down by a heart ailment ( A -FIB) and now operates at about 30% capacity.

Evan Shout CPA, CA

President and Co-Founder, Maverick Ag Ltd.

Evan Shout is the president and co-founder of Maverick Ag, a business consulting and risk management firm in Western Canada. He also sits as president, co-founder, and lead coach at Farmer Coach, an education and coaching program for primary producers in both Canada and the US. These organizations fall under the Hebert Group of Companies, which also includes Hebert Grain Ventures, a 30,000-acre grain and oilseed operation in southeast Saskatchewan, where Evan sits as Chief Financial Officer.

In his past career, Evan worked as a CPA with MNP, an agriculture accounting firm in Canada, specializing in large-scale primary producer grain operations. He is passionate about improving farm business with a focus on human resources management, technology, data analysis, and financial and operational risk practices.

The legacy of Hebert Group is to leave the dirt, financial statements, community, and industry in a better state generation after generation. 

Laird Lampertz BSc. Ag, CCA, P.Ag

Sales Manager/Senior Agronomist, Pitura Seeds

Andrea De Roo M.Sc. P.Ag. CCA

Agronomist, Crop Intelligence

Andrea De Roo is an agronomist with South Country Equipment and farmer in southeast Saskatchewan. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 2013 and Masters in Plant Science in 2016 from the University of Saskatchewan. She is also a designated Professional Agrologist with SIA and a Certified Crop Advisor and 4R Nutrient Management Specialist with CCA. Her and her husband currently live by Indian Head with their 2 dogs and 3.5 horses. In her spare time, you will find her doing something outdoors, or volunteering in the community.

Mike Palmier

Owner and Operator, Max Ag Consulting

Mike was raised on a mixed cattle/grain farm near Lafleche in south central Saskatchewan, and now resides on an acreage southwest of Plenty with his wife and co-owner Shannon and their 3 daughters: Elliot, Olivia, and Emma.

Mike graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a degree in AgBusiness and is a Practicing Agrologist with the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists. Mike has a wealth of knowledge gained through roles in grain marketing, sales, and agronomy over 14 years working in the agriculture industry.

Mike’s passion is working closely with farmers to find the best solutions to maximize not only yield, but more importantly the profitability of their farming operations. With this goal in mind, Max Ag was established in 2019 to fully commit to these goals, while using the latest in applied technologies available to help make the best decisions possible!

Elston Solberg M.Sc., P.Ag.

Agronomist ; Co-Founder, Crop Intelligence ; EarthDirtSoil

Elston grew up on a small dairy farm near Ryley Alberta where his passion was baseball and hockey as a player and coach.

Later he served on council for 9 years, Mayor for 8.

His professional life has 3 distinct chapters:

1. Academic Research - 7 years full time and 8 years part time with University of Alberta (while working at Alberta Agriculture).
2. Research and Extension - 17 years at Alberta Agriculture.
3. Coaching Growers and Coaches since 2002 as Sun Mountain Inc. - 15 years with Agri-Trend Agrology and 5+ years solo.

Elston has been privileged to coach around the world where he has learned more than he has taught.

Some of his favourite sayings are:

• Learn, UnLearn, ReLearn,
• Think Like a Plant
• Balance is the Key
• The Future is Already Here, it's Just Unevenly Distributed
• Sustaining the Resource? NO! The goal is Enhancement of the Resource.

and most importantly,

• K.I.S.S. - Keep It Simple Solberg, where the foundational concepts are 85% correct is great enough

as long as we continually seek incremental improvement whether we're farming or playing sports.

He is currently immersed in water use efficiency, liming solutions, creation of new nutrient delivery systems and coaching, coaching, coaching.

Elston has been blessed with 4 amazing children and 5 grandchildren (to date).

At 65 he is more passionate about the future of agriculture than ever.

Scott Kehler M.Sc.

President and Chief Scientist, Weatherlogics Inc.

Scott is the President and Chief Scientist of Weatherlogics. Prior to co-founding Weatherlogics, he completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in meteorology at the University of Manitoba. As Chief Scientist at Weatherlogics, Scott conducts weather research and develops tools to help clients plan for all types of weather conditions. This includes new methods to improve road weather forecasts. Despite his research focus, Scott still enjoys forecasting day-to-day weather and is often involved with preparing forecasts for high-impact events.

Ryan Hutchison

Business Development Lead, Crop Intelligence

Ryan has worked in the Precision Ag industry for over 25 years—with a keen interest in weather stations and capacitance soil moisture probe technology. Working in this data driven industry, he has long understood the value of good data when it is trusted and put into action. Ryan recognizes the importance of collaboration and working with a strong team. He is often referred to as “Mr. Tenacious” for his determination and commitment to the development and success of Crop Intelligence.

Andrea De Roo M.Sc. P.Ag. CCA

Agronomist, Crop Intelligence

Andrea De Roo is an agronomist with South Country Equipment and farmer in southeast Saskatchewan. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 2013 and Masters in Plant Science in 2016 from the University of Saskatchewan. She is also a designated Professional Agrologist with SIA and a Certified Crop Advisor and 4R Nutrient Management Specialist with CCA. Her and her husband currently live by Indian Head with their 2 dogs and 3.5 horses. In her spare time, you will find her doing something outdoors, or volunteering in the community.

Ben Copeland

FieldAlytics

Ben has more questions than opinions, but is passionate about understanding the agronomic decision making process. He uses his role as General Manager of FieldAlytics Solutions Canada, a spatial based agronomy software, to help agronomists and producers understand their own operations and decision making processes.

He wears a few hats which include operating as project lead for an innovative soil sampling alternative that uses spectral imaging and machine learning to infer soil nutrients, carbon and soil health. He also lends a hand on the family farm near Elrose, Saskatchewan.

Alana Serhan B.Envr. AAg

Territory Business Agronomist, Crop Intelligence

Alana joins us as a Territory Business Agronomist for Crop Intelligence.
 
She has experience as a Provincial Agronomist for Richardson Pioneer, and extensive experience as a Market Development Agronomist from her time with PRIDE Seeds.
 
Alana grew up on a farm outside of Porcupine Plain, Saskatchewan and has strong prairie roots, so we know she’ll not only fit in well with the team, but with you as well.

Ben Cavers

Partner, Be-Ver Farms

Ben Cavers is a fifth-generation partner of Be-Ver Farms Located in Sedley Sk. He is also a co-owner of a pedigreed seed company Whispering Pine Seeds out of Sintaluta Sk. He grew up on the farm and left for a short period to then return in 2009 to be an active partner. He has helped grow the farm in areas of data management and machine efficiencies.  He has worked with platforms such as MyJohnDeere, GranularAg, Agrimatics, Producers edge, South Country and Crop Intelligence to make this possible.

Darcy Herauf

Director of FCC AgExpert, AgExpert

Darcy Herauf is Director of FCC AgExpert, business management software that’s solid, simple and built for the farm. He’s spent almost his entire career at FCC, undertaking leadership roles in finance, marketing and information technology. Darcy’s IT experience and background in agriculture inform his day-to-day work, helping make AgExpert a top choice for business and field management software in Canada.

Bryan Prystupa

Senior Product Owner, AgExpert

Bryan is a Senior Product Owner with the FCC AgExpert team, collaborating with partners and companies across Canada to develop integrations that help producers use digitized farm data. He’s passionate about helping advance Canadian agriculture and food through technology solutions.

Christian Hansen

Small Grains Agronomist, John Deere Western Canadian Small Grains Production System Innovation Team

I was born and raised on a family farm in Theodore Saskatchewan where we primarily grew wheat, canola, barley and pulse crops. I graduated from the U of S in 2014 with a degree in Agribusiness and shortly after began my career managing small plot and field scale agronomic research sites with Monsanto which eventually transitioned to a similar role with Bayer in 2018. While working I continued to pursue other professional designations in the industry and I was able to become a CCA in 2015 and PAg in 2017. In July 2021 I was fortunate to join Deere’s Small Grains team responsible for Western Canada, the Northern and Central Plains of the US, and Australia. My role with Deere is to help growers and the engineers that design our equipment and digital solutions understand the agronomic impacts related to their use to create sustainable and profitable outcomes.