Three recipients were honored at the 2019 Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium banquet on November 12 in Saskatoon.
The award for Distinguished Service was given to Raelene Petrecek, Research Technician with the Prairie Swine Centre (PSC). The award, presented by Murray Pettitt, CEO of the Prairie Swine Centre recognizes Raelene’s service and commitment to the Centre’s research programs over the past 27 years.
She began her research career working with Dr. John Patience at the University of Saskatchewan swine unit until it became the Prairie Swine Centre in 1992. She was one of PSC’s original employees and is affectionately known as the “Corporate Memory” and as a person who “goes the extra mile”. Raelene continues to perform research technician duties and supervises the research technician pool. She also trains graduate and undergraduate students on specific data collection methods, maintains research and production SOP’s, and carries out quality control and study compliance.
Her dedication to the swine research program, commitment to high quality research and training of the next generation makes her very deserving and worthy of this award.
The award for Production Excellence was presented by Daryl Possberg to Curt Kowalchuk for dedicated service, commitment and contribution to the success of Polar Pork Farms.
Curt joined the company as Manager of the Bear Hills site in 2015. His excellent management abilities and willingness to adapt to new production techniques quickly made him very valuable. In 2017, he developed a protocol to minimize cross-contamination between litters which proved to be extremely successful. He was soon promoted to Production Manager responsible for Horizon Polar Pork (Dinsmore); Bear Hills Polar Pork (Perdue), Carlton Trail (Cudworth) and the Carrot River site. Curt also oversees the Elm Springs site in Assiniboia.
In his current role as Commercial Operations Manager, Curt is a hardworking and passionate leader who fosters an atmosphere of open communication and cooperation. He credits his success to the dedicated staff under his direction who have dramatically improved productivity rates on the farms. Curt is also a Sask Pork director and was re-elected in October for a second two-year term.
The Lifetime Achievement award was presented to Dr. Henry Gauvreau, Warman Veterinary Services by Florian Possberg of Polar Pork Farms.
Dr. Gauvreau was honored for his dedication and commitment to the health and well-being of Saskatchewan swine herds. He joined Warman Veterinary Services in 2001 and became a partner in 2005, Henry has focused on maintaining dynamic herd health programs that would help his clients maximize production management goals.
Throughout his career, the contributions Henry has made have reached much further than the farms he worked with. He contributed locally and nationally on swine health projects, specifically the the Ractopamine-free and PRRS-Free Herd Certification programs; national and provincial biosecurity programs; Canadian Quality Assurance and Canadian Pork Excellence the swine industry’s new on-farm program.
Henry was also a member of the group that developed the PEDv Emergency Response Plan. Florian noted that Saskatchewan’s high health status and freedom from PEDv was no accident. It is the result of excellent swine veterinary support in the province! •
— Photos and copy supplied
by Sask Pork
