Board of Directors

Craig McLaughlin resides in the Whitewater Region of Renfrew County where he operates a cow-calf and backgrounding beef farm. Craig has a strong passion and interest in resource preservation and protecting soils and biodiversity through cattle grazing. Craig served as Advisory Councillor for Renfrew County for a number of years and also serves in the role of Supervisor for two local feeder finance co-operatives. Additionally, Craig represents BFO as a Director for the Canadian Cattle Association.

Three year term ends in 2026.

Jason Leblond and his family operate a 35-head commercial grass-fed cow-calf beef farm in the Township of Chisholm, near Powassan. Jason began farming in 2006 with four cows, and has since expanded the family farm with the aim of growing to 100 cows. Jason is a Certified Engineering Technologist and has been involved in a number of agricultural organizations, including the East Nipissing Parry Sound Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Muskoka/Parry Sound/Nipissing Beef Farmers. Additionally, Jason represents BFO as a Director for the Canadian Cattle Association.

Three year term ends in 2027.

Joost and his family operate a cow-calf-to-finish beef farm with a herd of full blood, purebred and commercial Limousin cattle in Perth County. They also operate a custom farming business with a broad range of services. Joost is a current member of the Perth County Beef Farmers' Association, and is very passionate about connecting with the public about raising beef cattle in Ontario. 

Three year term ends in 2026.

Don Hargrave, with his brother and family, operate a fourth-generation beef farm in Grey County. The family maintains 100 purebred black Angus cows, sells 20-25 bulls and 30 females per year, and finishes the balance for a branded-beef program. They also grow grain crops, hay forage crops, and pasture. Don is a director with the Grey County Beef Farmers, chairperson of the Grey Dufferin Community Pasture, president with the Ontario Association of Community Pastures, and past director of the Ontario Angus Association. Don currently represents BFO as a board member with the Canadian Cattle Association and the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency.

Three year term ends in 2026.

Don Badour and his family farm near the town of Perth in Lanark County. Together, they own and operate a cow-calf beef farm with 60 Hereford/Red Angus cross cows. They also grow corn and soybeans, as well as providing custom no-till planting, haying and combining services. In addition to the work on his own farm and through his custom business, Don also transports livestock. Don has experience serving as a representative for a number of agriculture organizations, including the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Lanark County Cattlemen's Association. 

Three year term ends in 2028.

Jim and his family operate a 50-head commercial Charolais cow-calf herd that is VBP+ certified in Simcoe County. They background half of their calves and finish the remainder for the local freezer beef market. Jim is a VBP+ auditor and has audited farms from Thunder Bay to Sarnia, as well as throughout the Maritimes. Jim worked for Honda Canada Manufacturing for 30 years with the last 10 years spent as Purchasing Quality Manager. Jim is very active in his community, including roles with the Simcoe County Beef Farmers, as well as the church, community hall, minor hockey, curling, and other community initiatives. Jim currently represents BFO as a board member with the Canadian Cattle Association.

Three year term ends in 2027.

Nick Martin resides on Manitoulin Island where, together with his parents and brother, he operates large commercial cow herd, in addition to purebred Shorthorn and Angus cattle. They sell some purebred bulls and F1 females, while finishing the rest of the animals to be marketed through their Pure Island Beef program. The Martins finish roughly 300 head per year, which continues to grow as demand for their beef grows, and they custom graze another 300 steers each year. Nick has served as the Advisory Councillor for Manitoulin for the past seven years, and has also served on the BFO Cow-Calf Committee in 2020 and 2021. He is also a board member of the Ontario Shorthorn Association where he has also served as vice president. 

Three year term ends in 2028.

Jairus, and his family, background and finish close to 3,000 head of cattle per year and farm 2,500 acres in Bruce County. They also operate a 300,000 bushel on-farm storage and elevator facility. Jairus has previous management experience in the insurance sector, and has also been a long-time member of the Bruce County Beef Farmers and local feeder cattle co-op. Jairus currently represents BFO on the National Cattle Feeders Association Board of Directors.

Three year term ends in 2026.

Tom farms with his brothers near Ailsa Craig, Ontario, where they have 2,000 head on feed at the home farm in addition to many custom fed cattle.  He is a past chair of the Veal Farmers of Ontario and during his tenure negotiated the change to the upper weight limit for veal. Tom is also a past Vice Chair of the Canadian Veal Association, and is currently a director on the Ontario Cattle Feeders' Association.

Three year term ends in 2027.

Denise Byers and her husband own and operate a 40  cow-calf to finish purebred Limousin herd in Durham Region. They focus on the production and sale of Limousin beef directly to the consumer, in addition to offering select breeding stock each year and also retaining replacement heifers to increase their herd numbers to meet the demand for their beef. Since 2018, they have transitioned away from cash-crop to focus on raising and marketing beef - their newly built on-farm market store and retail space is an exciting tribute to their progress and efforts with their direct marketing program. Denise is the vice president of the Cattle Producers of Durham Region, a director at large for Durham Farm Connections, and has also collaborated with BFO to host tours highlighting pasture management and educating culinary students on beef production.  

Three year term ends in 2028.

Kim Jo resides near Emo, Ontario where she has a 50-head cow-calf beef farm and a small sheep flock. In addition to juggling life on the farm and her job with the Ontario Crops Research Centre - Emo, operated by the University of Guelph, Kim Jo is also involved in many community organizations including the local hospital foundation and the Rainy River sales barn and abattoir.

Three year term ends in 2028.

Ralph and his family operate Eyre Farms Limited just outside Brigden, Ontario. The operation consists of 60 commercial cow-calf pairs where they background their own calves and either sell them as yearlings or finish them, depending on the market. The farm custom feeds about 1,800 steers each year in a new barn built in 2016, in addition to cash cropping approximately 2,000 acres. Over the years, Ralph has been involved with and held various positions with  a number of organizations both in the beef sector and the broader agricultural community, most notably the Lambton Cattlemen's Association, Lambton Beef Breeder Co-op, and the former Ontario Cattlemen's Association (now BFO).

Three year term ends in 2027.

Emily is a graduate of the University of Guelph and has a career in agriculture retail, which has allowed her to expand her knowledge of agriculture through crop inputs and animal nutrition. She is also an alumni of 4-H Ontario, and a former beef club leader in eastern Ontario. During her time with  BFO, she hopes to  celebrate the diversity of the Ontario beef sector and attract the next generation of beef enthusiasts.  Emily currently serves as President of the Canadian Cattle Youth Council.