Olds College has a new manager of its Technology Access Centre for Livestock Production (TAC).
He is Sean Thompson. He began his new job April 15 and replaces Shannon Argent.
College officials say Thompson’s passion for the beef industry, along with his proven track record as a researcher, livestock specialist, and livestock feed and nutrition expert make him an ideal selection for the job.
“Sean is a valuable addition to the Olds College research team,” says Olds College Centre for Innovation (OCCI) manager Joy Agnew.
“His expertise in developing beef feed efficiency trials, interaction with producers and industry, and management in fee-for-service research with the Canadian Feed Research Centre (CFRC) provide a valuable combination of skills and experience that will help us grow our applied research program at the college.”
Thompson’s past research projects have typically related to product development, innovative feed processing technologies, feed ingredient registrations, nutritional evaluations using various animal models, and on-site operation consultations.
He also provided administration to the CFRC Industry Advisory Committee during his time working at the University of Saskatchewan, and maintains strong ties to both industry and the academic community across Western Canada.
“TAC offers resources and services to serve the needs of the beef industry. We work to support and advance every area of beef production, from seed stock, through cow-calf, and including feedlot and processing,” Agnew explains.
“Welcoming Sean to the Olds College research team will ensure that our services and facilities are flexible and responsive to the needs of the industry, so we can continue to offer a variety of applied research opportunities to producers.”
“I am excited to join the Olds College team,” Thompson says.
“The TAC offers a broad range of services and expertise to the livestock industry. I look forward to working with the team in order to further develop these services while continuing to serve as a valuable resource centre for industry to access.”
Thompson grew up immersed in the beef industry, growing up on a mixed farm that produces purebred Shorthorn cattle that have been sold across North America.
He attended the University of Manitoba, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. His Master’s project investigated the application of infrared thermography to measure heat loss from beef bulls as an indirect method for predicting feed efficiency.
