Ottawa, ON – Chris Crump of Middlesex County, Ontario, was awarded the B.W. Kennedy Memorial Award at the annual general meeting for the Canadian Centre for Swine Improvement (CCSI), held virtually on July 8, 2020. CCSI presents this award to recognize individuals who, through their involvement in scientific research, program development or program implementation, have made a significant contribution to the Canadian Swine Improvement Program and swine industry.
Chris has had a long and varied career in agriculture that has had an influential impact on swine and animal genetics in Canada. Chris is a graduate of the University of Guelph and Olds College in Alberta. Together with his wife Vivian, he farms in Middlesex County where he has run a dairy herd and more recently is running his operation as a beef and cash crop farm. His off-farm activities have included starting his own soil testing business, testing purebreds on the Canadian Swine Improvement Program, working for Quality Swine and Ontario Swine Improvement, and running his own ultrasound business for pregnancy and yield testing for many producers and genetic companies. Chris has been an influential player in the swine industry by providing essential data that is used in genetic advancement. Chris is a Level 2 Ultrasound Technician which allows him to train and accredit other technicians and he has likely trained more technicians and scanned more animals in Canada than any other technician, perhaps the most in North America and the World! He has trained people around the world in scanning, animal breeding and production techniques through his different swine genetics consulting ventures with many of the Canadian exporting companies as well as his own consulting company. Chris frequently hosts visitors from around the world at his home who have come to Canada to learn more about our swine production and genetics programs. He has great relationships with different Canadian genetics companies, the Arkell swine team at the University of Guelph and the Ridgetown campus. Chris has been active in 4-H as a youth leader and livestock show judge at many county shows and fairs including the Royal Agricultural Barrow show. He is involved in many county producer groups including his local Middlesex County association and has been a past Chairman of the Pork Congress.
Besides his contributions to swine genetics and the agriculture industry, Chris is a serial entrepreneur. From his ultrasound and animal testing business, to consulting and education services to most recently starting an excavation business and planning an on-farm direct meat sale business. Along with many skills that Chris possesses, it should be noted that he is a professional beer taster and an all around fun guy to be around. He had made many people smile with his huge presence.
CCSI would like to take this opportunity to thank Chris Crump for his contribution of knowledge and his dedication to the Canadian Pork Industry and congratulate him as this year’s recipient of the B.W. Kennedy Memorial Award.
The Canadian Centre for Swine Improvement was created by the Canadian Pork Industry to provide leadership, coordination and services for swine genetic improvement. Its members are the regional swine improvement centers in Western Canada, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada, the Canadian Pork Council, the Canadian Meat Council, the Canadian Swine Breeders Association and users of the Canadian Swine Improvement Program.
Source : CCSI