AUGUST 19, 1932 – FEBRUARY 12, 2018
Dedicated 4-H volunteer; dairy cattle consultant. Born Aug. 19, 1932; died Feb. 12, 2018, age 85, in Fergus, Ont.
In his 2010 Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame citation, Bertram Stewart is described as a “pioneer in preparing and exhibiting dairy cattle.”
After learning of Stewart’s recent passing, Semex CEO Paul Larmer described Stewart in a statement as “an international icon.”
His early experiences showing cattle in Halton Region led to Stewart’s career as an adviser to some of the world’s best known dairy herds, daughter Lynne Stewart Moore said in an interview.
He may be most remembered, however, for his over 48 years as a volunteer with 4-H. Even in his final year of life after diagnosis with colon cancer, he made a point to attend 4-H shows in the fall at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto and World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis.
After she took over as executive director at 4-H Ontario, Debra Brown came to know Stewart for his “great impact on decades of 4-H youth members.” He taught the fine points of judging cattle in the provincewide intercounty judging competition.
“He was never more inspired by anybody than by a youth who wanted to do better,” Stewart Moore said. “When they tried hard and he suggested something and they did it, it really inspired him.”
4-H Ontario photo
Written by Jim Algie.
Originally published in the May 2018 edition of Better Farming.