Meet & Greet with MBFI's Full Time Staff

On today’s episode, we are introducing the full time staff at MBFI whose dedication and hard work makes the projects, data collection and project results possible.

Clayton Robins operates a mixed family farm in Rivers, Manitoba with a primary focus on beef production.  At the present time the operation includes; cow/calf, back-grounding, and custom grazing. The operation included sheep production for about 30 years, until 2009.

Clayton graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and then spent over 20 years with Agriculture and Agri Food Canada Research Branch in Brandon studying beef and forage production: including extending the grazing season, forage-based finishing, greenhouse gas mitigation, modeling, cultivar development, and energetic efficiencies. Through this has co-authored a number of scientific papers. Clayton also served as the Executive Director of Manitoba 4-H Council for 7 years. Clayton is currently employed with Manitoba Beef and Forage Initiatives, working to support research and extension projects.

Clayton spent several years working on Ag industry development as a member of numerous Boards and committees. Through coaching sport, volunteer time and Board positions with Ag in the Classroom, Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba and other such youth education programs, youth development has been and continues to be an important part of his private life. 

In 2013, Clayton was awarded one of the Nuffield Canada Scholarships, touring the world to study the potential for energy-dense forages in the Canadian beef production model and has since delivered presentations on the concept in 8 countries.

Born in Windsor Ontario, Judah Logan’s early childhood was spent on the rural outskirts of Kingston township: where—through neighbors—Judah had regular exposure to dairy and mixed farming—including beekeeping, and maple syrup production.  After an unexpected move to Kingston from middle school through high school, he reluctantly lost touch with the day-to-day routines of farming life.  As a young adult, Judah studied undergraduate Arts at the University of Western Ontario, Computer Science at U of T, and recently completed the intensive 2 year Communications Engineering Technology diploma program at Assiniboine College in Brandon.  Judah says it is a pleasure to be working at MBFI where he can revisit his childhood dream with a superlatively qualified staff, 2 great farm locations, and 3 friendly felines to keep him company.

Lauren McKee grew up on a family farm southeast of Minnedosa on a mixed beef and grain operation.  Her family also raises Suffolk Punch draft horses. Growing up, she was heavily involved with all aspects of the farm and she continues to help when possible with the livestock or in the field. Lauren began working at MBFI as a summer student for 3 consecutive summers starting in 2020, where she practiced her skills and learned new things about the world of beef and forage research. Lauren attended the University of Saskatchewan and completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture, majoring in Animal Science. This is where Lauren met her professor, Dr. Bart Lardner, and was awarded the opportunity to work for him in the summer and fall of 2024. Lauren was able to grow her passion for beef research and landed back at MBFI in a full time position as the Beef Research Technician. Lauren is excited for her future in agriculture and the continuing opportunities to grow her knowledge and skills in the industry! 

Josie Pedersen grew up on her family’s commercial cow-calf operation near Neepawa, Manitoba, where they raised primarily Simmental-Angus cattle. She spent much of her youth involved in the Neepawa 4-H Beef Club and exploring different agricultural experiences—whether working at the local veterinary clinic or traveling on agriculture-focused trips with the Rotary Club and Encounters with Canada in Ottawa.

After high school, Josie pursued a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan, specializing in Animal Science with a focus on cattle production and rangeland management. During her summers, she gained hands-on experience at Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives (MBFI), first as a Summer Research Assistant and later as an Extension Student.

In January 2024, Josie returned to MBFI full-time as the Extension Coordinator. She now lives near Wawanesa, Manitoba, on her partner’s mixed cattle and grain operation, raising commercial and purebred black angus cattle. 

The research programs and daily operations at MBFI would not be possible without the funding from the Province of Manitoba, Government of Canada, and Canadian Agricultural Partnership, as well as the partnership with Manitoba Agriculture, Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) and Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC).

We encourage you to follow MBFI on social media, or check out the website for more information on project findings and results, upcoming events and more!

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Website: www.mbfi.ca 

Email address: information@mbfi.ca