On Wednesday January 20, 2010, Duane Thompson of Kelliher, Saskatchewan was awarded the 2010 Producer Extension Award at the Saskatchewan Beef and Forage Symposium.  The award is given each year to a member of the beef and forage community who has demonstrated exemplary effort in the extension of information to producers.
 
Duane Thompson earned his Agriculture Diploma in 1987 following which, he returned to the family farm that he now operates in partnership with his father David, his mother Carol and his wife Paula.  Tee Two Cattle Company runs a mixed farm with 700 commercial cows and a 2000 head feedlot on a land base of approximately 5,900 acres. 
 
Duane's keen interest in innovation resulted in his early adoption several practices including, intensive rotational grazing, pasture water pipelines, alfalfa grazing, alfalfa in crop rotations, grazing and feeding crop residues for wintering their beef cow herd and swath grazing.  Additional to his adoption of these strategies, Duane has been willing to share his experiences with other beef and forage producers in dozens of presentations at workshops and seminars across Saskatchewan and Manitoba.   
 
Duane has been actively involved in the beef and forage industry in Saskatchewan as a past director for the Saskatchewan Stock Grower's Association, the Saskatchewan Forage Council and he is currently a director for the Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association.  He and his family are involved in a number of community associations including the Carlton Trail Rodeo Association and their local 4-H club.  In 2005, Tee Two Cattle Company was awarded the Commercial Producer of the Year Award by the Saskatchewan Angus Association.
 
Congratulations Duane and thank you for sharing your experiences with beef and forage producers to help them refine their management practices.  We look forward to hearing more from you in the future!

Paul Jefferson (R) presents the Producer Extension award to Duane Thompson (L) at the 2010 Saskatchewan Forage and Beef Symposium.