Dianne Finstad
Dianne Finstad
Our Master of Ceremonies and Chief Chicken Herder!
Dianne Finstad used her farm roots to build what's become a four decades long communications career in television, radio and writing, specializing in agriculture and rodeo coverage. She's based in the Red Deer area.
After working in both daily television and radio, Dianne is now a communications specialist, pursuing a wide variety of MC-ing, announcing and reporting opportunities. Dianne diversified her hosting skills during the pandemic, serving as an online moderator for a number of virtual events, including: the Livestock Care Conference, Advancing Women in Agriculture, Chops and Crops, and Farming Smarter. She’s also now hosting Frontline Farming Canada, a new television show on RFD-TV Canada.
Dianne is an active volunteer and a board director Westerner Park Ag Society, and a board member for Lakeland College.
Dianne Finstad
Our Master of Ceremonies and Chief Chicken Herder!
Dianne Finstad used her farm roots to build what's become a four decades long communications career in television, radio and writing, specializing in agriculture and rodeo coverage. She's based in the Red Deer area.
After working in both daily television and radio, Dianne is now a communications specialist, pursuing a wide variety of MC-ing, announcing and reporting opportunities. Dianne diversified her hosting skills during the pandemic, serving as an online moderator for a number of virtual events, including: the Livestock Care Conference, Advancing Women in Agriculture, Chops and Crops, and Farming Smarter. She’s also now hosting Frontline Farming Canada, a new television show on RFD-TV Canada.
Dianne is an active volunteer and a board director Westerner Park Ag Society, and a board member for Lakeland College.
Frank Mitloehner
UC Davis
Dr. Frank Mitloehner is a professor and air quality specialist in cooperative extension in the Department of Animal Science at UC Davis. As such, he shares his knowledge and research, both domestically and abroad, with students, scientists, farmers and ranchers, policy makers, and the public at large. Frank is also director of the CLEAR Center, which has two cores – research and communications. The CLEAR Center brings clarity to the intersection of animal agriculture and the environment, helping our global community understand the environmental and human health impacts of livestock, so we can make informed decisions about the foods we eat and while reducing environmental impacts.
UC Davis
Dr. Frank Mitloehner is a professor and air quality specialist in cooperative extension in the Department of Animal Science at UC Davis. As such, he shares his knowledge and research, both domestically and abroad, with students, scientists, farmers and ranchers, policy makers, and the public at large. Frank is also director of the CLEAR Center, which has two cores – research and communications. The CLEAR Center brings clarity to the intersection of animal agriculture and the environment, helping our global community understand the environmental and human health impacts of livestock, so we can make informed decisions about the foods we eat and while reducing environmental impacts.
Briana Hagen, MSc, PhD
Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph
Postdoctoral Fellow
After completing her Master’s of Science in Community Health and Epidemiology, Briana completed a PhD in the department of Population Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph, working under the supervision of Dr. Andria Jones-Bitton. Her PhD research involved using both quantitative and qualitative research methods to better understand mental health and well-being among Canadian farmers. Using both survey and qualitative data, she examined how farmers and their farms are impacted by mental health outcomes, with a focus on perceived stress and the barriers and facilitators of help-seeking for farmers. Briana is passionate about collaborative research approaches and building strong partnerships with the agriculture community to co-design research projects. After completing her PhD in July 2020, Briana began a Mitacs Elevate Post-Doctoral Fellowship to continue her investigations around farmer mental health in Canada.
Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph
Postdoctoral Fellow
After completing her Master’s of Science in Community Health and Epidemiology, Briana completed a PhD in the department of Population Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph, working under the supervision of Dr. Andria Jones-Bitton. Her PhD research involved using both quantitative and qualitative research methods to better understand mental health and well-being among Canadian farmers. Using both survey and qualitative data, she examined how farmers and their farms are impacted by mental health outcomes, with a focus on perceived stress and the barriers and facilitators of help-seeking for farmers. Briana is passionate about collaborative research approaches and building strong partnerships with the agriculture community to co-design research projects. After completing her PhD in July 2020, Briana began a Mitacs Elevate Post-Doctoral Fellowship to continue her investigations around farmer mental health in Canada.
Babak Sanei SANEI
ZOETIS CANADA
From 2003- 2011, Dr. Sanei worked as the Extension Poultry Veterinarian in Ontario for 8 years, directly supporting and interacting with the Ontario poultry industry.
In 2011, Dr. Sanei moved to Scotland and joined Aviagen UK and its veterinary department team.
Since 2013, Babak has been providing technical supports to poultry veterinarians and feed clients across Canada at Zoetis as Manager of Poultry Veterinary Services and is in charge of all technical aspects of poultry vaccines and medicated feed additives. Currently, Babak is in charge of National Business and Technical services- Poultry vaccines and Medicated Feed Additives.
ZOETIS CANADA
From 2003- 2011, Dr. Sanei worked as the Extension Poultry Veterinarian in Ontario for 8 years, directly supporting and interacting with the Ontario poultry industry.
In 2011, Dr. Sanei moved to Scotland and joined Aviagen UK and its veterinary department team.
Since 2013, Babak has been providing technical supports to poultry veterinarians and feed clients across Canada at Zoetis as Manager of Poultry Veterinary Services and is in charge of all technical aspects of poultry vaccines and medicated feed additives. Currently, Babak is in charge of National Business and Technical services- Poultry vaccines and Medicated Feed Additives.
Art van Zanten VanZanten
Trouw Nutrition Canada
Art was born and raised in Holland. After completing college he Immigrated to Canada. Where he has been employed in the Agriculture Service Industry ever since. Since 2011 the focus has been on servicing Poultry Accounts. Currently under the employment of Trouw Nutrition. In 2000 he was called to investigate high mortality on a hog farm which was caused by contaminated water. Water Quality investigation has been one of his passions ever since.
Trouw Nutrition Canada
Art was born and raised in Holland. After completing college he Immigrated to Canada. Where he has been employed in the Agriculture Service Industry ever since. Since 2011 the focus has been on servicing Poultry Accounts. Currently under the employment of Trouw Nutrition. In 2000 he was called to investigate high mortality on a hog farm which was caused by contaminated water. Water Quality investigation has been one of his passions ever since.
Perry Kaita
Steinbach Hatchery
General Manager
I am a second generation hatchery person. Grew up on a breeder farm when my father worked for Dyck’s Hatchery. He was involved in Leghorn hatching for over 30 years. I first worked for Feed Rite before starting my own hatchery in 1990 before moving over to Steinbach Hatchery in 1993 and performed sales and service before becoming GM 2 years ago after the passing of Jake Friesen.
Steinbach Hatchery
General Manager
I am a second generation hatchery person. Grew up on a breeder farm when my father worked for Dyck’s Hatchery. He was involved in Leghorn hatching for over 30 years. I first worked for Feed Rite before starting my own hatchery in 1990 before moving over to Steinbach Hatchery in 1993 and performed sales and service before becoming GM 2 years ago after the passing of Jake Friesen.
Victor Palomino
Poultry Health Services
Victor got his Veterinary degree from San Marcos University – Peru in 2006. After his graduation, he worked as a broiler field veterinarian and as a technical representative for the Peruvian pharmaceutical industry for 5 years. In 2011, he moved to USA to pursue a Master’s Degree in Veterinarian Biomedical Sciences at the University of Georgia. Following his interest in viral poultry diseases, he worked for 2 years at Lohmann Animal Health on poultry vaccines’ design and development. In 2015, Victor joined the University of Calgary (UofC) as part of a joint project sponsored by the Western Canada poultry industry and the Institute for Applied Poultry Technologies (IAPT). Victor recently completed his PhD at UofC under Dr. Careem’s supervision, with a project focused on diminishing the damaging effects that variant Avian Reovirus causes to the Western Canada Poultry industry. He has also worked with Chicken Astrovirus (CAstV), Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILTV), and Turkey Hemorrhagic Enteritis Virus (THEV).
As a member of the valuable PHS team, Victor contributes his knowledge in poultry diseases, vaccine development, virus isolation and sequencing, as well as designing new services and solutions for the Canadian Poultry industry.
Poultry Health Services
Victor got his Veterinary degree from San Marcos University – Peru in 2006. After his graduation, he worked as a broiler field veterinarian and as a technical representative for the Peruvian pharmaceutical industry for 5 years. In 2011, he moved to USA to pursue a Master’s Degree in Veterinarian Biomedical Sciences at the University of Georgia. Following his interest in viral poultry diseases, he worked for 2 years at Lohmann Animal Health on poultry vaccines’ design and development. In 2015, Victor joined the University of Calgary (UofC) as part of a joint project sponsored by the Western Canada poultry industry and the Institute for Applied Poultry Technologies (IAPT). Victor recently completed his PhD at UofC under Dr. Careem’s supervision, with a project focused on diminishing the damaging effects that variant Avian Reovirus causes to the Western Canada Poultry industry. He has also worked with Chicken Astrovirus (CAstV), Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILTV), and Turkey Hemorrhagic Enteritis Virus (THEV).
As a member of the valuable PHS team, Victor contributes his knowledge in poultry diseases, vaccine development, virus isolation and sequencing, as well as designing new services and solutions for the Canadian Poultry industry.
Frank Robinson
University of Alberta
Frank Robinson, Ph.D. is a Professor of Poultry Production and Physiology at the University of Alberta. He holds A B.Sc. in Agriculture (University of Saskatchewan), a M.Sc. in Poultry Science (Virginia Tech) and a Ph.D. in Animal Reproduction (University of Guelph). Since 1986 he has been teaching and conducting research in areas of animal and poultry science. Frank has researching reproductive efficiency of poultry, focusing on the roles of feed allocation and photoperiod on female broiler breeders. Through many endeavors in engaging undergraduate students in experiential learning, Frank has helped students find their careers in animal and poultry science. By active integration with industry people, thousands of students made valuable contacts and gained experience in agricultural communications and practical knowledge. In 2016 he initiated a 3-day mini-internship program which has resulted in 299 student placements on farms and in allied animal industries in Alberta. He has presented over 400 presentations on poultry management to producers, locally, nationally and internationally. Frank has served the University of Alberta in roles of Associate Dean (Faculty of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences; 2005-2008), and Vice-Provost and Dean of Students (2008-2014). He has presented over 400 presentations on poultry management to producers, locally, nationally and internationally. He was inducted into the Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame (2006), was awarded a 3M National Teaching Fellowship (2007) and is a Fellow of the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (2007) and the Poultry Science Association (2008).
University of Alberta
Frank Robinson, Ph.D. is a Professor of Poultry Production and Physiology at the University of Alberta. He holds A B.Sc. in Agriculture (University of Saskatchewan), a M.Sc. in Poultry Science (Virginia Tech) and a Ph.D. in Animal Reproduction (University of Guelph). Since 1986 he has been teaching and conducting research in areas of animal and poultry science. Frank has researching reproductive efficiency of poultry, focusing on the roles of feed allocation and photoperiod on female broiler breeders. Through many endeavors in engaging undergraduate students in experiential learning, Frank has helped students find their careers in animal and poultry science. By active integration with industry people, thousands of students made valuable contacts and gained experience in agricultural communications and practical knowledge. In 2016 he initiated a 3-day mini-internship program which has resulted in 299 student placements on farms and in allied animal industries in Alberta. He has presented over 400 presentations on poultry management to producers, locally, nationally and internationally. Frank has served the University of Alberta in roles of Associate Dean (Faculty of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences; 2005-2008), and Vice-Provost and Dean of Students (2008-2014). He has presented over 400 presentations on poultry management to producers, locally, nationally and internationally. He was inducted into the Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame (2006), was awarded a 3M National Teaching Fellowship (2007) and is a Fellow of the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (2007) and the Poultry Science Association (2008).
Mike Czarick
Department of Poultry Science – Engineer The University of Georgia
Education
M.S. Agricultural Engineering UGA 1986
B.S. Agricultural Engineering UGA 1983
1985 – Present UGA extension specialist UGA
Areas of Responsibility
Poultry house environmental control and energy conservation:
Broiler, breeder, layer, pullet, turkey, and quail house ventilation systems
Energy efficient poultry house heating systems
Poultry cooling systems (i.,e Tunnel ventilation, evaporative cooling systems)
Poultry house lighting systems
Poultry house air inlet systems
Circulation fan systems
Electronic environmental controller
Poultry house energy audits
Poultry house emissions
Poultry house construction
Poultry house data collection systems
Poultry processing plant holding sheds
Department of Poultry Science – Engineer The University of Georgia
Education
M.S. Agricultural Engineering UGA 1986
B.S. Agricultural Engineering UGA 1983
1985 – Present UGA extension specialist UGA
Areas of Responsibility
Poultry house environmental control and energy conservation:
Broiler, breeder, layer, pullet, turkey, and quail house ventilation systems
Energy efficient poultry house heating systems
Poultry cooling systems (i.,e Tunnel ventilation, evaporative cooling systems)
Poultry house lighting systems
Poultry house air inlet systems
Circulation fan systems
Electronic environmental controller
Poultry house energy audits
Poultry house emissions
Poultry house construction
Poultry house data collection systems
Poultry processing plant holding sheds