Tyler and Dorelle Fulton of Birtle, Manitoba area have been chosen as the province’s 2013 Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF). The beef farmers operate their cow/calf operation with a farming philosophy based on balance, and will represent Manitoba at the Outstanding Young Farmers national event later this year.
Manitoba’s Outstanding Young Farmers, Tyler and Dorelle Fulton, receiving their award from the Honourable Minister of Agriculture Food and Rural Iniatives Ron Kostyshyn.
The Fulton’s were named at a recent OYF event held at Elkhorn Resort, attended by Honourable Ron Kostyshyn, Manitoba’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives; MP Robert Sopuck, MLA Stu Briese and Manitoba 4-H Council Executive Coordinator Clayton Robbins. The other honourees included beef producers Allan and Carolyn Nyloliation from Crandal, organic beef producer Bryce Lobrea from Pipestone, and dairy farmers Steven Boerchers and Ellen Gorter from Beausejour.
“Successful farm businesses depend on continuous innovation while managing undue risk,” says Steven Snider, OYF regional chair representative. “Tyler and Dorelle are off to a strong start with their operation as they keep these principles in mind every day. This approach bodes well for their family farm, and exemplifies why they have joined the ranks of Canada’s outstanding young farmers.”
For the past six years, the Fulton’s have been operating their farm as a joint venture with Tyler’s parents. Their 450-cow beef herd is balanced with a backgrounding beef lot and hay export business.
Raised on a mixed beef, grain and strawberry farm, Tyler was influenced at an early age by his parents’ work with the cattle producers’ association and farm debt review board. After graduating from the University of Manitoba (BSc in Agribusiness) in 1999, he worked in risk management for 10 years, and continues in a part-time role with H@MS Marketing Services, developing tools and strategies to help hog producers manager market price risk. Dorelle was raised in Winnipeg, and started her professional career there as a chartered accountant. Like Tyler, she continues part-time, off-farm work as a financial advisor with Parks Canada.
The Fulton’s farming philosophy of balance includes three key areas – balancing family and work, environmental and economic sustainability, and risk management and operational innovation. In addition to raising their five-year-old twins Evan and Mae, Tyler and Dorelle round out their farm operation with community involvement that includes the local school and library boards.
Celebrating 33 years of identifying great agricultural successes, Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers’ program is an annual competition to recognize farmers that exemplify excellence in their profession and promote the tremendous contribution of agriculture. Open to participants 18 to 39 years of age, making the majority of income from on-farm sources, participants are selected from seven regions across Canada, with two national winners chosen each year. The program is sponsored nationally by CIBC, John Deere, Bayer CropScience, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and supported nationally by AdFarm and Farm Management Canada.
Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2013 will be chosen at the National Event in Regina, Saskatchewan from November 12-17, 2013.
