The first recipient of a new award created in memory of former Canadian Cattle Association president Reg Schellenberg was announced last week at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference in Calgary, Alta.
The Reg Schellenberg Next Generation Legacy Award was presented to veterinarian Dr. Carling Matejka of Ponoka, Alberta.
The award was established with donations made to the Canadian Cattle Foundation and a contribution from the Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference following Schellenberg’s sudden passing last December.
Each year, a Canadian Young Leaders program graduate will be selected to receive the award. CYL participants are asked to nominate one of their peers based on criteria built by the Schellenberg family, including but not limited to being a positive, humble leader with the ability to bring people together to achieve a common goal, and being an overall exceptional ambassador of the Canadian beef industry.
“Raising cattle is our way of life, and the people of the beef industry have become like family to us,” said Shannon Schellenberg, Reg’s wife. “On behalf of our family, thank you to the Canadian Cattle Foundation and Canadian Cattle Young Leaders Program for working with us to honour Reg’s legacy and his contributions to build a strong industry for the next generation.”
Matejka’s award included a belt buckle donated by the Schellenberg family ranch, and a travel bursary to attend the 2024 Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference.
Anyone interested in contributing to the Reg Schellenberg Next Generation Legacy Award or in partnering with the Canadian Cattle Foundation is asked to contact [email protected].
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