The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) is well known and respected for not only their research programs, but extension as well.
The BCRC’s vision is for a transparent, competitive, resilient and sustainable Canadian beef industry supported by strategic and effective research, technology transfer and innovation; with that in mind it’s no wonder that the BCRC’s Beef Researcher Mentorship Program is now celebrating its 10th year.
The program, originally launched in 2014, was inspired by the need for stronger connections between researchers and industry. With many new researchers not coming from a farm background, or being unfamiliar with Canadian production, BCRC established the mentorship program in order to bridge the gap between science and production.
Not only does the Beef Researcher Mentorship Program build the skills and networks that are necessary for researchers to lead applied technology transfer initiatives, but it also gives producers the opportunity to benefit from the expertise of researchers, says BCRC.
Mentees of the program receive a travel bursary, allowing them to attend industry conferences, workshops and farm tours, while mentors in the program guide researchers by building their knowledge, skills and professional networks, while identifying opportunities to support their career goals.
“Through the mentorship program, we’ve been able to bridge that gap between science and production, equipping researchers with tools to push the industry’s goals forward while improving sustainability and competitiveness,” says Andrea Brocklebank, executive director of the BCRC.
