Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week has been a main stay for the agricultural industry in Grey and Bruce Counties since 1966. The featured commodities have evolved as the area’s agricultural focus has changed, but the mandate to provide information to producers and agribusiness has remained firm.
Producers have supported our programming for 54 years, so the committee would like to give back to the community. With that mandate in mind, the Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week Committee has established an annual $1000 Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week Prize in conjunction with the University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary College (OVC), to recognize new veterinarians entering food animal practices serving producers in Grey and Bruce Counties. This award recognizes the individual’s past accomplishments, but also encourages their future contributions, and commitment to our rural communities.
On June 20, 2020, at the OVC Class of 2020 virtual Veterinary Oath Ceremony, it was announced that Dr. Jacques Van Zyl was the recipient of the GBFW award. Jacques was the recipient of a total of three awards. Jacques was born in South Africa. When he was quite young, his family moved to the small farming town of Canora Saskatchewan, where they backgrounded cattle and had a small chicken flock. He spent his childhood fishing and helping on the farm. On weekends, he enjoyed going to rodeos in the small communities across the prairies. Mutton busting was a crowd favourite! The Van Zyl family moved to Ontario when Jacques was in grade four. He was always very intrigued with the idea of being a veterinarian and working in a rural setting. His initial interest was wildlife, and he worked for a year in conservation. He also spent time working on a family member’s farm in South Africa, where they farmed rare game. After spending time with a veterinarian in South Africa, and darting animals from helicopters, he decided to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. Jacques says that being a large animal veterinarian suits his personality. He likes the physical aspect of having to wrestle a steer when necessary. Jacques added that being out on the road in the countryside is a hard office to beat. Jacques finds it rewarding to help producers, as veterinarians are directly influencing the farmers’ livelihoods. Jacques thought about moving back to South Africa and working there, but his wife is from Grey county, and they love this area too much to move away. He is currently working for both a large animal clinic and a small animal clinic. The large animal clinic that has hired him is Metzger Veterinary Services. He is based out of their Chesley clinic. Jacques is really look forward to interacting with the producers that he knows from his childhood. Being able to help them now as a veterinarian will be very rewarding. He also looks forward to meeting new farmers and starting his career in the area. Please welcome Jacques when you see him, and congratulate him on being this year’s recipient of our award.
The Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week Committee congratulates Dr. Jacques Van Zyl, and wishes him all the best in his future endeavours!
source: media release, Grey County Agricultural Services
