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about
The P.E.I. Cattle Producers (PEICP) has been the official voice for beef producers throughout Prince Edward Island for more than 40 years. The PEICP was originally formed in 1976 as the "PEI Cattlemen's Association", and is proud to continue to represent the interests of more than 400 members, provincially, regionally and nationally.
our mission & Goals
The mission of the Prince Edward Island Cattle Producers Association (PEICPA) is to promote and advance the interests of cattle producers on the island. The association aims to provide leadership and support to the beef industry through education, advocacy, marketing, and research. The PEICPA strives to improve the profitability and sustainability of the beef industry by enhancing the competitiveness of its members and working towards a shared vision for the future. The association also aims to foster positive relationships among its members, other industry stakeholders, and the wider community. Overall, the mission of the PEICPA is to be a strong and effective voice for the beef industry on Prince Edward Island.
As Island Beef Producers, our success is built on responsible and sustainable farming practices and will be continued by our sons and daughters. Here at the PEI Cattle Producers, we collaborate with all Maritime Producers and partners throughout the value chain.
Our Main Objectives:
Achieving sustainable incomes for Maritime Beef Producers and Partners
Securing stable processing partners and market options
Becoming focused and responsive to our customers and consumers
Building mutual respect and improving relationships in our communities
Attracting young and new farmers to our industry
The PEICP represents PEI's beef producers nationally through membership in the Canadian Cattlemen's Association (CCA) and regionally through the Maritime Beef Council (MBC). more...
The CCA is the national "voice" of Canada's 83,000 beef producers, the Canadian Cattlemen's Association (CCA) structure represents every phase of the production system; the purebred, cow/calf, backgrounding, and feedlot sectors. The CCA was founded by producers and is led by a producer-elected board of directors from across Canada. It works with other sectors of the agriculture and food industries on matters of mutual concern.
The PEICP also represents its members regionally on the Maritime Beef Council. This organization is made up of the beef cattle organizations of the three Maritime Provinces. Its main objective is to work collaboratively on issues that affect beef producers across the region.
Our Board
The business of the PEICP is handled by a six-member Board of Directors, an Ex-Officio representative from the board of Dairy Farmers of PEI and a part-time Office Administrator. Six producers, one from each of the three counties, and three at large, make up the Board. Each Director is elected for a three year term, renewable for a second term.​
PEICP Board of Directors
Dennis Hogan
Cow/Calf & Feedlot
Queens County, Past Chair
Dennis Hogan and his family preside over a magnificent Certified Island Beef farm with commanding views of the Northumberland Strait. Steering the enterprise, Dennis oversees both cow/calf and feedlot operations, managing a herd of 200 head.
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Complementing their livestock endeavors, Dennis cultivates barley, forages, and corn on the farm to sustainably feed their cattle. Additionally, they engage in soybean cultivation as a cash crop, enhancing the farm's economic resilience.
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Beyond his agricultural commitments, Dennis is a dedicated family man, happily married to his wife Nicolle with two teenage daughters Hannah and Sophia. In his community leadership roles, Dennis serves as the Chairman for the PEI Cattle Producers board and the Farm Practices Review Board advocating for the interests of local beef producers. Furthermore, he represents the PEICP by sitting on the PEI Agriculture Sector Council and the Maritime Beef Council boards, contributing valuable insights and expertise to industry-wide initiatives. Additionally, Dennis finds seasonal employment with the Provincial Government, further enriching his contributions to the community and agriculture sector. Through his multifaceted roles, Dennis exemplifies a steadfast commitment to the advancement and sustainability of Island beef farming.
Nick Green
Cow / Calf
At Large
In 2015, Nick embarked on a transformative journey, breathing new life into his family's cherished third-generation farm nestled in Kingston, PE. Today, under his stewardship, the farm has blossomed into a thriving 40-head cow-calf operation, marked by steady growth and expansion.
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Nick's commitment to sustainable agriculture is evident in his diverse approach to farming. While his primary focus remains on marketing feeder calves and offering pasture-raised, free-range freezer beef, he also oversees the care and management of chickens, turkeys, and swine. Continuously seeking innovative methods to optimize efficiency, Nick tirelessly works to minimize inputs and labor while maximizing the production of high-quality, weaned beef.
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Dedicated to the well-being of his livestock and the land they graze on, Nick adopts progressive grazing techniques year-round. From rotational grazing to corn grazing and stockpiling living forage, he explores unconventional feeding methods to enhance both productivity and sustainability. Not content with conventional practices alone, Nick actively participates in cover crop grazing trials with potato farmers, collaborating to assess the positive impact of cattle on soil health through rotational and mob grazing techniques. These efforts are complemented by meticulous soil biology assessments, facilitated by direct manure application from the cattle and supported by ongoing soil testing and yield comparisons conducted in partnership with the PEI Potato Board.
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Nick's lends his expertise to numerous boards, including the Maritime Beef Council and the Maritime Beef Test Station.
Bryce Drummond
Cow/Calf & Feedlot
Prince County
Bryce Drummond resides on the family farm in South Freetown with his wife Megan and
their children, Rynn and James. Collaboratively with Bryce's parents, they manage
Alelbria Farms, specializing in a commercial cow/calf herd. The beef operation is
comprised of 25 commercial cows paired with a purebred Simmental Bull. Bryce is
committed to implementing sustainable agricultural practices that enhance soil health
and provide optimal nutrition to the herd.
The family also manages Drummonds Christmas Tree Farm, a sprawling 12-acre
Balsam Fir tree plantation. Here, families can handpick and cut their own tree or opt for
a pristine precut selection.
While growing up in South Freetown, Bryce always had a passion for farming. In 2008,
he graduated from NSAC (now known as Dalhousie Agricultural College) with a
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business.
Off the farm, Bryce is Sales Manager for McCain Fertilizer on Prince Edward Island. He
is dedicated to working collaboratively with famers across PEI to develop sustainable
practices in maintaining and enriching crops on PEI. He holds the designation of
Certified Crop Advisor and is a proud member of the PEI Institute of Agrologists.
Kevin Simmons
Cow/Calf & Feedlot
Prince County
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Kevin Simmons, along with his wife Susan, manages a thriving cow-calf and feedlot enterprise nestled in the picturesque community of Irishtown. Motivated by a deep-seated desire to contribute to the welfare of fellow producers and fortify the industry, Kevin actively engages in various programs and initiatives.
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A passionate advocate for agriculture, Kevin channels his interests in camping, nurturing the next generation through 4-H, and exploring new destinations through traveling. Family holds a paramount place in his life, as evidenced by his cherished moments spent with his two grown daughters and six adored grandchildren.
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Kevin's commitment extends beyond his farm gates; he plays an integral role in several industry organizations. He lends his expertise to the CIB and VPB+ program, facilitating advancements within the agricultural community. Moreover, Kevin represents the PEI Cattle Producers as a dedicated member of the Maritime Beef Council Board, where he actively shapes the future of the region's beef industry. Additionally, he serves as the PEI representative on the esteemed CCA board, further solidifying his influence in agricultural policymaking and advocacy.
Greg Stavert
Feedlot & Potatoes
At-Large
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Greg Stavert, a fifth-generation farmer hailing from Freetown, P.E.I., is deeply entrenched in the agricultural landscape. At Stavert Farms Limited, Greg partners with his father and uncle in the cultivation of seed potatoes destined for local and domestic markets. Additionally, their operations include the nurturing of 175 natural Angus cattle and the management of a flock of free-run laying hens, showcasing their diverse agricultural endeavors.
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Greg's commitment to community engagement and market accessibility is evident through his involvement on the board of the Summerside Farmers Market. Here, he showcases and sells a variety of products, including eggs, meat chickens, and turkeys, fostering direct connections between producers and consumers.
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Beyond his local endeavors, Greg assumes a leadership role as the chairman of the Prince Edward Island Agriculture Sector Council, where he works collaboratively to address industry challenges and foster sustainable growth.
Jake MacKinnon
Cow/Calf
Kings County
Jake MacKinnon lives “up east” on his family farm in Selkirk, PEI. In The Red Farm runs a cow/calf herd of mostly Simmental and Angus, with a few other animals to fill out the “funny farm.” The farm also participates in sustainable woodlot management and wild blueberry production.
Jake’s main focus is learning to improve or experiment with new grazing practices and other pasture management; the farm has practiced rotational grazing to an extent for years, but has recently increased the frequency and priority of their pasture rotations; this has been supplemented by expanding into adopting new infrastructure and management practices.
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Jake enjoys engaging with the community, be it other producers or the wider public. The farm frequently hosts tours, along with regular communication and collaboration with other local farms. Beef producers in eastern PEI have a strong community, which Jake is fortunate to take part in.
With a background in watershed management, Jake is on the board of his local watershed group as well as the PEI Watershed Alliance to enhance collaboration between agriculture and environment. On-farm, this background lends itself to a small red oak nursery as well as a prioritization of habitat stewardship for local wildlife.
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Allan Larsen
Feedlot/Potatoes
At-Large, Chairman
Allan is a fourth-generation beef and potato farmer from Cape Traverse. He developed a passion for farming and cattle at a young age. He was a member of the Albany 4-H Club and had the opportunity to visit many farms in PEI and other provinces through travel opportunities with 4-H.
After graduating from Kinkora Regional High School, he went to NBCC in Miramichi to take the Heavy Equipment Diesel Mechanic Course. He returned home to the family farm and took over responsibilities of the cattle side of the operation and equipment maintenance. He also drives the potato digger during harvest season. Allan continues to try to improve efficiency and productivity on the family farm.
Gary Hughes, Dairy Farmers of PEI Representative
Dairy Farmers of PEI
Ex Officio
Gary is a staunch advocate for equality and inclusivity within the dairy industry, championing farms of all sizes and levels of experience. He firmly believes in nurturing the next generation of farmers, recognizing the importance of youth involvement in securing the industry's future. Actively engaged in 4-H and his local community, Gary is dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for aspiring agriculturalists.
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Gary and his wife, Kelly, proudly represent the first generation of farmers in their family, hailing from Kelly’s Cross. Their commitment to farming is evident in the active involvement of all their children—Matt, Grace, Jamie, and Katie—in various aspects of farm life.
In line with his dedication to diversification and forward-thinking, Gary is exploring the addition of a small purebred herd of beef cattle to complement their existing dairy operations, signaling an eye towards retirement planning and farm sustainability.
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In his capacity as treasurer for Dairy Farmers of PEI, Gary plays a crucial role in financial management and decision-making within the organization. Additionally, he lends his expertise to the PEI Cattle Producers and the PEI Federation of Agriculture boards, representing the dairy sector's interests and contributing to broader agricultural initiatives on the island. Gary's multifaceted involvement underscores his commitment to advancing the dairy industry and supporting the agricultural community as a whole.