Associates With Steve Meyer, 2017 Banff Pork Seminar Steve Meyer, Dr. Steve Meyer joined Kerns and Associates in January 2018 after serving as Vice President – Pork Analysis at EMI Analytics since May 2015. Dr. Meyer’s duties at Kerns and Associates include ongoing analysis of hog and pork markets and assisting Kerns clients (which now include the National Pork Board and National Pork Producers Council) in using his insights to successfully manage their businesses. He brings a wealth of experience in the livestock industry. His breadth of work in the pork industry is unique. Prior to his time at EMI Analytics, Dr. Meyer was President of Paragon Economics, Inc. where he also monitored and analyzed cattle, beef and poultry markets to meet the needs of his diverse set of clients. He served for 12 years as an author of The Daily Livestock Report sponsored by CME Group, an e-newsletter whose circulation grew steadily following its introduction in 2003. In addition, he writes a feature article for National Hog Farmer’s Weekly Preview e-letter that focuses on economic issues in North America’s swine/pork sector. Prior to founding Paragon Economics, Dr. Meyer served as Director of Economics for the National Pork Producers Council and National Pork Board from 1993 to 2002. Al Mussell, Guelph, is an independent Canadian agricultural economist and operates his own firm, Agri-Food Economic Systems. His areas of research expertise are farm management, agricultural marketing, and farm income policies. He also teaches finance and marketing to participants in the Centre's executive management programs. Al holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in agricultural economics from the University of Guelph, and a Doctorate in agricultural economics from the University of Minnesota, where he was a Fulbright Scholar. Aaron Canart, Aaron has been heavily involved in the livestock markets in both Canada and the United States for over 20 years. Starting his career with Agri Beef Co. based out of Boise Idaho, Aaron managed risk in both the feeder cattle and live cattle markets. As well as trading futures and managing market risk, Aaron has also been heavily involved in procurement of physical feeder and live cattle for Agri Beef Co. In 2020 Aaron went on his own and moved back to roots with his wife Brett and 4 children in Salmon Arm, British Columbia. He has continued to feed cattle personally in both Canada and the US and actively trades and manages risk using futures and options. Aaron has also established a company Bared Management, analyzing markets and managing risk for other independent cattle feeding companies in Canada and the US. Though his focus has evolved from a large corporate procurement and risk management position to an independent cattle feeder and risk manager, his passion for both market analysis and creative risk management strategies continues to fill his time. Willie Van Solkema, Willie has a long history of senior management experience in the Canadian beef packing industry. This management practice dates back to the mid-1980's with Canada Packers in Winnipeg and Calgary, through to Managing Director at Retail Ready Foods in 2018. The operation and manageral expertise includes Canadian Business Manager at Cargill Foods in High River, 1990-2004; President of sales/operations at XL Foods, 2004-2009; and President JBS Foods Canada, 2012-2014. Willie now works with the meat industry through his consulting firm, WVS Consulting. Publications Kevin Grier Market Analysis and Consulting offers four subscription reports that are focussed the Canadian cattle, hog, beef and chicken markets. Consulting Kevin Grier Market Analysis and Consulting works with your firm or organization to help you make informed decisions. Speaking Kevin has built a reputation across Canada and internationally for being a provocative, well informed, entertaining and independent public speaker offering a unique voice on industry issues and trends.