Associates

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.  

Steve Dziver 

Steve Dziver is the owner and president of True Ag Developments, a software consulting firm based in Winnipeg, Manitoba focused on agribusiness risk and margin management. 

Steve has spent the last 24 years specializing in livestock and grain risk management providing services to independent farm organizations and corporate businesses across Canada and the US Midwest.

Steve grew up on a grain farm in rural Manitoba before moving to Winnipeg where he acquired a Bachelor of Science undergraduate degree from the University of Manitoba in the Faculty of Agriculture and designation with the Canadian Securities Institute.

Most of Steve’s time is focused on supporting individual producers by providing them with tools to make well-informed decisions. 

Steve is highly involved in price discovery and negotiations of specific commodities including isoweans and feeder pigs, market hogs, feed stuffs and field crops. 

Steve continues to be actively involved in the exploration for improved pricing methodology for grain and livestock producers.