The Canadian Cattle Young Leaders (CYL) Program is a national youth initiative of the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA).

The mentorship program will see each of 16 finalists paired up with an experienced industry leader for a nine-month mentorship in their specific area of interest.

Olivia Woytiuk from Shell Lake earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Science at South Dakota State University, where she was also on the school’s livestock judging team. Olivia is back on the family purebred Simmental farm at Shell Lake, and also works as a livestock inspector in the northwest.

The mentors have not been announced, but Olivia has a couple of areas of interest.

The second CYL finalist is Jessica Davey, who’s family has a cattle operation about half-an-hour southwest of Saskatoon in the Pike Lake area. She is also the stakeholder engagement co-ordinator with the Saskatchewan Cattle Association. We asked about her goals for the mentorship program

Jessica is also participating in another mentorship program—this one through Canadian Western Agribition.

In addition to the mentorship, the Canadian Cattle Young Leaders Program also includes a $3,000 budget for beef industry travel and learning opportunities.

You can listen to CJWW Radio Agriculture Director Neil Billinger’s full interviews with Olivia and Jessica below.

(Olivia Woytiuk-photo courtesy of Canadian Cattle Association)

(Jessica Davey-photo courtesy Canadian Cattle Association)