For Immediate Release April 7th, 2010

Bison Producers of Alberta elect new Chair and new Vice-Chair

At the March Conference Call Meeting for Bison Producers of Alberta, the Board of Directors elected a new Chair and a new Vice-Chair.

Replacing Tom Olson as Chair of the BPA is Marvin Moore, a Director who operates KLB Bison Ranch at DeBolt, AB, 60 kilometers east of Grande Prairie. Marvin and wife Fran maintain a herd of 190 cows, in addition to a backgrounding and feedlot operation. KLB Bison Ranch markets in the United States and Canada, and are actively involved in all aspects of both production and marketing.

Mr. Moore is a former Minister of Agriculture for the Province of Alberta, having served in five different cabinet positions from 1975 to 1989 including Agriculture, Municipal Affairs, Transportation, Hospitals and Medical Care and Solicitor General.
Marvin and Fran decided to go into the Bison Business in 1993 after having grown grain, Canola and forage seeds for many years. They have since become a major source of Breeding Bulls and high quality female stock.

When asked why he chose to serve on the Board of the Bison Producers of Alberta, Mr. Moore stated, "I believe the BPA can play a greater role in communicating the concerns and objectives of Bison Producers to the Government of Alberta and its agencies. The Bison industry also plays a key role in the continued growth and diversification of the entire Alberta Livestock and Meat Industry."

New to the BPA Board and position of Vice-Chair is Thomas Ackerman - CEO and Marketing Director for Canadian Rangeland Bison, based in Lacombe, AB. A 100% Canadian family-owned company, Canadian Rangeland markets premium bison and elk meat domestically as well as into Europe and the Middle East. Thomas, who holds a master's degree in livestock science, worked for 10 years as a provincial livestock specialist and instructor at an Agricultural College, before taking over the CEO position there. He currently operates a specialty crop farm near Lacombe, and manages a 1000 head bison feeding station.

Mr. Ackerman is a committed promoter of a strong Canadian Bison industry, and feels the BPA plays a pivotal role in lobbying for the producers' interest at the Government level. "It's essential that all efforts are made to build the foundation for a sustainable bison industry, including all links of the value chain from producer to processor and marketer. The BPA is the united voice of the individual producer".

In addition to the new BPA Chair, Marvin Moore and new Vice-Chair, Thomas Ackerman, incumbent Directors include Gil Hegel (Bison Producer and businessman, Valhalla Centre), James Goransrud (Bison Producer and local businessman, Camrose), Margaret Kellgren (Bison Producer, Drayton Valley), Troy Hanson (Bison Producer , Valhalla Centre), and Tom Olson (Bison Producer and businessman, Calgary).

Further information regarding the Bison Industry may be obtained from Linda Sautner, Office Manager, Bison Producers of Alberta at 4603-61st Avenue, Leduc, Alberta - phone 780-986-4100.

How often have you come up with a new idea or concept that you believe will improve your operation, cut costs, increase profit margins and benefit not only your own customers or clients - but perhaps even the entire industry?