Cam Farrell

Ontario Pork Representative, Chair

Cam grew up on a mixed hog and beef farm in eastern Ontario.  After graduating from the University of Guelph in 1995 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Ag Business, he started working in the hog division of Cold Springs Farm. In 2006, Cold Springs was purchased by Maple Leaf Foods and he became the Production Manager for the Maple Leaf hog division, Elite Swine Ontario. In 2008, Paragon Farms was formed to purchase the Ontario hog assets from Maple Leaf, and Cam has been the Director of Production for Paragon Farms since inception. He has been involved in both the Ontario Swine Health Advisory Board/Swine Health Ontario and the Science and Technology Committee for a number of years.

Dr. Clint Lichty

DVM, Industry Representative, Vice-Chair

Clint grew up taking care of pigs and beef cattle on his family’s Wellington County farm. Before vet school, Clint spent 3 years in the BSc. Agr. program at the University of Guelph. He graduated from OVC in 2016, started as an associate vet with South West Ontario Veterinary Services and then became a partner in 2018. Clint, his wife Emily, their two little girls, live in the little hamlet of Hesson. Clint is involved in his church and enjoys a wide range of sports and hobbies.   

Dr. Catherine Templeton

DVM, Industry Representative

Dr. Catherine Templeton earned a B. Sc. (Agr.) and a D.V.M. at the University of Guelph. Cathy went on to complete her MBA at Guelph in 2009. Cathy has extensive experience in both pork production management and swine health management. She established Maitland Swine Services in Listowel, Ontario and in 2010 Maitland Swine Services amalgamated with South West Ontario Veterinary Services. Cathy has served as President of the Ontario Association of Swine Veterinarians (OASV), a Director for the Canadian Association of Swine Veterinarians (CASV) and as a CASV representative on the Research Committee of the Canadian Swine Health Board. She also is a member of the Ontario Swine Health Advisory Board.

Jessica Bickle

Industry Representative

Jessica was raised on a cash crop operation in Oxford county.  Prior to graduating from the University of Guelph with a degree in Agriculture and Environmental Management, she worked as a research assistant for Pioneer Hi-Bred.  Post-graduation, Jessica worked as an independent crop advisor, before farming full time with her husband, Scott Nyenhuis.  Together Scott and Jessica, and their three children, operate an organic farrow to finish operation in Grey county.

Bruce Hudson

Ontario Pork Representative

Bruce Hudson owns and operates a 7th generation family farm in Ottawa with 175 sows farrow to finish and 1200 acres of crops. Bruce is completing his fourth year on the Ontario Pork Board and is currently the Vice-Chair. Bruce and his wife have 3 daughters and 4 grandchildren. During the summer, they sell sweet corn and vegetables roadside. e has a keen interest in all sports, especially the Ottawa Senators and Redblacks.

Dr. Meeka Capozzalo

PhD, OPIC Representative

Meeka Capozzalo earned a Bachelor of Animal Science (Hons) and Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Western Australia. She then worked as a Research Officer at the Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia before completing her PhD at Murdoch University focused on immunonutrition of weaner pigs. After graduation, Meeka then worked as a Global Technical Manager for nutritional feed additives which allowed her to learn more about different production systems and regulatory environments. In 2018,  Meeka moved to Ontario to re-focus on the swine industry and works as Manager, Nutrition and Production Research at Molesworth Farm Supply and serves on the OPIC Board.

John Otten

OPIC Representative

Rich Goodhand

Industry Representative

Rich Goodhand has 18+ years in the swine industry and currently works for ADM Animal Nutrition as a Regional Account Manager supporting all the feed mills in Ontario. Prior to ADM, Rich worked for 16 years with Trouw Nutrition/Shur-Gain as a Swine Specialist and Swine Sales Manager. Rich is also a member of the South West Ontario Pork Conference Committee.

Dr. Christa Arsenault

DVM, OMAFRA Ex-Officio Representative

Christa is the Lead Veterinarian for Provincial Biosecurity in the Animal Health and Welfare Branch, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Christa is the OMAFRA co-lead for the Ontario Animal Health Swine Network (OAHN). She has been involved in the swine industry since graduating from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2006. She has worked in private practice, as well as with both the federal government working for Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and provincial government working for OMAFRA over the span of her career. She is currently the President of the Ontario Association of Swine Veterinarians (OASV).

Frank Wood

Ontario Pork Ex-Officio Representative

Frank and his team work together as a liaison between producers and Ontario Pork by establishing effective, cooperative business relationships with producers and their associations. The team is responsible for implementing national programs, assisting producers in adopting new technologies; and communicating current industry challenges to producers, associations and industry partners. 

Jessica Fox

MSc, Swine Health Ontario Manager

Jessica Fox attended the University of Guelph, receiving her BSc in Animal Biology (2007) and MSc in Animal Behaviour and Welfare (2013) related to hot weather transport of hogs. She is a PAACO certified auditor for both red meat and poultry operations. Her career experiences have included slaughter operations, producer services, hog logistics, animal welfare and meat quality.

Emma Payne

OPIC Managing Director

Emma Payne grew up on a 350 farrow-to-finish swine operation in Perth County and graduated from the University of Guelph in 2016. Emma has built a robust career in the swine industry, having worked with Ontario Pork, Conestoga Meats, and C.I. Hishon. She is currently the Managing Director of OPIC. Emma lives in Mitchell with her husband, Scott, and their two children. With experience in strategic planning and organizational leadership, she brings a collaborative approach to her work and enjoys spending her free time working with various local associations within her community.