The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on August 18 as part of the Canadian Beef Industry Conference in Winnipeg, MB.
An interim report on the CRSB’s Sustainability Strategy was released, providing an update on industry-wide progress report toward CRSB’s sustainability strategic actions and research priorities. The report highlights gaps and reinforces the importance of ongoing collaboration to advance sustainability outcomes through to 2030; it includes projects and initiatives identified through submissions to the CRSB Projects and Initiatives Database by CRSB members and industry stakeholders.
The annual business meeting included reports from committees and Council on CRSB’s progress this year. Results of the CRSB’s Council elections, carried out electronically earlier this year, were announced (see page three), including the election of a new Council Chair.
Renewing its Business Strategy and Plan is a priority for the CRSB in 2026; members discussed the organizations’ goals and objectives for the next three years at the AGM.
The AGM also welcomed several speakers, including youth perspectives from the leadership table with Laura Buss, CRSB’s first Youth Councilor, and an update from the US Roundtable for Sustainable Beef.
For the third year, the CRSB awarded two graduate student sponsorships, providing them with an opportunity to attend the CRSB AGM and Canadian Beef Industry Conference, present their work, engage with CRSB members, and expand their networks across the Canadian beef community. Through the Scientific Advisory Committee, with a record-breaking 23 submissions and competitive review process, six finalists were interviewed and two outstanding students, Katie Kroeze (PhD student from the University of Guelph) and Morgan Lehmann (M.Sc. student from the University of Saskatchewan), were selected. CRSB appreciates the generous financial support of Merck Animal Health and McDonald’s Canada for sponsoring the student competition.
“This AGM marks the end of my term as Chair. It has been an honour to serve this organization and its membership,” says Ryan Beierbach, Chair of the CRSB since 2022). “I am proud of what we have accomplished together and confident in where the CRSB is headed. The work continues, and it is in good hands.”
“I am honoured by the confidence CRSB members have placed in me to lead the CRSB. As a beef producer, I understand firsthand the commitment, care and innovation that producers bring to this industry every day. I look forward to working with our members and partners across the beef value chain to continue advancing sustainability, strengthening collaboration and supporting a resilient future for Canadian beef,” says Andrea Stroeve-Sawa – elected CRSB Chair on August 18, 2026.