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

Meeka Capozzalo

OPIC Representative

Jeff MacDougald

OPIC Representative

Rich Goodhand

Industry Representative

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