USask Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence hires new director
Dr. Scott Wright (PhD) has been selected to lead the University of Saskatchewan’s Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence as director, effective May 19.
Wright succeeds Dr. Bruce Coulman (PhD), whose last day as interim LFCE director is May 28, enabling a week and a half transition period.
“The LFCE is a world-class research centre that has a critical role in the university’s agriculture-focused research, teaching and outreach initiatives,” said Dr. Angela Bedard-Haughn (PhD), dean of the College of Agriculture and Bioresources. “We’re excited to welcome Scott Wright and thank Bruce Coulman for his steadfast leadership during the interim period.”
Wright’s career started in beef and forage research. Over the years he has held numerous prominent leadership positions in agriculture, including executive director of the USask Feeds Innovation Institute and director positions with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
“I am pleased to be coming home to the University of Saskatchewan, home to forage and beef research, and home to producers in Saskatchewan,” said Wright.
Wright obtained his master’s degree in animal science and his PhD degree in plant breeding from USask. Since 2013, he has worked at the Star Group, an organization comprised of boutique companies that specialize in different sectors of the fresh produce industry. He held the positions of senior vice-president, head grower and interim general manager at Star Group before joining the LFCE.
“Scott is an excellent addition to the LFCE,” said Bedard-Haughn. “He brings tremendous enthusiasm, expertise in the beef and forage industry, and extensive leadership experience from both the private and government sectors.”
Wright will jointly report to Bedard-Haughn and Dr. Gillian Muir (DVM, PhD), interim dean of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. Both deans oversee the centre on behalf of the university’s vice-president research.
“We look forward to working with Scott and his team and supporting the LFCE’s goal of generating practical, profitable and sustainable solutions to real-life challenges in the livestock and forage sectors,” said Muir.
Muir added that Wright’s personable approach and his experience in working and communicating with a wide range of producers in the agriculture industry are other invaluable skills that he will bring to his leadership role at the LFCE.