2018 Prime of Life Achievement Award

Vern J. Racz began his career as a Livestock Specialist with the provincial extension service. He moved to the University where he served as a Nutritionist, Director of the Saskatchewan Feed Testing Laboratory and Executive Director of the Prairie Feed Resource Centre. After retiring as Executive Director (PFRC), he continued, part time as a Research Scientist until Dec 2014 helping to restructure the PFRC into the Feeds Innovation Institute. Vern’s major contributions are in the development of feed products from Saskatchewan feed grains and by-products including by-products of biofuel production. This has created markets for our products and the feeding systems to utilize them nationally and internationally, contributing millions of dollars to the economy.

Vern has written numerous publications on feedstuff utilization and delivered numerous lectures around the world. He is a forensic agrologist and farms near Foam Lake. Vern served in an advisory capacity to Feed Commodity Groups and companies in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North and South America. Vern has been acknowledged for his work by many producer groups and in April 2018 was inducted into the Agricultural Hall of Fame.