Mark of Excellence

The Mark of Excellence award recognizes leadership and innovation in the capture and use of data,
creation of knowledge and development of technology and
insight for agri-food businesses. 

2023 Nominations Now Open!

Have someone you’d like to nominate? Click here for the award criteria and nomination process.

Congratulations to James and Joan McKinlay of Silver Springs Farms on receiving the AgSights’ 2022 Mark of Excellence Award.

James and Joan McKinlay farm with their son Robert in Ravenna, Ontario in northeastern Grey County.  A long-term member that has been testing bulls since 1989 and started home testing in 1999, as well as, supporting the industry as a past BIO Director.  The breeding strategies at Silver Springs Simmentals have been continually improving animal performance in weaning and post weaning gain with a growing BIO$ on herd sires based on bull evaluation data from the initial days of testing bulls through BIO.

They have been recognized as producers helping young people get into farming in creative, non-traditional ways.  James and Joan saw the potential in the young people working on their farm.  With an open-minded approach, they found a way to support the investment needed to get started and even thought through how to get chores done while the young producers finished their university education.  As they support more young producers with the initial investment to get them started.  James and Joan keep this group of young producers collaborating and supporting each other through the sharing of information