A strong leader and excellent ambassador, Robert “Bob” Prestage has dedicated decades of his career to improving the genetics and quality of Canadian livestock by opening international markets.
After completing a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the Ontario Agricultural College, Bob worked for the Ontario livestock branch, quickly distinguishing himself by developing a progeny test program for beef cattle almost 60 years ago, that’s still used across Canada. Then he headed west to Byer’s Flour Mills at Camrose, Alberta – a community he embraced as his own. He worked with Canadian Beef Sires and Western Breeders improving the genetic pool of Canadian beef cattle. As a field man for the Alberta Angus Association, Bob was instrumental in creating a worldwide beef export network, helping to raise Angus to the dominant breed in the beef industry.
Through Wicklow Angus – the farm he founded with his wife Margaret – he bred and exported Angus cattle, developing a thriving export business to more than 20 countries for semen, embryos and live animals of all species of livestock. He’s become one of the most successful exporters of livestock, particularly beef, and helped many others improve herd quality and achieve export success.
When BSE crippled the Canadian beef industry in 2003, Bob helped get more than 6,000 head of Angus cattle to Russia. These animals helped see the Canadian industry through a crisis and formed the basis of the international beef industry with Canadian Angus cattle.
In his more than 60 years of service to Canadian agriculture, Bob has improved the genetic pool of the Canadian cattle industry as a breeder, exporter, host, judge and mentor. His vision and dedication have opened international markets for Canadian beef and other livestock. And his passion for improving the industry is evident in his longstanding leadership in organizations including 4-H, the Canadian Angus Association, World Angus Forum, Canadian National Junior Heifer Show and Canadian Bull Congress.
Bob is the kind of man that brings out the best in those around him. He’s a community man, dedicating endless hours to the Camrose community in 4-H, sports and as reeve of the county. Among his many honours are an inductee in the Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame, Alberta Angus Hall of Fame, Middlesex County Hall of Fame, Camrose County Wall of Honour, Camrose Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Bull Congress Award of Distinction.
A man of integrity, honesty and respect, Bob Prestage has made an indelible impact on the cattle industry – and all the people around him – throughout his lifelong quest to improve Canadian livestock genetics.
