Alberta’s Dr. Calvin Booker named bovine veterinarian of the year by the Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners 

January 20, 2023 –  Dr. Calvin Booker of Okotoks, Alberta is the recipient of the 2023 Veterinarian of the Year Award presented by the Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners (WCABP) and Boehringer Ingelheim Canada. He is recognized for his significant impact on feedlot veterinary medicine, groundbreaking research as an epidemiologist and several innovations that have transformed the cattle industry.  

The Boehringer Ingelheim WCABP Veterinarian of the Year Award honours a veterinarian for being a leader in advancing bovine health, and for demonstrating a strong commitment to veterinary practice, the cattle industry and the veterinary profession, specifically in Western Canada. Dr. Booker was announced as the winner at the WCABP annual conference in Saskatoon on Jan. 20, 2023.  

“On behalf of the WCABP, I congratulate Dr. Calvin Booker on being honoured as the 2023 WCABP Veterinarian of the Year,” said Dr. Tim Nickel, President, WCABP.  “Dr. Booker’s contributions to feedlot medicine and the cattle industry, as a whole, are immeasurable.  

“He not only has transformed the industry with many science-based innovations, but he also provided leadership by serving on many boards and committees including as president of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners. He is a very deserving recipient of the WCABP Veterinarian of the Year.”

Dr. Booker is the General Manager, Services and Research with Feedlot Health Management Services, a Division of TELUS Agriculture Solutions Inc., with responsibilities that include heading up research and development. He is also Adjunct Professor in the Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and VERO at Texas A&M University.

In addition, Dr. Booker is a respected innovator who was instrumental in the development of several ground-breaking concepts that revolutionized the delivery of feedlot veterinary services. Some of his significant accomplishments include the development and introduction of a data recording system for day-to-day feedlot operations and the use of applied epidemiology to control disease in feedlot operations. Dr. Booker is named on four patents for his innovative work in developing a method and system for monitoring animals.

"The WCABP is comprised of veterinarians with a broad array of talents and interests in bovine practice and cattle production. I am proud to be a member of this organization and receiving this award is truly an honour,” said Dr. Booker. “I am humbled by the recognition. I thank WCABP for the award and Boehringer Ingelheim for sponsoring it."

Dr. Booker has made extraordinary contributions to bovine health through his research projects, including identifying and documenting Histophilus somni as a major disease, developing prevention and treatment regimes for the control of undifferentiated fever/bovine respiratory disease in feedlot production and defining the role of bovine viral diarrhea virus in feedlot disease.

Derek Groff, Business Unit Director (Livestock) with Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Canada, explained the Boehringer Ingelheim WCABP Veterinarian of the Year Award recognizes exceptional leaders who are making significant contributions to the cattle industry in Western Canada while also demonstrating a strong commitment to the veterinary profession.  

“Congratulations to Dr. Booker for being recognized as the 2023 WCABP Veterinarian of the Year,” Groff said. “His pioneering work as a veterinarian, epidemiologist, researcher and innovator have led to advancements in bovine health and the delivery of veterinary services in feedlots in Canada and around the world” Groff thanked the WCABP for its work to seek nominations and select the recipient of the award.

About Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners (WCABP)  

The Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners is the voice of over 250 veterinarians specializing in the treatment of dairy and beef cattle in the four western provinces. WCABP provides continuing education for its members and encourages youth to consider a career in bovine practice. WCABP serves as an advocate on issues directly affecting members' scope of practice and provides expert opinion to government, educational institutions, and other related industries on issues affecting the food animal industry.

Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd.  

Boehringer Ingelheim is working on breakthrough therapies that transform lives, today and for generations to come. As a leading research-driven biopharmaceutical company, the company creates value through innovation in areas of high unmet medical need. Founded in 1885 and family-owned ever since, Boehringer Ingelheim takes a long-term perspective. More than 52,000 employees serve over 130 markets in the three business areas, Human Pharma, Animal Health, and Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing. The Canadian headquarters of Boehringer Ingelheim was established in 1972 in Montreal, Quebec and is now located in Burlington, Ontario. Boehringer Ingelheim employs approximately 500 people across Canada. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.ca.

About Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health  

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health is working on first-in-class innovation for the prediction, prevention, and treatment of diseases in animals. For veterinarians, pet owners, farmers, and governments in more than 150 countries, we offer a large and innovative portfolio of products and services to improve the health and well-being of companion animals and livestock. As a global leader in the animal health industry and as part of family-owned Boehringer Ingelheim, we take a long-term perspective. The lives of animals and humans are interconnected in deep and complex ways. We know that when animals are healthy, humans are healthier too. By using the synergies between our Animal Health and Human Pharma businesses and by delivering value through innovation, we enhance the health and well-being of both. For more information visit: https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/animal-health  

About the Boehringer Ingelheim Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners Veterinarian of the Year Award 

Boehringer Ingelheim Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners Veterinarian of the Year Award is given annually to a veterinarian in Western Canada who meets some, but not necessarily all, of the following criteria:  

1. History of service and dedication to veterinary practice and the cattle industry.  
2. History of service to the veterinary profession, specifically to the WCABP and other Western Canadian provincial veterinary associations.  
3. Reputation for clinical competency or for being a pioneer or leader in bovine medicine, surgery, or herd health.  

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Media contacts:

Bobbe Poncelet 
Administrator 
Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners 
Email: info@wcabp.com 
Phone:1-866-269-8387

Merry Garbutt 
Corporate  
Communications Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd. 
Email: merry.garbutt@boehringer-ingelheim.com 
Phone: (905) 631-4531