Look who’s talking: Robert Larsen

Larsen graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture in 2021 with a BSc in agricultural business. Throughout his studies, he was actively involved in many different aspects of campus life; most notably on the judging team and with the Dalhousie Agricultural Students’ Association, where he served three terms as vice president finance and operations and a semester as interim president. Upon graduation, Larsen was elected life president of his class.

Larsen now farms alongside his family on their beef cattle feedlot and agri-services operation in Cape Traverse, PEI. Passionate about board governance, Robert currently volunteers with four boards of directors, in addition to serving as an executive committee member of the PEI Federation of Agriculture and as Vice Chair of 4-H Canada. Over the last six months he worked with a team to relaunch the PEI Young Farmers Association, and was recently elected as the association’s president.

What is a typical day like for you?

While many of my days have a similar routine, I rarely feel like any two days are the same - something I certainly enjoy about farming. I farm alongside my father, Lorne, and younger brother Justin, an AC grad from the Class of 2022. 

Every day on our farm includes feeding the cattle and a health check done twice daily. Keeping the cattle bedded with fresh straw and pens cleaned out is another large part of every week. Sourcing and caring for feeder cattle, as well as selling finished cattle are also regular tasks. Then there’s regular maintenance of equipment, and sometimes the barnyard or infrastructure. Seasonally, we move from planting our corn crop in the spring, to harvesting grass silage and bailing straw in the summer, to harvesting corn silage and processing delivered high moisture corn in the fall.

Our family also operates a custom planting and harvesting business called Norring Road Custom. We plant corn, and harvest grass silage, corn silage, and cob meal for farm clients across the island. I manage most of the operations, client relations, and human resource aspects of this business, while also operating equipment. Additionally, I look after the administrative and financial tasks for both the farm and NRC.

What are some of the biggest challenges facing the agriculture industry today?

The access to skilled farm labour is a huge challenge, especially on a seasonal basis. Finding equipment operators and truck drivers to bring in the harvest is of concern for many, us included.

Specifically when looking at the maritime beef industry, I worry the regional competitiveness issues with Ontario and Quebec are only growing. This seems to be primarily driven on the cost of production side at the moment. Our feed inputs, corn in particular, are much higher, primarily due to a supply shortage in the region but also related to our growing conditions and the more expensive inputs to grow corn here. Previous feeder cattle supply concerns look to be turning into a shortage given the amount of newborn and feeder calves going up country. A lot of government investment has gone into growing the cow-calf sector in the region, but the result has not been more cattle on local feedlots or being finished in the region.

What compels you to give your time as a volunteer?

I tend to be drawn to things I’m most passionate about such as agriculture, rural communities, governance, and youth-adult partnerships. I find purpose in contributing my time to various organizations and in turn growing my skillset. This drives me and gives me fuel to tackle anything - whether it be on the farm, in business, or in my volunteerism. Having an impact and achieving success with a group of people who are equally passionate about something is very rewarding and that success or impact motivates me to seek out other opportunities and take on other projects.

The Agricultural Campus is a special and unique place, as we hear over and over. What’s your favourite part about the AC?

When I consider my network of folks in the agriculture industry, so many of them lead back to the AC. The opportunity the AC offers to foster community and strong networks early on for young farmers and ag professionals I think is truly unique.

What are you most excited to see come out of the Bringing Worlds Together campaign for the Faculty of Agriculture?

Dalhousie's Bringing Worlds Together is an ambitious fundraising campaign to achieve transformational change on campus that will inspire future agriculture leaders, enhance research capacity, and support the Atlantic agriculture industry. With a goal of investing nearly $115 million in the Agricultural Campus, this bold plan will unlock, in my opinion, the university's most meaningful and informed commitment to campus and the region's agriculture community since the merger in 2012. This is absolutely the time to double down on the AC's history of excellence in research and agricultural education and aspire to revolutionize agriculture in the region through research and innovation in precision technologies, sustainability practices, climate adaptation and mitigation, and addressing food security. I'm most excited to see the impacts of these investments down the road on future students, the student experience at the AC, and the tools AC grads will have to meet the challenges of our industry – tomorrow. I have no doubt that we will all strive to meet the moment – today.

As its newest member, what do you think alumni should know about the Faculty of Agriculture Alumni Association? What do you hope to gain from being involved?

The Alumni Association has a fantastic cross section of alum, all who are passionate Aggies and involved in the agricultural industry locally and across the country. We all care a lot about the growth, success, autonomy, and future of the AC, while also maintaining and honouring our campus traditions.

Over the years the Alumni Association has proven itself to be among some of the best ambassadors for the AC, while also not shying away from advocating strongly for students and alumni. I am excited to contribute to that work!