By Crops – d2127

Ontario and Quebec farmers take national award

Dec 2, 2025 | 2:01 PM

Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers’ program is an annual competition to recognize farmers under the age of 40 that exemplify excellence in their profession and promote the contribution of agriculture.

Ryan and Romy Schill of Circle R Livestock Ltd and Revolution Wool Company located at Wallenstein, Ont. and Pierre Luc Barré and Virginie Bourque of La Ferme Yves Barré Inc located at St. Damase Que. were chosen as national winners from six regional farms.

After completing a certificate at Lakeland College, Ryan took over his grandfather’s mixed farm that raised pigs, beef, and 1,200 laying hens. Romy joined him in 2008 after attending the University of Guelph. They juggled farming and off-farm jobs while expanding their outdated farm. They decided to sell the pigs and beef to focus on the sheep. They expanded the herd of Circle R Livestock Ltd from 25 to 800 ewes by 2018. They lamb all year round to spread their risk. By focusing on reduced costs, introducing better genetics and marketing their lambs to local butchers they have added value to their sheep business.

Even though they believe diversification minimizes risk, they made a decision to sell the chicken layer business. They found the chickens were a steady income which helped with expansion but were not flexible for their family. Their new wool business, Revolution Wool Company, allowed them to take what was considered a waste product and add value to their sheep business. Their next steps for expanding the wool business will be to focus on marketing their yarn, batting, felt and wool pillows both in- store and on- line to North American markets.

After Pierre-Luc was given the task of inspecting onions and hot peppers, he became interested in the third generation farm he was raised on. After attending Technologie Agroalimentaire du Quebec for horticulture, he joined the La Ferme Yves Barré Inc in 2010. When the hot pepper market declined, a $100,000 investment in potato equipment was made to plant 30 acres. They are now planting 300 acres of their 1,140 cultivated acres, to produce 18 million pounds of pre-peel potatoes. The future goal is to plant 500 acres – the barrier being access to good land. Virginie joined the farm full time in 2017 and takes care of books, marketing and communications.

Grey Cup!!!

Everything you wanted and more

Nov 21, 2025

Ferland earns Grey Cup ring

'A wonderful human being': High school coach thrilled Logan Ferland is a Grey Cup champion

Nov 17, 2025

Nipawin fire department busy

Nipawin fire crews respond to rekindled blaze, vehicle collision, nuisance fire

Nov 17, 2025

La Ferme Yves Barré tries to spread the risk by diversifying the products. Pierre-Luc’s grandfather started with tomatoes, sugar beets, sweet corn. His father introduced grain corn, peppers and onions and they now produce corn, beans, soy and potatoes.

Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers President Amy Cronin said the event was a great success once again celebrating inspiring honourees from across the country who represent agriculture with passion and excellence.

“Pierre-Luc Barre and Virginie Bourque and Ryan and Romy Schill emulate what our program stands for, excellence, continuous learning, progression, innovation and sustainability. They give generously of their time and energy to make their communities thrive and are excellent advocates for agriculture,” she said.

The regional finalists include:

B.C. – Thomas and Catherine Cuthbert- Southcoast Agro Farms- Nanaimo

Alta. – Sarah Weigum- Alect Seeds- Three Hills

Sask. – Brady and Lindsay Funk- Braylin Farms- Wymark

ON – Ryan and Romy Schill- Circle R Livestock & Revolution Wool Company- Wallenstein

QC – Pierre Luc Barré and Virginie Bourque of La Ferme Yves Barré Inc- St Damase

AT – Katie Campbell and William Spurr- Spurr Brothers Farms-Melvern Square, NS

–

alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com