TORONTO – Former Semex chief executive officer Paul Larmer will be inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame this fall.
“It’s very, very humbling, and yet [I’m] very honoured,” Larmer said of the news.
Larmer retired from his role at Semex at the end of last year, but stayed on in an executive advisory capacity for several months.
He called himself “officially retired” as of May 31.
“I’m now a cheerleader,” he said with a laugh.
Larmer grew up on a dairy farm in Blackstock, in the Durham region, a business that’s still operated by family.
“My brother and his son now own and manage the farm,” Larmer said.
While he has long since moved away, Larmer says the time he spent on the farm growing up, and his involvement in 4-H clubs, were key in helping to shape his future.
It’s part of the reason he and his family created an endowment fund in memory of his parents to support youth in 4-H.
“I was very involved in 4-H growing up, and I think the leadership I learned in 4-H . . . laid a very solid base for me and my career,” he said.
Larmer moved to Guelph for university and “never went back,” he said.
He graduated with a bachelor of science degree in agriculture in 1981, and joined United Breeders in 1984 as a sire analyst, starting what would become a decades-long career in dairy cattle genetics.
“I did a lot of work running the genetic mating program, working to improve their herd,” Larmer recalled.
He eventually moved into the marketing side of the business, and into the general manager role, working with boards of directors at United Breeders and Western Ontario Breeders when they merged to form Gencor, or EastGen, one of the owners of Semex.
Larmer went on to spend 17 years as CEO of Semex, the company that nominated him for hall-of-fame recognition.
“Paul’s contribution to Canadian agriculture is unparalleled,” company director of global marketing Joan Lau stated in a new release.
“He has dedicated his life to Canadian producers, beginning at the grassroots level and rising to CEO of Semex.
“Paul’s goal has always been to showcase our genetics to the world – as he says, ‘punching above our weight.’ Undoubtedly, his leadership solidified Canadian genetics and Semex’s position as a global leader.”
The 2024 Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place at the Liberty Grand in Toronto on Nov. 2, during the first weekend of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.
“That’s special for me because I’m also a past president of the Royal Winter Fair board of directors,” said Larmer.
He will share the stage with fellow inductees forage crop researcher Bruce Coulman, canola researcher Michael Eskin, and agricultural entomologist Charles Vincent.
In a news release announcing the inductees, hall of fame chair Phil Boyd commented not just on their individual accomplishments, but on their overall contributions to the agricultural industry.
“As a key part of each of their professional careers, they have mentored future leaders – an equally vital contribution for the long-term sustainability of Canadian agriculture,” Boyd stated.
Larmer, who is described in the release as “a mentor to many,” said he felt humbled to be among those recognized by the hall of fame.
“To be included in that company is something I never would have imagined,” Larmer said.
