Dairy farmers elected David Wiens as president of the Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) at the organization annual meeting in Winnipeg. With the DFC board since 2009, Wiens succeeds Pierre Lampron.

Formerly vice president of the board, Wiens farms in Grunthal, Manitoba, where he milks 230 cows and tends 1,600 acres of cropland with his brother, Charles.

"I would like to thank dairy farmers for electing me to lead our national organization," said David Wiens, newly minted president of DFC, the national policy, lobbying and promotional organization representing Canadian dairy producers. "Our industry is at a crossroads, we face numerous challenges, but there are also opportunities which we must seize."

Chair of Dairy Farmers of Manitoba, Weins previously served as a director on the DFC board since 2009; in 2011, he was elected to the position of vice president. During his time on the board, Wiens has been chair of the Promotion Committee and is currently serving as the chair of the proAction committee and of the Canadian Dairy Research Council. He also chairs the committee that is reviewing and updating the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle.

"Dairy farmers are the first link with milk production in bringing highly nutritious dairy products to consumers. Yet, we rely on our dairy processors as key partners in the supply chain,” Weins stressed. “It is in the overall sector's interest to adopt collaborative approaches to meet the expectations of Canadians.”

Wiens holds a Bachelor of Theology from the Canadian Mennonite University. He is married to Denise and they have two grown children, Jasmine and Elizabeth.