Armand Lavoie
Armand Lavoie is a man full of character, dedication and spirit. Born in 1928 Mr. Lavoie completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from Université Laval in 1955. He served as a professor and Farm Manager at the University until 1961 when he moved to the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, as a Swine Specialist for the North East region of New Brunswick, a position he held until 1992. He was very enthusiastic and worked hard to promote the hog industry in New Brunswick. Some even say he was the founder of the NB hog industry.
Armand’s positive and energetic nature touched the lives of his co-workers and hog producers alike. His dedication and commitment to the betterment of the NB hog industry is clearly demonstrated through the many projects in which he was involved. His New Brunswick career started in 1961 when he was given responsibility for the hog production cooperative project in North East NB. He then went on to put in place a hog development plan for the province involving a basic training course for all new entrance to the industry. Courses were held in Memramcook and La Pocatiere, QC. In 1974, he took a two years leave of absence to work in Pokemouche Hog Farm on a genetic development program that focused on hybrid hog reproduction and made it available to pork producers. This project resulted in the tripling of the provincial hog production and the assignment of an assistant to follow major developments in the Madawaska region as well as assignment of a provincial veterinarian to deliver specialized herd health services.
He was instrumental in bringing the first swine embryo transplants to New Brunswick. He also began an analysis centre for swine productivity via computer with participation of more than 95% of producers. Mr. Lavoie was a director and strong supporter of the annual NB Pork Conference and later the Maritime Pork Conference. From 1955-1961, he was a member and vice president of the Agrologist Corporation of Quebec and Director of the National Ayrshire Breeders Association. Since 1961, he is a member of the New Brunswick Agrologist Institute, The Canadian Agrologist Institute. He served during that time as a member of the Canadian Zootechnical Society and president of the Record of Performance Committee (ROP) of the Maritimes.
Even when he retired in July 1992, Armand continued to be actively involved with the pork industry through part time participation in the genetic amelioration program and in the development of a swine productivity analysis centre.
Besides his work with the hog industry, Armand was very involved in his community by singing his heart out. He is the founder and director of the "chorale LaFrance" of Tracadie since 1961 and of the "Gregorian choir" of the Acadian Peninsula since 1982. He has organized and participated in many music festivals, jubilees, concerts and church choirs.
Armand received a commemorative medal for the 125th Anniversary of Canada’s Confederation in recognition of his contribution to the quality of life in his community. In 1999, he received an Honourary Doctorate Degree in Music from Moncton University. He also was a long time volunteer for the Canadian Cancer Society.
Today, he lives in Tracadie-Sheila with his wife Francine and enjoys visits from his five children.
Armand Lavoie has made huge contribution to the improvement of the NB hog industry. He is well known as a spirited, humorous and congenial man who went the extra mile in everything he did.
Nominated by NB Pork , Armand Lavoie is an excellent choice for induction to the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame.