Dr. Murray Jelinski, a distinguished bovine veterinarian and University of Saskatchewan professor, has been named the 2026 Bovine Veterinarian of the Year by the Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners (WCABP). The award recognizes his extensive career dedicated to advancing cattle health and the bovine industry.
A Humble Recognition
For Jelinski, a 66-year-old Saskatoon resident originally from Regina, the award came as a complete surprise. "I was never told beforehand that I was getting the award, which made it even more surprising and I guess more special as well," he said. "I was at a loss for words." He described the honor as "humbling," reflecting on his journey that began on his grandparents' farm in Tisdale, where he first developed his passion for agriculture and bovine health.
Decades of Dedication to Cattle Health
Jelinski's career spans over two decades, including running the Sherwood animal clinic in Regina and serving as the Alberta chair in beef cattle health and production medicine at the University of Saskatchewan's Western College of Veterinary Medicine. He has taught veterinary business to students for ten years and has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications.
His research has significantly contributed to understanding mycoplasma bovis, a bacterial pathogen that causes chronic pneumonia in feedlot cattle and is part of the bovine respiratory disease complex. "I started looking at this bacteria almost 20 years ago, and back then there wasn't a lot of people looking at it," Jelinski noted, highlighting his pioneering work in this area.
Mentorship and Collaboration
Throughout his career, Jelinski has relied on and been inspired by fellow veterinarian Grant Royan, whom he calls "a friend and a mentor." Royan, in turn, views Jelinski as a mentor, praising his analytical skills and dedication. "He is an extremely good communicator and has a particular love for large animals," Royan said. "He always impressed me with his aptitude and his willingness to work hard and never give up."
The WCABP, which comprises 250 veterinarians specializing in dairy and beef cattle across Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba, presents this award annually to honor those who make substantial contributions to bovine health. Jelinski's work exemplifies the impact of such dedication, from his early days on the farm to his current role in education and research.
His family background also played a role in his career path; his older brother Michael is also a veterinarian with a successful feedlot practice in Airdrie, Alberta. This familial connection to veterinary medicine underscores the deep roots of his commitment to animal health.
