2013 Canadian Forage & Grassland Association Conference & AGM and Optional Tour

SOLD OUT -
Sorry we are completely sold out and have a substantial waiting list. Thank you for your interest and we hope we can see you next year. If you are not on our email list - subscribe please email us at c_arbuckle@canadianfga.ca to be added.

If you are registered and need to find a room Contact  Ramada in Olds, Alberta is 144.99 + taxes for a King or two Queen. $10 is charged if a second person is in a room. (403) 507-8349.  SAY BLOCK FOR  Canadian Forage & Grassland Association or CFGA.

 

Taking Forages Mainstream -
The Challenges, Pitfalls & Opportunities

December 9th - Optional Tour
December 10th & 11th, Conference & AGM
Pomeroy Inn & Suites at Olds College, Olds, Alberta

It may be snowy and cold in Alberta come December, but we've got some hot topics being addressed at the Pomeroy Inn & Suites at Olds College in Olds, Alberta!

Our Conference theme this year is “Taking Forages Mainstream – Challenges, Pitfalls and Opportunities”. We are pleased to be working with the Alberta Forage Industry Network as hosts and in addition with Olds College. The College is celebrating its 100^th Anniversary and our event will include the use of the brand new POMEROY Inn & Suites at Olds College.

Our tour will appeal to all aspects of the forage and grassland sector and our tour will showcase Alberta’s Densified Hay Processors, a hay drier, innovative winter grazing techniques, grazing native rangeland, and more.  Forage and grassland research, the role of forages in rotations, forages and the environment and the public perception of the value of forages are just a few of the topics that will be included in the Conference program. Concurrent forage export marketing sessions will be of interest to those in the forage export business.

Here's a sampling of some of our speakers:

Plenary Session

• Laura Rance, Agricultural Journalist and Editor of Manitoba Co-operator - The future of forages in a fabricated world: Where do forages fit in a world so fixated with technology that the petri dish could soon replace the Back 40 for beef production? Award-winning agricultural journalist Laura Rance will review some of the challenges and opportunities for positioning the forage sector as a key contributor to world food security.
• Dr. Pascal Badiou, Research Scientist, Ducks Unlimited Canada’s Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research - The Importance of Grasslands and Wetlands on the Prairies – Forage and Grassland Opportunities. Pascal’s research focuses on the ecology of wetlands and shallow lakes. In particular how wetland restoration and preservation can be targeted to mitigate nutrient export from watersheds. While Dr. Badiou's current research focuses on wetlands, he is well aware of the environmental contributions made by all perennial forages and grasslands and is very concerned about the loss of this valuable vegetation on the prairies. His presentation on the unique environmental benefits of perennial grasslands (wet and dry) will demonstrate their economic and social value to society.

 Forage & Grassland Research Workshop

On Tuesday afternoon leading forage and grassland researchers from across Canada will be discussing their current research projects and potential implications of this research for the future of the Canadian forage industry.

Following up on the Researcher presentations, on Wednesday morning two panels will discuss how to achieve the goal embedded in our Conference theme. 

Panel 1 will address the question:

How can Research and Government help “Move Forages Mainstream?

In other words:  What does industry think government and research could do to help us get forage recognized as a major crop. 

Panel 2 will address two questions: 

1.  What are the “Challenges & Pitfalls” that Research and Government will face in helping us achieve our goal to “Move Forages Mainstream?

2.  What “Opportunities” do they think may exist in the future where Industry, Government and Research could work together more closely to achieve this goal?

 (Panelists will include: a leading edge Producer, a Hay Marketer, a Canadian Cattlemen’s Association rep,  a highly recognized Forage Researcher, an Extension representative, a Research administrator and representatives from senior levels of Government)

 National Forage Export Market Development and Market Readiness Workshop 

Our Export Workshop Program will run concurrently on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning and will include topics such as:

• US Forage Situation – Challenges and Opportunities
• Knowing your Competitors Regarding Priority Forage Markets
• Opportunities and Challenges for Canadian Exporters (Report on US Fact Finding Mission)
• International Forage Markets – Opportunities and Challenges
• Emerging International Markets – Opportunities and Challenges
• Understanding the transportation and logistics system and making it work for you in exporting forages.
• Understanding who your customer is – who is your market and what is your package?

Download the Agenda for more information or click on the button to register now.

Our Conference Tour will appeal to all aspects of the forage and grassland sector and will provide a brief and exciting look at Alberta’s diverse forage industry. Sites we will visit include innovative winter grazing (stockpiled forage, swaths, corn, bales, straw/chaff bunches, and grazing native rangeland); plus high quality densified hay for export; innovative hay equipment; and storage techniques that satisfy demands for high value forages products.  This guided tour will showcase the forage and grassland industry and provide attendees with a greater understanding of the past, present, and future of forages and grasslands in Alberta.  

 Download TOUR AGENDA

Register Now! Sponsorship can be paid at time of Registration - Just click the Register NOW button, fill in contact info and choose the sponsorship of your choice - Please send a logo (high and low res) following registration to us at c_arbuckle@canadianfga.ca  Thank you for your support. 

REGISTRATION is NON REFUNDABLE.

Sponsorship Invitation

We have numerous opportunities to promote your business at our event and throughout the year at CFGA. All organizations will be recognized on this page as well as on the CFGA website, and at the 2013 Conference. Thank you for your consideration.

            Sponsorship can be paid at time of Registration - Just click the Register NOW button, fill in contact info and choose the sponsorship of your choice - Please send a logo (high and low res) following registration to us at c_arbuckle@canadianfga.ca  Thank you for your support.
DEADLINE for promotion on printed posters is NOV 26th. Recognition will still be recognized online, electronicaly and verbally at the conference.

Download the Sponsorship invitation.

 

Where:

Pomeroy Inn & Suites at Olds College 
4601- 46th Street
1-855-800-8815
Reserve by Nov 10th for rate of $129-$149 + taxes
Olds, AB R4H 1P5  If booking online use the code 'Grass' to get reduced rate.
ROOMS SOLD OUT FOR DEC 10, 2013 - may be rooms on other dates - but NOT under CFGA block.
SEE ALTERNATIVES BELOW
 
Driving Directions 

Hotel Options

SOLD OUT - no rooms available on Dec 10th, other days may be available but not under the CFGA block.
Pomeroy Inn & Suites - 1-855-800-8815. $129  - 149 per night until Nov 10th.

Best Western (Across from Pomeroy) Best Western in Olds - 1-403-556-5900 or 5901 or 5902. Room Rate is $101 per night until November 22, 2013. 

Ramada in Olds, Alberta is 144.99 + taxes for a King or two Queen. $10 is charged if a second person is in a room. (403) 507-8349.

Other Hotels available in the town of Innisfill (20 minute drive).   http://ca.hotels.com/de171345/hotels-innisfail-canada/

Contact

Corie Arbuckle 
Canadian Forage & Grassland Association 
204-254-4192 
c_arbuckle@canadianfga.ca 

When

Monday December 9, 2013 Optional Tour (Registration 8 a.m.)

Tuesday December 10th to Wednesday December 11, 2013 Conference & AGM
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CFGA IN KIND SPONSORS


 
CFGA HOST SPONSORS

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