2011 CFGA Conference & AGM    
                                                          December 13th & 14th, 2011
                                                 Radisson Saskatoon Hotel, Saskatoon, SK

                                                Forage & Grasslands -

  the key to competitive livestock industry and a healthy environment

REGISTRATION closes at 3 p.m. on Thursday, December 8th. To register after that please call Corie at (204) 254-4192.

Our theme this year is “Forage & Grasslands – the key to a competitive livestock industry and a healthy environment.”  To that end we have recruited speakers and panelists that will address the many challenges and opportunities that exist regarding export constraints, research, production and profitability. A key part of the Conference will focus on identifying research needs, the value of forages in biodiversity and the environment and ways to maximize our competitiveness using forages in the beef and dairy sector.  A Domestic and Forage Export Market workshop will highlight how to increase profitability in the marketing of hay.

Here’s a snippet of some of the speakers and their topics:
•    The Value of Forage and Grasslands in Canada’s Beef Industry, Brad Wildeman, President, Pound-Maker, Board Chair, Canada Beef, Lanigan, SK
•    The Value of Hay in the Dairy Industry, Ron Maynard, Vice President, Dairy Farmers of Canada and PEI Dairy Producer
•    The Value of Grasslands in Biodiversity, Dr. Ken Belcher, School of Environment & Sustainability, U of Saskatchewan
•    The Value of Hay Production – On your farm and to the industry, Rollie Bernth, National Hay Association.
•    How we value hay production and capture that value through beef and local markets – Stuart or Logan Murray, Murray Lake Ranching, Seven Persons, Alberta
•    Forage & Grassland Research and our Environment, Scott Wright, Senior Director, Kerry LaForge, Manager - Range & Forage, Agricultural Environmental Services Branch
•    Concurrent Session Topics: (How to make Grass Pay,  Forage Export and Domestic Market Workshop – Harvesting and Marketing to Maximize Profitability, Assessing Forage Markets & more)

Conference Fee is $175.00 - Any booth purchase or sponsorship includes one registration for the conference. Download the Sponsorship Info (just below) or click the Register now button to see the pricing (bottom of this page).

 Sponsorship Opportunities (Please consider sponsoring this CFGA Event) Payments can be made through this registration process or by cheque - please contact Corie Arbuckle for more information - (204) 254-4192, c_arbuckle@canadianfga.ca)  (Download Sponsorship info)  

Agenda (Download PDF) Scroll down to read.

Following the CFGA Conference on December 15, 2011 is the Forage Industry Stakeholder Forum “Assessing the Potential Impact of Roundup Ready Alfalfa on Canada’s Forage Industry” 9:00 to 2:30, Radisson Saskatoon Hotel. Read more.

Seed of the Year Award Presentation. On Tuesday evening, the late Dr. Bob Knowles will be honoured for the development of the well known public forage variety - Fleet Meadow Bromegrass. Read Press Release.

Speaker Bios

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

9:00 to 9:30                   Registration
9:30 to 9:45                   Welcome, Doug Wray – Chair, CFGA/ACPF
9:45 to 10:00                 Greetings from the Minister of Agriculture – Saskatchewan (to be confirmed)
10:00 to 10:45               Greeting from Saskatchewan Forage Council  - Aaron Ivey, President
10:15 to 10:45               The Value of Forage and Grasslands in Canada’s Beef Industry - Brad Wildeman, President, Pound-Maker, Board Chair, Canada Beef, Lanigan, SK
10:45 to 11:15               The Value of Forage and Grassslands in Canada’s Dairy Industry, Ron Maynard, Vice President, Dairy Farmers of Canada & PEI Dairy Producer
11:15 to 11:45               Forage  & Grasslands – Linking Environment and the Producer, Richard McBride, Ducks Unlimited Canada
11:45 to 12:15               The Value of Hay Production – On your Farm and to the Industry, Rollie Bernth, President, National Hay Association U.S.
12:15 to 1:30                 Lunch & Display visits

CONCURRENT AFTERNOON SESSIONS (choose one)

Session A:
1:30 to 2:00                  How to Make Grass Pay, Dave Kerr, Beef Producer, Lashburn, SK
2:00 to 2:30                  Turning Grass into Milk in my Dairy Operation, Ron Maynard, Dairy Farmers of Canada
2:30 to 3:00                  The Value of Grasslands in Maintaining Biodiversity, Dr. Ken Belcher, School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan
3:00 to 3:30                  Refreshments & Display visits
3:30 to 4:00                  How we value hay production and capture that value through beef, local and export markets, Murray Lake Ranching, Seven Persons, Alberta
4:00 to 4:30                  Open Discussion

Session B
1:30 to 3:00       Forage Export and Domestic Market Workshop -
Harvesting and marketing to maximize profitability (timing and quality for domestic and export markets)
Panelists

•     Sam Luckhardt, Ontario Forage Producer, Owen Sound, ON
•     Darren Chapman, Manitoba Forage Producer & Exporter, Virden, MB
•     Dan Jorsvick, Alberta Producer with Drying Facility, Olds, AB
• Questions & Discussion

3:00 to 3:30        Refreshments and Display visits
3:30 to 4:45       Assessing Forage Markets (existing and future markets, market access issues, role of CFGA)
Panelists

•     Domestic & U.S. Market – Kevin Gilbert, Stratford, ON  and Lestock SK, Saskatchewan Alfalfa  Producer
•     U.S. Market, Rollie Bernth, President National Hay Assn.
•     Traditional Asian Markets (Japan), Marc Lavoie, Enterprises Macay Inc., Peace River, AB
•     Newly Emerging Markets
  - China - U.S. experience, Rollie Bernth, National Hay Assn
  - Canada in China market, Ed Shaw, IQ Forages, Carstairs, AB
  - Middle East, Ed Shaw, IQ Forages, Carstairs, AB
  Questions & Discussion

4:45 to 5:30      Transportation & Logistics - The Real 900 lb Gorilla in the Room (Overview of the Issues and Potential Role of CFGA)

• Manitoba and Saskatchewan Forage Export Study – Tyrchniewicz Consulting, Winnipeg, MB

6:15 to 8:00        Dinner & Presentation  - Raising Beef in Brazil, Doug Wray, Alberta Forage Industry Network & Chair, CFGA

Seed of the Year Award Presentation to the late Dr. Bob Knowles, AAFC by Trent Whiting, SeCan. Dr. Bruce Coulman, Manager of the joint AAFC-­University of Saskatchewan grass breeding program will be accepting on his behalf.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011 - Moving our Industry Forward
7:45 to 8:00                Introduction & Overview
8:00 to 9:30                Update on Forage & Grasslands Work by Provincial Councils, Extension & Research Organizations
9:30 to 10:15              Moving Forage and Grasslands Forward with Research and Extension
Panelists

• Research that has Worked – Grant Lastiwka, Grazing/Forage/Beef Specialist, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
• Research that is “On the Shelf” and “How to Move It Out,”  Trent Whiting, Marketing Rep, SeCan
• Research in the Pipeline for Beef – Reynold Bergen, Science Director, Canadian Cattlemen's Assoc. Science Director, Beef Cattle Research Council

10:15 to 10:30             Refreshments and Display Visits
10:30 to 11:15

• Research in the Pipeline for Dairy –Joel Bagg, Forage Specialist, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs
• Forage and Grassland Research and Our Environment – Scott Wright, Senior Director, Agricultural Environmental Services Branch,
• Kerry Laforge, Manager , Range & Forage in Agricultural Environmental Services Branch

Questions and discussion
11:15 to 11:30    What we have heard so far - What has to happen?
•    Issues, opportunities, trends
•    Research and extension
•    Role of CFGA and partners

11:30 to 12:30           Getting Your Input – Working Group Sessions
•    Issues and opportunities
•    Research and extension gaps
•    Role of CFGA and partners

12:30 to 1:15               Lunch & Display visits
1:15 to 1:30                 Welcome and Overview of AGM, Doug Wray, CFGA Chair
1:30 to 1:45                 Highlights of 2011, Wayne Digby, Executive Director
1:45 to 2:45                  CFGA/ACPF Committee Reports
•    Producer & Users Committee
•    Forage Export and Domestic Market Development Committee
•    Research and Extension
•    Communication and Promotions
•    Finance and Sponsorship
2:45 to 3:00                  Financial Report
3:00 to 3:30                  Refreshments and Display visits
3:30 to 3:45                  Resolution re: membership and voting eligibility
3:45 to 4:00                  Election/Appointment of Board of Directors
4:00 to 4:15                  Appointment of Auditor and Resolutions
4:15 to 4:30                  Wrap-up, Doug Wray, CFGA Chair

6:00 to 8:00 CFGA/ACPF Board of Directors Meeting

Register Now!