Farmers' Week goes virtual in January

GBFW 2022 Logo It goes without saying that the past few months have been difficult, with everyone adapting to a “new normal” that is constantly evolving. With the safety of everyone in mind, and following Public Health guidelines, the Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week (GBFW) committee, with the support of their Premier Sponsor FCC, will deliver “the best virtual conference possible” in January 2021. GBFW has been there for local producers and beyond for 54 years. It will continue to be there in its 55th year, but with a new look and format – delivered right to producers farms offices, kitchen tables, or tractors. Co-ordinator Lorie Smith comments that, “We are in a sweet-spot to pivot to a virtual conference as a result of live streaming GBFW for the past three years. Our continued partnership with CTRE Productions will ensure the success of this new initiative.” Smith continues, “We will take all of the best features about Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week, box them up, and create an online experience that mimics all the feels of the live event.” Producers from across the province, Canada and the World, wherever they have reliable internet access, will be able to participate in the GBFW conference. The GBFW organizers know the importance of interacting with agribusiness. There will be opportunities to do that in the virtual trade show. Producers are missing the opportunity to catch up with their neighbours. The daily producer mingles will facilitate these interactions.

Virtual Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week (#GBFW21), in its 55th year, will run from Tuesday, January 5 to Tuesday, January 12. The week starts with a bonus Trade Show Day. Registration to that Day is complimentary to all registrants. Beef Day is on Wednesday, followed by Dairy, Goat, Sheep, Horse, Ecological, and Crops Days. It is an 8-day Agricultural Conference packed with a most impressive and informative line-up of speakers! The week will include live sessions and pre-recorded sessions. That content will be available in real-time, on the commodity Day, but importantly will also be available for 30 days following the event so that participants can engage in the sessions on their own schedules, at their own pace. Each Day starts with an 11:15 welcome, and the presentations conclude around 4:00. There will be an opportunity to pose questions to the speakers via the chat box, and face to face with the speakers after each session. The conference offers over 50 sessions covering a vast array of topics targeting the issues and challenges facing the farming community today. Of note, reflecting a deep concern for the wellness of our farmers, at GBFW21 there will be a daily Mental Health in Agriculture presentation. Don’t miss the daily Exhibitor Show Case from 9:00 – 11:00 am.

As always, exciting Panels have been developed for 2021. These panels include:

· On Beef Day, three farm families will tease out Direct Marketing Beef.

· On Dairy Day, the panelists will share their perspectives on the Future of the Dairy Industry in Canada.

· On Goat Day, we have asked one goat producer, and a researcher to provide tips and data on Goat Kid Survival.

· On Sheep Day, three producers will discuss their tips and insights about Labour Saving Tips on the Farm.

· On Ecological Day, three producers will share their thoughts about More Sustainable Food Production Systems.

· On Crops Day, agronomists will tell us what they see in their Crystal Ball on Crops 2021.

Here’s a glimpse of some of the featured keynote speakers and presentations:

· On Beef Day, Anne Wasko, Market Analyst, with Gateway Livestock will provide a Cattle Market Outlook. Anne is sponsored by Royal LePage RCR Realty, Steacy Den Haan; B&L Farm Services & Walter’s Falls Milling; Robert’s Farm Equipment & McGavin Equipment; and Bowler & Company Chartered Accountants Professional Corporation.

· On Dairy Day, producers will glean significant “nuggets” to take back to their operations. GBFW welcomes Travis Busman, who will present Modern Hoof Care: A Method for Success. Travis is sponsored by: Royal LePage RCR Realty, Steacy Den Haan; B&L Farm Services & Walter’s Falls Milling; Partner Ag Services; Conestogo Agri Systems Inc.; and Grober Nutrition.

· Goat Day welcomes two speakers from Cornell University. Dr. Mary C. Smith will address Goat Udder Health including the diagnosis of mastitis and implementation of control programs. Dr. tatiana Luisa Stanton will delve into Goat Nutrition, and explore the concept of “potential fermentable fiber”. Dr. Smith is sponsored by Partner Ag Services; and Grober Nutrition. Dr. Stanton is sponsored by Ontario Dairy Goat Co-operative.

· On Sheep Day, GBFW puts the powers of a virtual conference to great use by live streaming speakers from around the world. Robert Hodgkins from the UK, and Johanna Scott from NZ will dig into Using Genomic Markers in an Ovine Breeding Strategy. This presentation is sponsored by Grober Nutrition.

· Horse Day will deliver an abundance of practical tips and information regarding: Nutritional and Nutraceutical Methods for Maintenance of Joint and Gastrointestinal Health; The Science of Bits, Spurs and Training Tack. How we Choose, Use or Sometimes Abuse Them; and Horse Pasture Management.

· Ecological Day, has something for everyone. Dr. Scott Weese will address livestock producers as he turns the focus on Emerging, Re-emerging and Changing Infectious Disease Threats. Ellen Polishuk, owner Plant to Profit Maryland will share Improving Soils = Making More Money. Ellen is sponsored by Williams Drainage Inc. and Sideroad Farm. The focus on soil continues with Brett Israel, who will dig into Keys to Cover Crops, followed by Janine McGowan who will provide tips on how to nourish pollinators while building your soil with cover crops – Cover Crops & Bees.

· GBFW21 ends with Crops Day on Wednesday. Crops Day also shines the spotlight on soil with Dr Lee Briese, Agronomist, Centrol Ag Consulting, diving into Soil and Crop Management: The Details Matter. Lee attempts to reduce some of the complexity around the topic of soil health and encourages growers to adapt and customize practices to fit their individual farms and needs. He is sponsored by AgDrain Inc. Matthew Pot, Consultant and Economist will dig into 2020 Vision: What Have We Learned? Matthew is sponsored by Williams Drainage Inc.; Royal LePage RCR Realty, Steacy Den Haan; Lystek International Corp.; and John Ernewein Ltd.

· Perennial favourite, Peter Johnson, will wrap-up the week with, The Holy Grail: Organic Matter! Peter is sponsored by Marquardt Farm Drainage Ltd.

For more details on the speakers planned for each day, please refer to the Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week website www.gbfw.ca. If you need detailed information about any of the presentations, or complete bios, that information is also available on the website.

The GBFW planning committee would like to thank all of the generous sponsors!! The full list is on our brochure, or on our website (www.gbfw.ca). Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week would like to acknowledge the Premier and Platinum Sponsors: Farm Credit Canada (Event and Technology sponsor); BDO Canada LLP (Brochure sponsor); Trillium Mutual Insurance Company (Technology sponsor); Country 93 (Media sponsor); Howick Mutual Insurance Company and CMR Insurance (Media sponsor); Bruce County Federation of Agriculture (Daily sponsor). During the course of the week, the Tradeshow will include over 60 virtual trade show exhibitors from across the province.

Visit www.gbfw.ca to register
$30/Day; $70/any 3 Days; $160/Week
(Plus HST & Processing fees)
Conference content will be available to registrants for one month following the event.

source: media release, Grey Bruce Farmers Week