Agenda 2024
Pre-Conference Extension Workshops
Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. BREAKFAST
National Grassland Inventory & Habitat and Biodiversity Assessment Tool Stakeholder Workshop (hybrid)
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Led by John Pattison Williams and Viresco Solutions
Extension Workshop: Best Management Practices Implementation Strategies, Techniques and Marketing (in-person only)
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Led by Crystal Mackay, Carlene Schneider, Brenda Hsueh and Brooke McWherter
10 - 10:30 a.m. BREAK
12 - 1 p.m. LUNCH
2:30 - 3 p.m. BREAK
Conference Welcome Reception
7 - 10 p.m. Introductions by Cedric McLeod, executive director of the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association (CFGA)
* All times are in Eastern Standard Time. Agenda subject to change.
CFGA Conference Day 1
Theme: Grassland and Pastures
Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. BREAKFAST
8:30 - 5:30 p.m. TRADE SHOW
Policy & Programming
8:45 - 10 a.m. Welcome and Keynote Kick-off
Perennial Forages as Key Contributors to Sustainable Agriculture
Dr. Ralph Martin, retired from University of Guelph
Talk Summary: Across Canada, many farms were mixed crop-livestock farms and included perennial forages in rotations. With specialization, crop farms tended to rely less on forages. However, perennial forages are returning in traditional and unique ways as agronomists and farmers appreciate their potential to restore and maintain soil health and biodiversity.
10 - 10:30 a.m. Special Address
Hon. Senator Robert Black
10:30 - 10:40 a.m. Panel Q&A with speakers
10:40 - 11:05 a.m. BREAK
11:05 - 11:25 a.m. Habitat and Biodiversity Assessment Tool for Ontario
Meagan Morey, Blazing Star
Talk Summary: An insightful session on the customization of the Habitat and Biodiversity Assessment Tool specifically tailored for Ontario’s distinct ecological landscape. This presentation will explore the unique approach taken to adapt the tool for the province’s diverse habitats, which support over 200 species at risk. Discover how this tailored tool can translate into actionable strategies as we delve into the specific challenges and opportunities presented by Ontario’s agricultural landscapes, highlighting practical applications of the tool to foster coexistence between farming practices and biodiversity conservation.
11:25 - 11:45 a.m. GLKH Launch
John Pattison Williams, University of Alberta/Pattison Consulting
11:45 - 12 p.m. Panel Q&A with speakers
12 - 1 p.m. LUNCH
Producers’ View on the Ground
1:05 - 1:35 p.m. Grazing Tools, Tips and New Technologies - Virtual Cattle Fence (eShepherd)
Tim Prior, Brussels Agri-Services/ Gallagher
Talk Summary: Tim will discuss why you should choose to rotational graze. He will also share tools to make grazing easy and efficient and share information about the new e-Shepherd Virtual Fence.
1:35 - 2:05 p.m. Rotational Grazing - getting started and the journey
Brenda Hsueh, Farmers for Climate Solutions/Black Sheep Farm
2:05 - 2:35 p.m. Speaker TBA
2:35 - 2:55 p.m. Panel Q&A with speakers
2:55 - 3:15 p.m. BREAK
3:15 - 3:45 p.m. Ten Years of Beef Sustainability Progress and Looking to the Future
Monica Hadarits, Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB)
Talk Summary: This presentation will highlight the key milestones in Canadian beef sustainability over the past 10 years and provide an overview of opportunities for the future.
3:45 - 4:45 p.m. Closing Day 1 Keynote:
Advancing Grassland Management through Research and Producer Support: Lessons from Ontario Initiatives
Angela Straathof, Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA)
Talk Summary: The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association is uniquely positioned at the interface of on-farm research investigations, incentive program delivery, and farmer-driven knowledge transfer initiatives. As the delivery agent for the Agricultural Climate Solutions’ On-Farm Climate Action Fund and Living Lab programs, OSCIA mobilizes federal funding to incentivize practice change among grazing practitioners, forage-growers, and grassland-managers. These initiatives complement provincially-funded Species at Risk, On-Farm Applied Research and Monitoring, and Resilient Agricultural Landscape Programs - but not without challenges! How do farmers navigate an abundance of programming, and how are their needs and perspectives centered in a performance-measure-driven dynamic? The opportunities and challenges of Ontario’s suite of programming will be explored in this talk by OSCIA’s Director of Research and Knowledge Transfer.
4:45 - 4:50 p.m. Closing Messages
Conference Dinner (RSVP at registration)
6 - 8 p.m. Featuring CFGA Leadership Award
*Times are in Eastern Standard Time. Agenda Subject to Change.
CFGA Conference Day 2
Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024
Theme: Tame Forages and Markets
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. BREAKFAST
8:30 - 5:30 p.m. TRADE SHOW
8 - 8:45 a.m. CFGA Operational Update
Optimizing Production
8:45 - 9 a.m. Welcome & Ontario Forage Council Update
9 - 9:45 a.m. Keynote Talk: Increasing rates of soil carbon capture, soil health and landscape resilience through forage crop introduction
Martin Chantigny, soil scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada (AAFC)
9:45 - 10:15 a.m. Advances in Forages Breeding
Annie Classens, Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada
10:15 - 10:25 a.m. Panel Q&A with speakers
10:25 - 10:45 a.m. BREAK
10:50 - 11:15 a.m. Forage Quality
John Winchell, AITec
11:15 - 12 p.m. Field to Feed Panel: Balanced Nutrition/Agronomy Panel
Patrick Lynch, Courtney Vriens, and others
12 - 1:15 p.m. LUNCH
Young Farmers Forum Luncheon (RSVP at registration)
Forage Markets and the Future
1:30 - 1:50 p.m. Title TBA
Brooke McWherter, University of Nebraska
1:50 - 2:10 p.m. Overall Financial Markets and Projections
Aaron Goertzen, BMO
2:10 - 2:30 p.m. Status of Forage Export Markets
Josh Callen, The Hoyt Report
Talk Summary: An update on the status of the forage exports markets. Josh will discuss current supply and demand and different market dynamics. Finally, he’ll cover updates on market prices for forage products in the Western United States.
2:30 - 2:50 p.m. Panel Q&A with speakers
2:50 - 3:50 p.m. Closing Keynote
Succession: Integrating the next generations
Maggie van Camp, Loft32 with special guests Marc and Nia Jones
3:50 - 4 p.m. Closing remarks
Patricia Ellingwood, Ontario Forage Council & Cedric McLeod, CFGA
Hay Exporters Social (RSVP at registration)
6 - 8 p.m.
Join the CFGA for a night dedicated to the marketing and exporting of hay products. The Hay Exporter and Marketer Social is your opportunity to connect with key people with industry knowledge, learn about hay marketing and exports and discuss the opportunities and challenges in the hay marketing sphere.
*All times are Eastern Standard Time. Agenda subject to change.
Post-Conference Tour: Forage Focus (RSVP at registration)
Forage Focus 2024: Hay as a Cash Crop
Friday, Dec. 6, 2024,
Taking place Friday, Dec. 6, the CFGA’s popular post-conference tour is joining forces with the Ontario Forage Council’s (OFC) successful Forage Focus event. This year’s theme is Hay as a Cash Crop and this day-long tour includes stops at hay production hubs where leaders in the industry will share information about the markets available to Ontario hay producers. This is an excellent opportunity for those looking to expand their operation as well as those thinking about getting started with hay production.
Stop 1: Marcrest Hay Storage in Gorrie
Visit the hay dryers and check out an innovative hay storage facility.
Stop 2: Marcrest Manufacturing
Get to tour where the Bale Baron is manufactured. The Bale Baron is a machine that bundles small square bales and virtually eliminates the need to manually handle bales.
Lunch will be provided here, courtesy of Marcrest Manufacturing.
Stop 3: Marhaven in Drayton
Here you’ll get to see the Chinook hay dryers and the hay press. There will be a panel discussion about the opportunities that are present for hay producers, and what your potential buyers may be looking for. Come prepared with your questions!
A tradeshow will also be held at this location.
Cost: Free! But registration is required. Sign up for "Forage Focus Post Conference Tour" at conference registration (or here).
Please note: If you are registered for the CFGA Conference, you are eligible to ride the bus for the tour. The bus leaves the Delta Hotel in Guelph at 8 a.m. If you are not attending the CFGA Conference, you need to arrange your own transportation to each location. Address and further details will be provided to registered participants by email closer to the date of the event.
For sponsorship or tradeshow information, please contact Rebecca at [email protected].
For additional information on Forage Focus, visit the OFC website.