Farm tour expanded as CFGA conference countdown reaches final week

With just one week to go before the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association’s (CFGA) 17th Annual Conference, there’s even more reason to register.

New stop added

The CFGA has added a stop at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology to the popular pre-conference farm tour, where attendees will enjoy lunch while exploring one of Canada’s leading centres for agricultural innovation.

Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is recognized as one of Canada’s leading agricultural colleges and a hub for applied research, innovation, and workforce development. Through its Smart Farm and industry-driven research programs, Olds College helps producers, researchers, and technology developers test and adopt practical solutions that improve productivity, profitability, and environmental stewardship across the agriculture sector. Its leadership in smart agriculture, digital technologies, and hands-on education makes it an important contributor to the long-term success and competitiveness of Alberta and Western Canada’s agri-food industry.  

From grazing management to global markets

The farm tour on Nov. 9 is included with one-day and full conference registrations and offers a firsthand look at how innovation, stewardship and market development are shaping the future of Canada’s forage sector. It also features visits to two outstanding operations that highlight different but equally important parts of the forage value chain.

Wray Ranch: The day begins at Wray Ranch, where attendees will experience firsthand how innovative grazing management and environmental stewardship work together to build a resilient beef operation. Recognized as Alberta’s 2023 Environmental Stewardship Award recipient, the Wray family has transformed former cropland into productive perennial pastures. Through rotational grazing, careful paddock management and a commitment to improving soil health, water management and biodiversity, the ranch demonstrates how sustainable forage production can support both cattle performance and long-term landscape health.

Barr-Ag: In the afternoon, the tour heads to Barr-Ag, where attendees will see how Alberta-grown forage products reach customers around the world. As one of Canada’s leading exporters of timothy hay, non-GMO alfalfa, mixed hay, grains, oilseeds and pulse crops, Barr-Ag connects local producers to international markets through specialized processing, marketing and containerized shipping programs. The stop highlights the important role forage production plays in meeting global demand for high-quality Canadian agricultural products.

Conference starts in one week

Delivered in partnership with the Agriculture Research and Extension Council of Alberta (ARECA), the conference will bring together producers, researchers, industry leaders and policymakers from across Canada under the theme Canadian Forage Systems: Designing for Durability.

The program focuses on building resilient, productive and sustainable forage and grassland systems that can withstand climate pressures, market volatility and evolving land-use demands. Attendees will enjoy two days of educational sessions featuring cutting-edge research, practical grazing and forage management insights, and discussions that connect science, policy and on-farm experience.

In addition to the conference sessions, participants can take part in farm tours, hands-on workshops, a trade show and valuable networking opportunities with forage and grazing leaders from across the country.

Time is running out to register for the CFGA’s 17th Annual Conference, taking place Nov. 9 to 12, 2026, at the Best Western Calgary Premier Plaza in Calgary, Alberta. The registration deadline is Friday, Nov. 6. View the conference agenda and register here.