Ag Gala
Kick off the Pacific Agriculture Show in style with an evening celebrating BC’s food, wine and agriculture industry. The 10th annual event starts at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 25, with a champagne reception at the Ramada Inn in Abbotsford.

The evening’s guest speaker is David Meslin, noted journalist and co-editor of Local Motion: The Art of Civic Engagement in Toronto.

For ticket reservations or sponsorship opportunities, contact the BCAC office at info@bcac.bc.ca or (604) 854-4454.

Agri Energy Forum
The highly popular and trend-setting Agri Energy Forum, organized by Matt Dickson, will again be a major highlight of the show. This 1.5-day forum will begin at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 26.

Renewable energy technology adoption continues to grow. Globally, farmers and food processors are increasingly taking advantage of renewable agri-energy technologies to maintain a more stable financial condition through energy independence and diversification. Topics include solar thermal, anaerobic digestion, geo- exchange and project financing.

The cost is $75 per person if registered prior to Jan. 10 and $90 per person if registering Jan. 10 onwards. Since seating is limited, pre-registration is highly recommended. Complete registration details are available at www.agricultureshow.net

BC Dairy EXPO
The 44th annual BC Dairy EXPO in the BMO Room gets underway at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 26, with the focus on lameness, regarded as the No. 1 animal welfare issue facing the dairy industry today. This presentation will provide an excellent overview and understanding of the many interrelated factors affecting hoof health.

Doug Johnstone from ARPE Hoof Trimming Ltd. will outline the results of a hoof health pilot study. His presentation will summarize interim findings of this study in terms of incidence and types of hoof lesions detected in 75-plus dairy farms.

Keynote speaker Dr. Jan Shearer will talk about foot warts, footbaths, foot sprays and foot wraps. This talk will address everything applicable to understanding the underlying causes, treatment and control of the various forms of digital and interdigital dermatitis.

The Dairy Producer BBQ luncheon, sponsored by BDO Chartered Accountants and Advisors, will be an opportunity to enjoy a hearty barbeque luncheon and network with all Dairy EXPO speakers, fellow producers and luncheon hosts.

Anyone without a free BBQ pass card that was distributed to BC Dairy EXPO seminar attendees will be required to pay $15 per person for the luncheon. The cost is $18 per person for anyone wanting a Friday luncheon ticket.

BC Dairy EXPO farm tours
Prior to the Pacific Agriculture Show, eight dairies and one agribusiness will graciously open their doors for individually guided tours. Visiting hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Lunch will be available at Kloot Farms from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Farm owners, building contractors and equipment suppliers will be on hand to answer questions.

See information on the individual farms below. For further information, call John Luymes at the Ministry of Agriculture in Abbotsford at (604) 556-3114.

Once again the chartered accountants and business advisors firm MNP will be sponsoring free parking for all those attending the Pacific Agriculture Show throughout the three days.

For more information regarding the 2012 Pacific Agriculture Show, call 604) 291-1553; email info@agricultureshow.net or go to www.agricultureshow.net  PD

Gifford Acres Farm Ltd., Abbotsford

Hosts: Allan & Dianne Mulder and Curtis & Katelyn Delange

• Compact robotic setup for three-row barn
• Separate vet room incorporated near robotic milking stations
• Calf hutches located outside near pasteurizer and service rooms

Kenmarank Farms Ltd., Abbotsford

Hosts: Gary and Lisa Keis and Family

• New 6-row barn and parlour facility for 125-milking-cow herd
• ID system with three-way sort gates
• Old parlour and holding area converted to calf nursery

Bakerview EcoDairy, Abbotsford

Host: Ingrid Epp c/o Bakerview EcoDairy Association

• Learning Center with theatre and educational displays
• Anaerobic digester, which has been digesting manure and milk fat for the past year

Note: This dairy will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Overflow parking available in the Sears/Starbucks lot.

Hugo Schroeder, Chilliwack

Host: Hugo Schroeder

• 32 feet of length added to existing barn to accommodate three robots
• Automated footbath
• Automated group calf feeder in sawdust “wedge-pack” barn

Dicklands Farms, Chilliwack

Hosts: Dick Families

• Largest robotic milking facility in western Canada with 280 cows and five robots
• Robotic barn cleaner
• Belt feeding system

Kloot Farms Ltd., Chilliwack

Hosts: Kloot Families

• 50-stall all stainless steel rotary parlour
• Automatic post teat dipping system is first of its kind in western Canada
• All stainless steel single-8 hospital parlour with direct line to calf room

Fraser Dyke Farms, Agassiz

Hosts: Adriaan and Carina Treur

• First robot straw/sawdust pack barn in western Canada
• Barn layout is a combination of group pens with straw and sawdust and slatted concrete floors along feed alley
• Group pens are roto-tilled twice daily to encourage composting to occur in the sawdust/straw mix; bedding removal is expected to be done once every two years.

Creekside Dairy, Agassiz

Hosts: Johannes and Julaine Treur

• New three-row 85-stall freestall barn with feed alley on one side
• New double-8 parabone parlour with plastic drinking troughs
• No dedicated holding area behind parlour; freestall alleys double as area where cows congregate before milking.

LSC Pre-Cast Systems Ltd., Chilliwack

Hosts: Brian and Sylvie Janssens

• New production facility for pre-cast components for manure storages, bunker silos, and livestock barns; suspended slabs; slatted floors; composting systems and bridges

Note: Visiting hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

-- From Pacific Agricultural Show news release