The 13th Annual Pacific Agriculture Show will showcase the latest and most innovative equipment and technology for the agriculture industry from Jan. 27-29. More than 250 dealers and manufacturers will display their wares at the Tradex Exhibition Centre in Abbotsford, British Columbia.
Prior to the start of the show, the Ministry of Agriculture has put together a Dairy Farm Tour package for Wednesday, Jan. 26. This program is voluntary, and producers can elect to visit all or some of the farms listed for visits.
The visiting times vary from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and others from 10 a.m. to 3 and 4 p.m. A complete list of the farms, including a map detailing their location, is available by calling John Luymes in Abbotsford at (604) 556-3114.
The B.C. Dairy Expo is a two-day event starting on Thurs. Jan 27 at 10 a.m. Most sessions will be held in the BMO (Bank of Montreal) Dairy Room and will focus on energy, family planning and manure management. Progressive Dairyman asked each of the Dairy Expo speakers to comment on their presentations.
Scroll down, or click a link below to see additional information about the presentations and the event:
- Jennifer Woods, Fit for Transport
- Carla DeGroot, DairyPro BC Update
- Dr. Victor Lo, Dairy Manure Management
- Elaine Froese, Preventing Communication Disasters
- More information
- Related resources
Jennifer Woods
Livestock Transportation Expert
Session Topic: Fit For Transport
Why is this topic important?
The transport of unfit animals is one of the most vulnerable areas of animal welfare for the dairy industry. Making sure an animal is fit for the trip is critical to its welfare during transport.
What do you hope attendees will take away from this presentation?
A clearer understanding of what is considered fit and what is not considered fit; ways to manage the risk of possibly shipping compromised animals. They need to be made aware of the impact the shipment of unfit animals has on not only the dairy industry, but also the livestock industry as a whole.
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Carla DeGroot
Producer Services Coordinator
Session Topic: DairyPro BC Update
Why is this topic important?
This topic is important because the program was created by BC’s dairy producers for BC’s dairy producers, and it can benefit all producers in the province.
What do you hope attendees will take away from this presentation? Attendees will hopefully take away a willingness to take on apprentices, and an understanding of the importance of the program.
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Dr. Victor Lo
Professor in Civil Engineering Department
Session Topic: An Integrated Approach to Dairy Manure Management – Environmental Protection/Nutrient Recovery/Energy Production
Why is this topic important?
With the increasing public awareness of environmental issues, and the fact that every dairy farm has to deal with manure management, it is important to have a correct understanding of the various key components involved in manure management. The talk is aimed at pollution prevention, bioenergy production and nutrient recovery.
What do you hope attendees will take away from this presentation?
Animal manure is, and should be treated as, a resource, which if properly managed can assure a sustainable dairy operation with benefits of efficient bioenergy production and better nutrient utilization and/or recovery.
Elaine Froese
Certified Coach
Session Topics: Discuss the Undiscussabulls & Do The Tough Things Right – How to Prevent Communication Disasters in Family Business
Why are these topics important?
Farm families are asking for help to start tough conversations about fairness to farming heirs and non-business heirs, sweat equity compensation, and lifestyle dollar needs. Folks are overwhelmed with the complexity of a multitude of plans, and I help them break those down into smaller steps that are actionable.
What do you hope attendees will take away from these presentations?
A sense of knowing what they have to do next, and how to do it. “Talk does not cook rice.” (Chinese Proverb). A participant last week in Alberta said my presentation was “mind- bending,” so he had some mental shifts of now knowing how to deal with the three levels of resistance, address the intent and wants of all parties; and learning how to have a family meeting to get conversations flowing so expectations are clarified and timelines for agreements are honored.
MORE INFO
New for 2011, an Agri Energy Forum will be held on Friday, Jan. 28. Beginning at 9 a.m., it will focus on renewable energy pricing, anaerobic digestion, renewable agri-energy technologies and renewable energy financing.
The Building Business Success forum also takes place at 9 a.m. on Friday. It will involve two main speakers – Elaine Frose, farm family business coach, and Al Scholz, management consultant – and a panel of local producers. The object of the panel discussion is to help producers learn how to develop their business planning skills and improve their farm’s financial performance.
Dairy producers in British Columbia will be mailed two free three-day passes to B.C. Dairy Expo, compliments of Meyers Norris Penny LLP, which will also admit them to all three days of the show. All MNP pass holders receive one free registration into Dairy Expo Seminars, Agri-Energy Forum and the Building Business Success program. Visit www.agricultureshow.net for more information on the Pacific Agriculture Show.
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