2010 Western Canadian Grazing Conference
CANADA - The 2010 edition of the Western Canadian Grazing Conference will be held December 1-2, 2010, in Vermilion.“Always wanted to learn about training stock dogs? Interested in prairie climate cycles? Or have you wondered about soil formation and how that has impacted your land?” asks Stephanie Kosinski, forage specialist, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Camrose. “If you have, the 2010 edition of the Western Canadian Grazing Conference could be for you.”
For the first time, the Western Canadian Grazing Conference is being held in a rural community.
“The organising committee decided to move the conference to Vermilion from Edmonton to help revitalise it and forge a stronger connection with rural Alberta,” says Ms Kosinski. “In addition to the venue change, we decided to depart from the traditional conference format with the creation of lab sessions. These sessions give attendees the chance to get first-hand experience with a topic of their choice.”
The conference organising committee has partnered with Lakeland College to deliver these lab sessions. “Attendees will be able to ask experts and gain experience on a wide range of topics,” says Ms Kosinski. “These include ration formulation using Cowbytes, using ultrasound, plant id, riparian health, and even how the college’s cow herd like grazing corn!”
Award winning farm journalist and agrologist Wendy Holm opens the conference on December 1 with a discussion on whether the current state of agricultural production is sustainable. Concurrent sessions that follow on the first day include pasture rejuvenation, extending the grazing season, stockpiled grazing, and genetic testing.
“The first day ends with a chance to relax, kick back, and ruminate on the day’s teachings at the evening banquet, where a special speaker will discuss what he has learned from hockey and managing cattle,” says Ms Kosinski.
The second day starts off with Dr David Sauchyn from the University of Regina. Dr Sauchyn will highlight climate cycles on the prairies from the past, and what these cycles might mean for the future. Another round of concurrent sessions on multi-species grazing, understanding your soil, and nutrition, follows.
“Don Campbell, a certified educator with Holistic Management, will then close the conference on a high note when he explains how producers can increase production by applying some basic principles,” says Ms Kosinski.
To get more information, contact the Ag-Info Centre at 310-FARM (3276), ARECA (Agricultural Research and Extension Council of Alberta) at 780-416-6046, or visit either the ARECA website at www.areca.ab.ca or the “Coming Events” section on Alberta Agriculture’s webpage at www.agriculture.alberta.ca.
TheCattleSite News Desk