The goal hasn’t changed since the first FarmTech conference in 2000 — helping farmers who are seeking to gain an edge from the latest technology, innovations, and top-flight experts.
“Producers will be able to choose from a variety of concurrent speakers whose only appearance in Alberta this year will be at FarmTech 2015,” said conference co-ordinator Rick Taillieu.
This year’s event features nearly three dozen speakers, but a couple of big names has Taillieu particularly excited — keynote speakers Jason Dorsey, known as the ‘Gen Y Guy,’ and CBC news anchor Peter Mansbridge.
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“Dorsey got rave reviews and covers four generations, just like many family farms do,” said Taillieu. “And Mansbridge loves Canada as much as farmers do.”
This year the FarmTech committee put more dollars and effort into the lineup of concurrent speakers. The lineup includes Canadian International Grains Institute CEO JoAnne Buth (Durum, Dumplings, and Dollars — What Wheat Customers are Saying), family business expert John Fast (The Ultimate Management Challenge: Succeeding at Succession), and Jim Painter, a professor emeritus from Eastern Illinois University who will speak on selling food on flavour and visual appeal as well as nutrition (Sensual Nutrition).
With the debate on neonics capturing headlines across North America, Alberta honey producer Lee Townsend is likely to be a big draw, with the Spruce Grove beekeeper addressing not only what is happening to bees in Canada, but also locally.
Of course, agronomic issues will also be in the spotlight.
“There will be sessions where producers can take home information and put it to work on their farm,” Taillieu said.
This includes sessions on fertilizer seed placement, canola clubroot resistance, and resistant weeds.
Attendees will also have the option to take in producer group meetings or events. The Alberta Canola Producers Commission and the Alberta Pulse Growers will be holding their 25th annual general meetings during the conference. The Alberta Wheat Commission will also hold its AGM, and the Alberta Barley Commission and the Alberta Seed Growers Association will be holding special events.
FarmTech also has a trade show for event sponsors, with a specially chosen organization given feature billing.
“Every year the FarmTech Foundation donates booth space to an organization,” Taillieu said. “Last year was the Man Van (which raises awareness of the importance of early detection of prostate cancer). This year STARS (air ambulance) will have a display of what to expect if it is ever needed on your farm.”
Offering farmers relevant information for their operations is always the key goal, but the planning committee crafts the lineup to give them a better understanding of both where their individual farm and Alberta is positioned. Taillieu said he hopes producers take away and implement new ideas from one of four areas: technology, environment, agronomy, and management.
The event, which runs from Jan. 27 to 29 at Edmonton Expo Centre at Northlands, is hosted by the FarmTech Foundation of Alberta. The foundation is a registered not-for-profit society committed to agricultural extension, specifically crop production and farm management. Its members are also the event’s host groups: Alberta Canola Producers Commission, Alberta Pulse Growers, Alberta Barley Commission, Alberta Wheat Commission, and the Alberta Seed Growers’ Association.
