The Rural Voice, 2005-09, Page 10SEEING
IS BELIEVING
Canada's Outdoor Farm Show continues its
tradition of showing farmers how nein
products work
By Keith Roulston
(from files from COFS)
The Lely robotic milking demonstration is a popular
attraction (top). Farmers like to compare results at the
crop plots (above, left). The new Precision Farming
Expo will demonstrate GPS (above right). A cattle -
handling demo featuring automated tag reading will be
introduced this year to show beef producers the benefits
and ease of individual animal traceability (below). The
pond and wetland sponsored by Ducks Unlimited will
illustrate water protection (bottom).
6 THE RURAL VOICE
First-ever Poultry and Precision Farming Expos, an
innovative Bio -Products and Bio -Fuels Bonanza are
among the highlights of Canada's Outdoor Farm
Show at Woodstock. September 13, 14 and 15.
The new features will join such favourites as machinery
demonstrations, crop plots and interactive displays that
have helped to make the show a hit over its 12 -year history.
"Canada's Outdoor Farm Show has truly become
Canada's leading and premier technology transfer
showcase". said Ginty Jocius, president of the show.
And not just for Canadians: international attendance is
expected to increase dramatically this year. Up to 20U
international farmers will attend the Show as part of
Canadian agricultural tour groups arranged through
AgriTours Canada Inc. Delegates from Switzerland and
China have been confirmed so far and representatives from
several other countries are expected to join them as they
explore the Show, learning more about Canadian
agriculture.
The latest in computer technology for farm equipment —
including GPS (Global Positioning Systems), auto steer
and on -board systems — will show farmers at the Precision
Farming Expo how to increase their yields while saving
time and money. "We're helping farmers find better ways
to manage their farm inputs so at the end of the day there's
more money in their pockets." says sales and
demonstration co-ordinator Clare Elston.
Farmers can learn about and observe how GPS and
auto -steer systems can guide a tractor, planter, sprayer or
other piece of equipment through a field without overlap or
much effort from the driver. This automatic mapping
system can save farmers time, seed and the cost of spray -
damaged crops. and can reduce ground compaction for
increased soil fertility.
On -board systems will also be demonstrated in the field.
Such systems car instantly display crop intake and
moisture level or detect low -yield areas, allowing farmers
to compensate for poor conditions by adjusting seed, spray
and fertilizer quantities at next planting.
The Precision Farming Expo joins the popular tillage
demos, which are returning this year to showcase disc
harrows, plows, no -till equipment, soil -levelling equipment
and other tillage machinery.
"The field demos are an integral part of the Show," says
Elston. "They offer farmers a chance to see equipment in
action and learn about the latest advancements in big iron."
Shuttle rides are available to the field where tillage
demos will take place each afternoon at 12:30 p.m..
followed by the precision farming demos.
The Poultry Expo and new demonstrations added to the
livestock line-up in all sectors — dairy, beef, swine.
sheep/goat, companion animal and nutrient
management/clean water — should make Livestock Central
an even bigger draw this year, including a live, on-site
auction as a major focal point in the program, livestock
marketing co-ordinator Jordon Underhill expects .
"There are so many excellent livestock management
technologies becoming available," says Underhill. "The
Show offers farmers the chance to see these technologies
operating in an interactive setting."
The Show's newest livestock expo is dedicated to
poultry producers. The 30 -foot by 350 -foot pavilion — the