The Rural Voice, 2002-12, Page 5619-65 HP 4WD
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52 THE RURAL VOICE
AgriTech
Conference a chance to learn first hand
Janice
Becker is a
computer
enthusiast
and
journalist
living near
Walton, ON.
When 1 sat down to write this
month's column, I already had the.
idea worked out. Half the words were
on paper when I received a pamphlet
in the mail.
My original idea got postponed to
a later date; maybe, as I thought I
might discuss an upcoming
conference.
The 10th Annual Southwest
Agricultural Conference, presented
by the Southwest Soil and Crop
Association, January 8 and 9, at
Ridgetown College, offers more than
40 different seminars and diverse
guest speakers.
Though I often write about
information that can be obtained via
the Internet, this conference is an
opportunity to learn about new
technologies, strategies, policies and
theories first hand.
One of the feature speakers, Gord
Miller, Environmental Commissioner
of Ontario, will discuss rural water
quality problem solving. Brian
Doidge of the Ontario Corn
Producers' Association will talk
about 'The U.S. Farm Bill in Plain
English".
One session, which promises to be
filled with fireworks, is the panel
chaired by Ross Daily, featuring
"crop production pundits" who will
face-off against each other and
participants' questions. On the panel
will be Pat Lynch from Cargill, Peter
Johnston of OMAF, Cathy Soanes of
NK and Rob Templeman of Pioneer
Hi -Bred Ltd.
Also in the corn production field,
Francis Childs of Iowa, the winner of
the U.S. National Corn Growers
Association contest, and Thys
Tolienar from the University of
Guelph will discuss increasing corn
yields to 400 bushels/acre and plant
potential.
Organic cropping will be on the
agenda as Fred Magdoff of the
University of Vermont deals with
enhancing soils and reducing the Toss
of organics with various cultivation
systems.
Legal issues will also be on the
table when Ottawa lawyer Don Good
talks about spray drift laws and
nutrient management liability.
The session fronted by Christoph
Kessel of OMAF will supplement
Good's discussion when he deals
with "Nutrient Management — The
Act and the Regs".
John Dick of BDO Dunwoody will
cover financial concerns with a tax
update and Peter Mantel. Famme and
Company, will have news from
NISA.
As well, topics covered will
include insects, weeds, landscaping,
herbicides, marketing. new crops,
grazing and property security.
An issue that has been in the news
a lot in the last year is bio -terrorism.
Andre Levesque of AAFC will talk
about the potential and preparedness.
This only touches on the vast array of
subjects to be covered in two days.
With 40 plus subjects, and just 14
time slots, participants may have
difficulty choosing which to attend.
There are also planter and compact-
ion clinics that take up two slots.
An industry trade show will
provide participants with the
opportunity to look at innovations
and talk to suppliers.
Though the pamphlet said to check
out the OMAF website at
www.gov.on.ca/OMAFRA/english/in
dex.html, I could find no valuable
information in mid-November. It may
be posted later. A call to the college
at 1-519-674-1512 or 1-866-222-
9682 should provide the necessary
paperwork.
Early registration, prior to
December 13, affords attendees a
discounted rate of $15 per day and
eligibility for free draws. Pre-
registration must be submitted by Jan.
3, 2003. Walk-in registration is
acceptable.
Contact me at
jlbecker@wightman.ca or through
The Rural Voice office, with topic
suggestions or feedback.0