Conference to Provide Insight into Agricultural Opportunities

source: Farm and Food Report

All eyes in the Southwest will soon focus on Eastend, as a fine line-up of leaders and facilitators will share their knowledge at the Managing Through Change Agricultural Development Conference at Eastend’s Memorial Hall on March 2, 2005.

SAFRR’s Trevor Lennox is a Forage Development Specialist and one of the conference organizers.

“This event is geared towards primary producers and agri-entrepreneurs,” Lennox says. “They will find in our presenters and the business experiences they will share some wisdom, as well as useful tools that will help them identify opportunities and means to integrate a value-added dimension to their agricultural endeavours.”

The conference will include a report from the Agri-ARM (Applied Research Management) project on cropping opportunities for southwest Saskatchewan, through applications of new technologies for the grain industry, with Jody McConnell from SAFRR.

Later, Con Johnson, the Chair of Great Western Railway Ltd., will share some of the challenges he and his partners faced when they raised capital for their short line rail project.

Jody Fennell and Don Declercq of Pine Cree Cattle Company will speak about developments on their proposed feedlot initiative over the last year, after which Jack Salmon of Cypress Agri-Energy will bring participants up to date on the ethanol plant they propose to start building in the area.

John Parker of the Southwest Community Futures Development Corporation will make a presentation titled Financing for Value-Added Operations: how to access the latest information on government programs and services, with a view to getting projects off the ground

Lindsay Routledge of Canfax, an organization that keeps statistics on cattle markets and inventories, will follow with an update and outlook. Routledge will comment on potential BSE strategies and opportunities for producers, as we anticipate the border re-opening to live cattle on March 7, 2005.

As change, planning, evaluating and management skills are becoming increasingly important in agricultural activities, Barb Stefanyshyn-Cote — the Outstanding Young Farmer of Canada in 2001 — will give “farm-style” tips on making good decisions and processes to help make farms and businesses successful.

Last but not least, the legendary Red Williams of Saskatchewan Agri-Vision Inc. will share his perspective on the outlook and future opportunities in the beef sector.

“Mr. Williams is quite looking forward to his visit,” explains Lennox. “This whole day is a chance to look ahead for agricultural operations and associated businesses, at a time when challenges abound. But there are also some successes and inspiring stories as well. We are simply providing a forum where these stories can be told, along with providing useful information.”

The co-sponsors for this event include the South West Community Futures Corporation, Cypress Hills REDA, AIMS, Western Economic Diversification, AAFC Renewal Programs, and SAFRR.

Registration deadline is February 28; it costs $10 and includes lunch. For more information and to register, call (306) 778-8285 or 662-4299.

For more information, contact:

Trevor Lennox
Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization
(306) 787-4051

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