Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
If the line-up of presenters at the Southwest Agri-Business Conference in Gull Lake on November 30 is indicative of the spirit of innovation with which the region is infused, the event will be well worth attending.
Gerry Holland, a Business Planning Specialist at Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, is one of the organizers of the “Creative Innovation in Agriculture” conference.
“This is an opportunity to bring together agricultural producers, entrepreneurs, business leaders and community economic development professionals to share some of the creative transformations occurring on farms and in agricultural operations in our part of the world,” Holland says.
“Last year, we held the event in Eastend. We are moving its location around to reach as many as possible in the Southwest. We bring in speakers who have often broken new ground in their agricultural activities.”
Speakers include people like Cam McLeod, a Cabri fruit producer who has successfully ventured into this emerging agricultural sector.
To elaborate on the opportunities around fruit production, Richard Wharton, a Production Economics Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, will share some of the latest findings around apples and cherries. Holland says opportunities are numerous with fruits.
“Apples, especially, could be very profitable for fresh eating or storage. We are finding more varieties with winter hardiness. There are opportunities in the processing sector, as well. The prospect of producing 20 to 40 pounds per tree, in smaller trees where the fruits are easier to pick, that can be developed at a lower cost than elsewhere in the country because of the lower cost of the land in Saskatchewan—all this bodes well for producers.”
Add to that the fact that apple and cherry trees can be grown in a wide range of soils, and that there are opportunities to build small processing plants, and you have a winning combination.
“Plus, processors increasingly have access to facilities like the Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre at the University of Saskatchewan to develop actual value-added products. That is what Dan Prefontaine will share with participants at the Gull Lake conference,” adds Holland.
Other presenters will include Brad Nelson, General Manager of Honeybee Manufacturing in Frontier, who will talk about opportunities, obstacles and obligations in rural business activities.
Gord Colledge of Lethbridge will elaborate on how he helps prairie families cope with economic downturns and personal reversals, with a view to guiding community professionals in the process of becoming adaptive leaders in an unstable environment.
Leslie Johnson of Fillmore will also share some of his findings on the use of ultrasound in his post-BSE cattle marketing activities.
“We should also mention a contribution from Marty and Marie Bohnet of Cypress Hills Vineyard and Winery in Maple Creek, who are involved in a very innovative agri-business venture.”
There will be something for everyone at the conference, which will be held at Gull Lake’s Elks Hall from 9:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Admission is $15.00 per person and $25 per couple. Lunch is included.
Co-sponsors for the event include Southwest Community Futures, Cypress Hills REDA, Western Economic Diversification, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Agriculture Institute of Management in Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, as well as local sponsors Southwest Credit Union, Royal Bank and Southwest Terminal.
Pre-registration is required by November 25. Call 1-888-667-7923 or (306) 773-0900 for more details.
For more information, contact:
Gerry HollandBusiness Planning Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
(306) 787-4051
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