For a second year in a row, this year’s 56th annual Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week 2022 conference will take place entirely online. COVID-19 continues to create uncertainty, forcing organizers to make the decision to ‘go virtual’ once more.
The educational content will be delivered right to producers’ farm offices, kitchen tables, or tractors through the continued partnership with CTRE Productions. A virtual conference removes the distance barrier so that producers can attend from across the province, country, or even internationally. Networking with fellow producers and agri-business representatives will not be limited by the online platform. Morning Mingles, Afternoon Exchanges, and speaker Q and A sessions will facilitate interactions that we are all missing.
The 2022 Virtual Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week (#GBFW22), will run from Tuesday, January 4th to Tuesday, January 11th. The seven-day Conference will be packed with an impressive and informative line-up of speakers.
The week starts with a bonus Check Your Tech Tuesday (CYTT). This day is complimentary with the purchase of any other daily ticket. It is meant to be an opportunity to log onto the conference platform, become comfortable with its navigation ahead of the commodity days of interest, plus participate in engaging discussions.
Beef Day is on Wednesday, followed by Dairy, Goat, Sheep, Ecological, and Crops days. The week will include live and pre-recorded sessions. Presentations will be available in real-time on the commodity day, but importantly will also be available during the 30-Day Encore Access, so that participants can engage in the sessions on their own schedules, at their own pace. Each day starts with a 10:45 am welcome, with the presentations concluding around 4:00 pm (varies/day). *Of note, there is no programming on Sunday, January 9th. The conference offers over 47 sessions covering a vast array of topics targeting the issues and challenges facing the farming community today.
As always, exciting Discussion Panels have been developed for 2022. These panels include:
- Three excellent discussions on CYTT, Jan. 4th. Marty Seymour from FCC, and the Honourable Senator Rob Black, will discuss The Future of Agriculture in Canada, with Andrew Campbell, the Fresh Air Farmer facilitating. This session is sponsored by Bowler and Company CPA. In the afternoon, officers from the OPP and the MTO will respond to questions about Farm Implements on the Roadway. Please note that this presentation will not be recorded and must be joined in real-time. As an On-Demand feature, Jackie Ralph from CMHA Grey-Bruce, and Deborah Vanberkel, a registered psychotherapist with Cultivate Counselling, will have a fireside chat about Mental Health in Agriculture. The Mental Health discussion is sponsored by Ontario Federation of Agriculture.
- On Beef Day, Jan. 5th, four producers, one who is also a veterinarian, will share their Calving Tips. This discussion is sponsored by Grey and Bruce Beef Farmers.
- On Dairy Day, Jan. 6th, three panelists will share their perspectives on the Sustainability of the Dairy Industry. This discussion is sponsored by Germania Mutual Insurance, Pioneer, and TD Canada Trust.
- On Goat Day, Jan. 7th, we have asked three goat producers to provide tips about Year-Round Breeding. This panel is sponsored by Partner Ag Services.
- On Sheep Day, Jan. 8th, one producer and two nutritionists will tease out Reducing Feed Costs.
- On Ecological Day, Jan. 10th, four panelists with delve into the Carbon Countdown. This discussion is sponsored by Grey County Economic Development.
- On Crops Day, Jan 11, there are 2 discussion panels. Watch the Soil Health Panel in real-time, where 3 members of the Ontario Soil Health Network will divulge their on-farm soil health tips and tricks. This discussion is sponsored by Marquardt Farm Drainage. Watch the On-Demand session where 3 researchers and an agronomist will participate in the panel, Cover Crops, Digging Deeper, to answer submitted questions pertaining to cover crops.
For details on registration, full daily agendas, a list of speakers, and lists of sponsors and exhibitors, please visit the Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week website: www.gbfw.ca. Additionally, do not forget to follow Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @GBFarmersWeek, #GBFW22. If you have any questions, please call 519-986-3756, or email info@greyagservices.ca.
