“This is an educational opportunity, but it has also become an event for the community. This is that midwinter break where our industry can get together- there’s fellowship, there's people getting to see each other again… and we do a really, REALLY great hot meal.”
All are welcome to attend the 38th Annual Brokenhead River Agricultural Conference, put on in partnership with Manitoba Agriculture. Happening February 4th and 5th in Beausejour, it is an opportunity for farmers and agricultural partners alike to network and learn about industry topics before once again diving into the planting season.
Terry Buss, Crop Production Extension Specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, is pleased to continue Manitoba Ag’s partnership with this valuable event put on by the Brokenhead River Agricultural Society.
“What’s been great about the partnership with the Ag Society is they’ve come to us as people who work in that industry, and have said ‘what does our industry in eastern and northeastern Manitoba need to know this winter?’ And then they’ve allowed Manitoba Ag to go out and find the speakers needed to address a variety of topics.”
February 4th is Beef & Forage Day, and February 5th will tackle Grain Production. Buss says that concurrent sessions had been an issue in the past, as attendants often wish to be part of two events happening at the same time. This issue has been resolved with the two-day lengthening of the event, where only one topic will be addressed in each time slot.
Sessions on the Beef & Forage Day include the updated Manitoba Livestock Manifest, calf health, the Canadian Cow-Calf survey, and the 2024 Pasture Survey Outcomes.
For the Grain Production Day topics include verticillium stripe in canola production, the spring forecast, navigation of regulatory requirements for drone use for pesticide application, insect management, and managing the current cost-price squeezes.
Both days will also include draws, coffee, the tradeshow, and a hot lunch.
“It’s worth the 20 bucks just to have this meal!” Buss jokes.
The trade show boasts over five dozen displays at the Brokenhead River Community Hall, covering all aspects of the industry. These include machinery and input suppliers, steel construction, insurance, finance, fuel and lubricants, and more. The technical program will take place at the Legion next door, which can seat nearly 200 guests.
There are two grand prize draws this year, provided by the event’s Platinum sponsors. The first is a 4200 watt generator from Leo’s Sales and Service, and the second is from Bunge, offering farm pickup of one load of canola delivered to their plant in Altona, as well as a large deep fryer and 16 litres of canola oil.
“Both of these folks, it’s just great that they’re here. They’ve been very generous with their time and money, and those grand prizes just add a little bit of excitement to the show.”
Buss hopes that, while he and his coworker Kristen Bouchard Teasdale are part of the event through Manitoba Agriculture, the real heroes come from the Brokenhead River Agricultural Society. Tasks include ground logistics, technical support, coffee and catering, rental management, accounting, online communications, even connecting with clients and sponsors, to name a few. Each and every one of these tasks were completed by volunteers.
“It’s a pretty rare thing nowadays, to have something where folks are that dedicated,” Buss notes. “They’ve put in a huge amount of time for this event, hundreds of hours. So we’re very thankful to have them.”
No pre-purchase or registration is necessary for this event. Admission is $20 at the door. Gates open at 8:30 AM both days, where guests will be provided with their meal ticket and have their names entered into the grand prize draws. Guests are welcome to come and go as they please.
For more information about the Brokenhead River Agricultural Conference February 4th and 5th, visit their website, or check out the flyer below.
