February and March is show and conference season. Here is a breakdown of some of the upcoming events.
South Western Ontario Pork Conference
Wed., Feb. 19
Location: University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus at 120 Main Street East at Ridgetown
Event: The event will feature four presentations, including nursery management, a local health update, a producer profile and optimizing feeding and management strategies. There is also an industry trade show and an innovation contest for pork producers who have original ways to save time and money.
Price: Before Feb. 12, the cost is $25 and $10 for students. After Feb. 12, the cost is $40 for everyone.
Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention
Wed., Feb. 19 and Thurs., Feb. 20
Location: Scotiabank Convention Centre at 6815 Stanley Ave. at Niagara Falls
Event: Two-day event includes about 100 sessions, including a focus on hops, berries, sweet corn, food safety, tender fruit, food innovation and soil precision planting and mapping. Almost 200 exhibitors are expected at the trade show.
Price: Prices range from $40 to $100 until Feb. 12, and $40 to $144 after Feb. 12.
Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario conference
Wed., Feb. 19 and Thurs., Feb. 20
Location: Best Western Lamplighter Inn at 591 Wellington Rd. at London
Event: At least 35 presentations on topics that include soil health and nutrient availability, soil health enemies, strip till tweaks, enhanced nitrogen fertilizers, working perennial covers into rotations, using the 4Rs to increase yields and using glyphosate wisely.
Price: Each day is $180, or $305 for both days.
Southwestern Ontario Dairy Symposium
Thurs., Feb. 20
Location: 875 Nellis St. at Woodstock
Event: Includes 130 exhibitors. Four presentations include revisiting antibiotic use at dry-off (learn from experiences in the Netherlands); the future of Canadian agriculture with Sylvain Charlebois; planning for non-authorized visitors on the farm; and opportunities to improve herd reproductive performance.
Price: $20
London Farm Show
Wed., March 6 to Friday, March 8
Location: Western Fair District Agriplex at 845 Florence St. at London
Event: The largest indoor farm show in Eastern Canada includes 370 exhibitors, a family zone with corn maze, free parking and at least three speakers each day.
Price: Seniors are $13, students are $5, children 11 years old and younger are free, and everyone else is $16.
Drayton Farm Show
Wed., March 25 to Thurs., March 26
Location: PMD Arena Complex at 68 Main St. W at Drayton
Event: Hosted by the Kinsmen Club of Drayton the two-day farm show will feature more than 100 exhibitors.
Price: Adults are $5, children are $2, kids aged eight and under are free. Fifty per cent of every admission is donated to Cystic Fibrosis research.
