Grab a ticket, a seat and a piece of pie, because Grey Bruce Farmer’s Week (GBFW) is celebrating 60 years of agricultural education.
Why it matters: The long-standing grassroots conference and trade show has offered in-person educational days on the beef, dairy, goat, sheep, crop, and horse industries during the first whole week of January since 1966.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, GBFW provided a sense of normalcy by livestreaming a modified lineup, an option that remains a popular addition today for those further afield.
This year, from Jan. 7 to 12, Elmwood Community Centre will host Anne Wasko, discussing market outlooks on Beef Day; Dr. Jodie Wallace, tackling herd fertility on Dairy Day; and Jelle Vogels, teaching Goat Day producers how to maximize return over feed. On Sheep Day, Justin Woodward will dive into solar grazing, while Steven Rosvold rounds up the crowd on the benefits of herd dogs in livestock operations.
Dr. Ian Bishop will be looking that gift horse in the mouth to discuss equine dentistry on Horse Day, while Cody Hammer, Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer, and Ryan Nichols, Enforcement Supervisor, for the Waterloo district, drive home road safety in the agricultural industry on Crop Day.
There won’t be an Ecological Day this year; instead, sustainability themes are interwoven throughout the week.
If that doesn’t catch your fancy, there will be panel discussions each day, including Bullseye: Hitting the Mark in Sire Selection, raising thriving calves, grass and pasture management, my favourite drill and the autonomous ag frontier, not to mention the On-Demand presentations included in every ticket purchase.
Pre-purchased tickets are required for livestreaming and suggested for in-person attendance. However, in-person registration begins at 9 a.m., just in case you can get away from the farm last minute – or wiggle out of another commitment.
Tickets include HST and cost $50 per day for in-person or livestream, bundle three days for $120 or $160 to livestream the whole week. Sadly, livestreaming tickets don’t include the hot roast beef dinner, pie dessert or access to the tradeshow that in-person attendees enjoy.
For more information, visit www.GBFW.ca, email info@greyagservice.ca, or call the office at 519-986-3756.
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