News from the Canadian Forage & Grassland Association
Registration Open
for CFGA 2017 Conference in Guelph

Event recognizes importance of forage and grasslands to Canada's environment and economy
For Immediate Release
 
GUELPH, ONT. (Sept. 7, 2017) - The Canadian Forage and Grassland Association  (CFGA), in conjunction with the Ontario Forage Council , is pleased to host its 8th annual conference in Guelph, Ont., Nov. 14 to 16. Registration is open  for this exciting annual event that will highlight how the Canadian forage and grassland sector is a critical foundation for sustainable growth and development throughout the Canadian agricultural industry.
 
This year's theme is Next Generation Forage Cropping Systems: Profit Above, Wealth Below to recognize the important role forage and grasslands play in providing both economic and environmental benefits to Canadians from coast to coast.
 
"With a direct economic value of $5.09 billion and over 70 million acres in production, forage is the largest land use sector in Canadian agriculture and is the backbone of Canada's ruminant industry," says CFGA executive director Cedric MacLeod. "Perennial forage crops contribute significant carbon sequestration benefits to Canadian society and the CFGA is currently involved in work to quantify the volume and value of this extensive environmental resource through the Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Program."
 
The conference begins with an optional pre-conference tour on Tuesday, Nov. 14 which will feature Creek Edge Farms, a modern dairy facility using robotic technology; Marhaven Agri Inc. to see state-of-the-art hay drying equipment; Horst Welding, an equipment manufacturer that builds bale spears, buckets, farm wagons, snow blades and more; and the University of Guelph's Elora Research Station's beef and dairy facilities.
 
The main conference will include an exhibition of businesses and organizations that provide products or services to forage producers and grassland managers, or represent a conservation or land stewardship-based organization concerned with the continued loss of Canada's grasslands; a full line-up of speakers on such topics as soil carbon storage, forage exports, soil health enhancement and profitable forage systems; and virtual farm tours that feature innovative producers across the country.
 
A highlight of the conference is the CFGA awards luncheon on Nov. 16 when the New Holland-sponsored CFGA Leadership Award will be presented. This award recognizes an individual, group or organization that exemplifies or enhances the goals of the CFGA and whose leadership in the forage and grassland sector has impact of national and/or international significance. Nominations of candidates for the 2017 CFGA Leadership Award are due Oct. 1, 2017. Nomination forms are available on the   CFGA website .
 
"From the excellent pre-conference tour of Ontario forage projects to showcase regional initiatives to the local, national and international speakers who will give presentations during the conference, the Ontario organizing committee has set up a conference that will give all conference attendees an opportunity to bring ideas back to their own farms whether they are in Ontario or elsewhere in the country," says MacLeod.
About Canadian Forage and Grassland Association
Incorporated in 2010, the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association provides a national voice for all Canadians who produce hay and forage products and for those whose production is dependent upon forage/grassland production.
Media Contact:
Trudy Kelly Forsythe
CFGA Communications
Phone: 506-832-0338
Email address: info@canadianfga.ca
CFGA 2017 Conference Sponsors

  Canadian Forage & Grassland Association
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