8th Annual CGFA Conference | American Forage and Grassland Council

8th Annual CFGA Conference

Meet our speakers

Don W. Lobb, P.Ag. (Hon),

Don Lobb & Associates

150-Year Retrospective on the Benefits of Soil to Long-term Production of Forages and Food

Don owned a successful farming operation and was heavily involved in innovation and agricultural research.

The farm became a model for sustainable land use for both agriculture and nature and attracted visitors from six continents. Don has experience with a wide range of agronomy practices, land drainage, nutrient management, pest management and erosion control. He was particularly successful in organizing collaboration among farmers and their supporters to accelerate the adoption of soil care practices.

His efforts have been recognized by the Soil and Water Conservation Society, the Soil Conservation Council of Canada, the Ontario Institute of Agrologists, the University of Guelph and Environment Canada. He maintains a keen and active interest in agriculture, particularly in sustainable soil management.

Richard Teague,

Texas A&M AgriLife Research

Restoring Soil Health and Farm Livelihoods

Richard Teague is a professor of ecosystem science and management with Texas A&M AgriLife Research and senior scientist of the Borlaug Institute.

Richard believes research and service must provide the linkage to enable managers to base decisions for sustainable land use on the principles of ecosystem function.

He uses four key elements to enhance this linkage:

a systems research program
resource accounting
long-term assessment
partnering with rancher clientele

He uses a systems approach in developing land and livestock management practices that sustain natural rangeland resources and the well-being of the people depending on the land.

The purpose of Teague's research is to conduct a ranch-scale, multi-county assessment that addresses the following three related objectives in the context of climate change mitigation and adaptation:

Determine the extent that grazing strategies influence key ecosystem services (especially soil and vegetation carbon sequestration), soil fertility and stability, water quality, net primary and secondary production and the economic viability of working ranches that contribute to the retention of open space and rural community health in the Southern Plains of the U.S.A.
Determine the extent that different grazing management strategies can be used by livestock producers to mitigate and adapt to alternative climate change scenarios
Evaluate the long-term economic consequences of using alternative grazing management strategies to achieve rangeland restoration and production goals.

Preliminary program now available

Click here to download the Preliminary Program.

Pre-conference tour Nov. 14

This year's pre-conference tour will be on Tuesday, Nov. 14 and will feature four interesting stops:

Creek Edge Farms, a modern dairy facility using robotic technology.
Marhaven Agri Inc. for a demonstration of state-of-the-art hay drying equipment.
The University of Guelph's Elora Research Station beef and dairy facilities.
Horst Welding, a farm equipment manufacturer.

The tour is from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. and includes round-trip transportation and lunch. The cost $80 plus HST.

Student poster abstracts submissions due Sept. 15

The conference organizing committee invites the submission of 300-word abstracts of student poster presentations addressing topics pertinent to the conference. Submit abstracts by e-mail to the Conference Coordinator before Sep. 15, 2017.

Posters will be judged and prizes awarded.

Click here to download the Call for Student Posters.

CFGA Leadership Award nominations due Oct. 1

The CFGA is very pleased that New Holland is once again the corporate sponsor of the prestigious CFGA Leadership Award. This award recognizes individuals, groups or organizations that exemplify or enhance 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 now being accepted and the cut-off date for submissions is Oct. 1, 2017.

The recipient will be invited to make a keynote presentation at the CFGA's 2017 Annual Conference. The presentation may include an overview of their past achievements, current endeavours and their perspective on future challenges related to forage and grasslands. Alternately, the award recipient can propose to undertake an original project that features and promotes forage and grassland (e.g., a video, an extension activity or some other communication approach).

The recipient will receive a memento and citation recognizing their achievements, and a cash award to a maximum of $6,000 to cover allowable expenses, including travel to make presentations at the 2017 CFGA Annual Conference and other meetings relevant to forage and grasslands.

Details about the CFGA Leadership Award and the 2017 nomination form are on the CFGA website.

Exhibit opportunity

Whether you are in business to provide products or services to forage producers and grassland managers, or an NGO involved in conservation or land stewardship with concern over the continued loss of our nation's grasslands, you should consider having an exhibit space at this year's conference. Exhibit spaces are limited in number and will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Be sure to reserve your space early.

Click here for the Exhibitor Information package.

Each exhibit space includes:

* One six-foot draped table and two chairs

* Your company's name and logo included on the CFGA Conference website, in the Conference Program, on signage and in a scrolling recognition slide show projected during program free times throughout the conference.

Exhibitor Option 1 (Space Only): $750 plus HST

This option is for exhibit space only, and does not include participation by exhibit attendants in conference sessions, networking breaks and luncheons.

Exhibitor Option 2 (Space and Registration): $1,150 plus HST

This option includes exhibit space and full conference registration for one exhibit attendant, which also includes participation in all sessions, networking breaks and luncheons.

To book your exhibit space, complete the booth space application form and submit it by email to the Conference Coordinator.

Sponsorship opportunities

The CFGA invites you to consider becoming a partner in this year's conference by providing some level of sponsorship. There are various levels of support ranging from $750 to $7500 and we would be pleased to work with you to find what level aligns best with your organization's business objectives and budget.

There are benefits associated with each level of support, but in all cases our partners will be recognized in conference communication and promotional materials, and through numerous social media outlets. This is an opportunity for your organization to be seen as one of the leaders of our industry.

Click here for the Sponsorship Opportunities package.

Thank you to our sponsors for their support

Early registration deadline – Sept. 29

Save $80 on your conference registration if you register by Sep. 29, 2017. Register now to join us in Guelph for Next Generation Forage Cropping Systems: Profit Above, Wealth Below. Click here to access the online registration form.

Reserve hotel accommodations

The Delta Guelph is the location of this year's conference. A block of rooms has been reserved for conference participants at the reduced rate of $135.00/night plus taxes, for single or double occupancy in rooms with one King bed, or two Queen beds, and includes complimentary wireless Internet in guest rooms.

Reservations are to be made directly with the hotel by calling 1-888-236-2427 or 519-780-3700 and indicate that you are attending the CFGA Annual Conference. Or to make your reservation online click here.

The cut-off date for reservations is Oct. 10, 2017. After that date, accommodation will be provided based on availability and at the prevailing guest room rate at the time of booking. Be sure to make your reservation early to ensure that you get accommodation at the conference rate.

Delta Guelph Hotel & Conference Centre
50 Stone Road West
Guelph, ON N1G 0A9