FarmSmart Expo is always an excellent opportunity for producers and agronomists to meet up after a busy spring season and discuss the successes and challenges of the past weeks, organizers state.
Getting a chance to see field demonstrations of emerging issues and technologies with some of the best and brightest in Ontario’s crop agronomy units at this year’s event should not disappoint.
Held on July 11 and offered as one of a series of three crop diagnostic days held across the province, FarmSmart Expo brings together the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) and Ministry of Rural Affairs (MRA) and the University of Guelph crop agronomy teams.
At these diagnostic days the crop unit teams plan the sessions to challenge current thinking, train farmers to identify and solve problems and raise awareness of new technologies available in the agriculture industry.
This year’s FarmSmart Expo diagnostic demonstrations include:
– agronomy highlights of precision technology equipment for corn planters including air bags, closing wheels, depth control, etc.;
– the interaction of soybean seeding population, tillage and fertilizer;
– liquid manure application to establishing forages and other crops with shallow incorporation technology;
– Bee corn smart: Best management practices to lower the probability of bee mortality;
– cover crops and tillage influence on corn fertility management the next year;
– the interaction of wheat planting dates and residual fertility;
– weed management options in corn;
– weed management options in soybeans.
Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) Continuing Education Credits have been applied for.
New this year the FarmSmart Expo Youth program – usually held as an independent day on the Friday following – will be offered concurrently on the Thursday, providing convenience for the families whose youth would be participating, yet offering tailor-made programs to suit the needs and interests of all participants.
Designed for ages 11 and up, the youth program is an excellent opportunity for a club meeting, a makeup session or a club/county field trip. Non-4-H members welcome.
FarmSmart Expo will be held at the University of Guelph Elora Research Station, 6182 2nd Line, Elora (south of Elora, one block west of County Road 7).
For more information and program updates visit www.ghscia.com/FarmSmart-”Expo- 2013 or follow on Twitter at @FarmSmart1. Official hashtag: #FSExpo13
The FarmSmart organization started in 1998 as a conference only event geared to help educate farmers on new topics that might assist them to develop their farming operations.
For more information contact Ian McDonald at 519-239-3473 or ian.mcdonald@ontaria.ca.
