SFSDC 17th Annual General Meeting & Forage Seed Production Forum December 12 & 13, 2022
THANK YOU to those in the forage seed grower community, including growers, industry agronomists and researchers, the AV team from graffitiTV, local businesses and event organizing volunteers for making our 2-day event a success.
With grower support, in-person and online, we met the requirements for a quorum at the Annual General Meeting.
The forage seed production sessions were well attended by growers and industry agronomists. Industry leaders in applied research and producer panels shared their knowledge of conventional and organic forage seed production systems.
We were treated to excellent quality food catered by The Spot restaurant, featuring farmer’s breakfast, sandwiches and wraps, and a prime rib supper.
Presentations were made on market prospects and we listened to a farmer health, safety and wellness message by a keynote speaker from The Do More Ag Foundation.
Our day ended with a STARS Foundation fundraiser. The live auction bidding by Bruce Schapansky Auctioneers Inc. raised $7,125.
The clover workshop held the next day at Carrot River Curling Club drew a large crowd of local clover growers who learned the latest news about red, alsike, and sweet clover production.
All growers who contributed to the SFSDC check-off will soon have access to the recorded videos of the Seed Production and Marketing Information Sessions. Guests who attended December 12 (Nipawin) or December 13 (Carrot River) will also be able to access the information. Please contact the office if you wish to receive a link to the videos.
Our 17th AGM coincided with a forage seed production forum, structured in four topic areas:
Session I 09:00 Seeding and Establishment
Annual General Meeting call to order at 11:00. Remote connection (Zoom) available. Please register at saskcrops.com or contact SFSDC Office
Session II 11:45 Market prospects and industry growth potential
Session III 1:00 In-crop management practices
Session IV 2:30 Pre-harvest and combining
All four sessions could be used for professional development (CPD) credits with the Sask Institute of Agrologists, and CEU credits for certified crop advisors.
LEARN about forage seed production and industry growth potential
Our feature speakers, Calvin Yoder and Nicole Anderson, will lead the production information presentations after the breakfast meal. These two forage seed production specialists are familiar to many in the forage seed industry. They have frequently presented at grower meetings on the Prairies. Calvin, a forage seed production specialist, works for SARDA and the Peace Region Forage Seed Commission https://sarda.ca/calvin-yoder-2/ He helps the Saskatchewan Forage Seed Commission design and analyze our herbicide and plant growth regulator trials, combines data from Saskatchewan with the Peace Region for user-requested minor use label expansion (URMULE). Nicole is from Oregon State University and is an applied research specialist with industry-leading knowledge in plant growth regulators and clover fertility. She has many years of experience talking with farmers and providing extension outreach in the grass and legume seed crops. https://agsci.oregonstate.edu/users/nicole-anderson
Following the knowledge updates and presentations, growers will take center stage to share their Production Experiences. The challenges and rewards of forage seed production in organic and conventional production will be represented. This is a grower forum and discussions are strongly encouraged. A forage seed buyer will present the Market Outlook for the next crop year. We highlight and discuss a report done by International Marketing Specialists, Trade & Value-Added, Government of Saskatchewan. This Market Development activity will help identify demand-pull to grow our forage seed export markets.
LIFE-SAVING RESOURCES know how to recognize farm stress and threat to farm safety.
After the Prime Rib Supper, we switch from knowledge sharing to a focus on the social and health and farm safety aspects of our forage seed community. The last two years and the pandemic, social isolation, drought, and flooding have been challenging for forage seed growers and their families. The Do More Ag Foundation guest speaker will share information relevant to the farming community's mental health and discuss accessing help and resources https://www.domore.ag/.
SUPPORT your rural community’s access to medical support. We end our day with a live auction fundraiser for STARS air ambulance - a vital lifeline for forage seed growers and their families. Donations for the fundraiser are greatly appreciated. Please reach out to the SFSDC office if you are interested. Items will be posted on the auctioneer’s website, and telephone bids will be accepted during the auction. https://www.schapansky.com/