The annual conference offers a crucial platform for suppliers and farmers to connect face-to-face.
This year’s Thunder Bay Spring Farm Conference returns with networking, sales chances, and talks tailored for local agricultural professionals and enthusiasts.
Organized by the Thunder Bay Soil & Crop Improvement Association, the event takes place from March 24-26 at the Fort William Historical Park in Thunder Bay.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to network for those in the ag industry and those interested in learning more about the ag industry,” Jason Reid, northwestern director of the Ontario Soil & Crop Improvement Association, told Northern Ontario Business.
Reid runs a cattle and sheep farm with his wife and two daughters just outside Thunder Bay. He has been developing his farm since 2003 when he relocated to Thunder Bay, and he’s been helping organize the conference since 2004.
He joked that the conference seems like it has been happening “since the dawn of time,” although no one remembers its exact start date. He estimates that it has been an annual event in this community since at least the ’70s or ’80s.
This year, Reid anticipates around 120 attendees including farmers, agribusinesses, industry representatives, and agri-sales reps. The trade show will host about 30 exhibitors covering “anything and everything” related to agricultural sales, supplies, and resources available in Thunder Bay.
The exhibitors comprise local farms, feed companies, businesses selling milking equipment, Brownlee Equipment from Earlton, Enns Brothers John Deere, along with organizations such as the Ontario
Ministry of Agriculture, Food, & Agribusiness (OMAFA), and the Northern Ontario Farming Innovation Alliance (NOFIA).
The conference plays an important role for a community lacking significant agricultural infrastructure where items like veterinary supplies and feed are often shipped from afar. Reid noted that it efficiently connects out-of-town suppliers with customers.
“It’s the one time of year everyone comes together for face-to-face interaction. The suppliers like it because they can cover 50 farmers in two days while farmers come to them instead of them having to spend two weeks in town talking to only two farmers each day.”
This personal networking goes beyond just making sales during the event; it’s also about becoming familiar faces who can assist farmers when they need help or support according to Reid.
“Price isn’t always what farmers consider first. It matters but good customer service is critical. When we order parts we need someone on the other end who knows their stuff because we can’t go check on it ourselves. Sharing lunch across a table really helps build business,” Reid shared.
The community’s isolation means being cut off from necessary agricultural inputs and supplies results in higher costs. For instance, shipping every tonne of grain or feed grown adds roughly $50 extra on average.
“We’re eight hours away from our nearest John Deere dealer or closest feed supplier. We don’t have nearby options with three different farm suppliers,” Reid explained.
You could say these challenges have fostered a strong sense of community among locals who look out for each other according to Reid’s belief.
“There’s a huge amount of benefit,” said Reid. “It forces us to be more community-minded and supportive of each other.”
The conference begins at 7 p. m. on Tuesday March 24 featuring speaker sessions focused on beef and dairy cattle genetics as well as feeding practices.
The following day includes an update from OMAFA’s economic business advisor Christina Mol alongside a hot beef lunch plus discussions on troubleshooting forage quality as well as drying/storage techniques for grain along with rotational grazing methods involving virtual fencing or not.
A roasted chicken lunch is scheduled for Thursday alongside speaker sessions addressing nitrogen efficiency within canola/cereal production costs related specifically towards field crop farming followed by panels discussing tile drainage led by NOFIA executive director Emily Seed.”
A new addition this year is Steve Duff presenting via Zoom under “Ontario Grains & Oilseed Situation and Outlook.”
Duff will discuss how political/global events impact local market outlooks affecting supply-managed communities such as dairy farming operations specifically here regionally speaking.”
This year’s emphasis on dairy/beef highlights its significance given how cattle serves up foundational importance due largely because this area possesses ideal conditions suited towards raising cattle effectively according back into agriculture overall making things sustainable too!
“The money/stability generated primarily comes predominantly sourced through dairying efforts surpassingly so whereas beef appears secondarily growing too.” stated Mr. Reid confidently!
The focus remains firmly rooted around cropping initiatives even though predominant harvestables consist mainly involved forage crops serving directly livestock needs versus facing difficulties arising amidst grain cultivation due soil conditions/growing seasons factors influencing yield output negatively amongst ranchers concerned always looking ahead optimistically considering future possibilities emerging constantly exploring ways diversifying traditional norms thereby expanding what’s possible going forward altogether now!” exclaimed Jason excitedly!
Towards accommodating busy schedules respective individual producers/managers alike regarding morning routines several breaks strategically placed throughout agenda allowing attending participants effectively finish chores promptly before returning later evenings accordingly thereafter maintaining balance crucial aspect overall governance principles applied diligently consistently throughout proceedings taking place!” asserted confident organizer carefully tracking timing arrangements purposefully ensuring smooth sailing ahead never rushing unnecessarily whatsoever… very much appreciated all round quite frankly!!
If you’re thinking about attending entry fee stands $15 per person OR if you hold OSCIA membership becomes free access opportunity awaits eager guests alike please feel welcome join us!!! Lunch available pricing adult rate sets at $35 children only $8 each without exception standard rates apply universally across board keeping things fair naturally !!
“Everyone’s welcome everybody engaged deeply rooted interests connecting local agriculture circle folks loving share experiences insights expressed openly hence creating stronger bonds all around enhancing relationships thriving positively within our beloved community here happily!” concluded Jason warmly smiling broadly appreciating support shown continuously enjoyed thoroughly so far extending invitations kindly awaiting responses eagerly anticipating seeing many new faces arriving soon enough next week !”
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