Next week is Rainy River District Agriculture Days

Gary Sliworsky
Ag. Rep.

Spring is now officially here and the winter season of courses and meetings is winding down. The last ‘big’ event before everyone becomes tied up in spring activities is only days away - Rainy River Ag Days. This year it will be taking place at the Barwick Hall on Wednesday, April 7 and Thursday, April 8.
Rainy River Ag Days is a two day event that organized by local agriculture organizations. There was no event last year but it is back again. This year will feature Trade Show exhibits and presentations from speakers on a variety of topics related to agriculture. There will be no Seed Fair this year.
Registration is $10.00 per day with lunch provided both days. Lunch will be sponsored by Kaemingh Fuels Ltd. and Marmus Shell. Tied in with Ag Days, the Rainy River Federation of Agriculture will be holding their Spring Dinner on the evening of April 7. Tickets for this are $15.00 each and are available from Federation members.
On April 7 the doors open at 8:30 a.m. for those wishing to set up trade show exhibits. Trade Show exhibit fee is only $25.00.
April 7 presentations start at 9:30 a.m., with yours truly talking about the Nutrient Management Act. Following that will be Clarence Haak, speaking the local Soil & Crop Improvement Association project regarding nutrient levels and wintering feeding areas.
Brian Lang, Dairy Tech Transfer and Planning Specialist with OMAF will speak on cull cow options and the CAIS program as it relates to supply managed operations.
After lunch Clarence Haak will give an update on Soil & Crop activities. He will be followed by Bob Bedggood from CFFO who will give a presentation on changes in agriculture regulations. The final speaker on Wednesday will be Michel Champagne from Farm Credit Corporation (FCC), who will be talking about FCC and some of their new products.
At the dinner Wednesday evening, Debra Pretty-Straatoff, OFA Executive Director, will be speaking and comedian Denis Grignon will bring us some amusement.
April 8 presentations begin at 9:30 a.m. with veterinarian Dr. Wayne Etherington from Norwest Animal Clinic. He will provide some information on dairy health and reproduction issues. Following Dr. Wayne, Riverside Community Counseling Services have a presentation on stress and stress and depression, identifying the signs and managing them.
Following lunch will be Cloutier AgriSeeds, who will talk about soybean production and marketing. The afternoon will wrap up with Geoff Gillon from Rainy River Future Development giving an update on rural projects in the area and then Jim Bremner form Cooperators Insurance providing some insurance information and tips and taking questions.
Everyone is invited to attend. Hope you’ll join us.

Dates to remember

· Apr. 1 - Emo Agriculture Research Station opens for 2004 season
· Apr. 7, 8 - Rainy River Ag Days, Barwick Community Hall
· Apr. 7 - RRFA Spring Dinner, Barwick Community Hall. Social hour 6:00 p.m., Supper 7:00 p.m.