English / French
The full conference program is now available online! Click here to download the pdf and explore the conference lineup, speaker bios and presentation summaries below.
Agenda:
Monday, April 24, 2017
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Opening Reception
Guest Speaker
Hon. Ralph Eichler
– Minister of Agriculture, Government of Manitoba
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
8:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Conference Opening
Theme 1
Transforming Challenges into Opportunities:
How can innovation minimize agriculture’s contribution to climate change?
Discovery Talks: Climate Change and Air Quality
Dr. Steven Frey
– Senior Scientist, Aquanty Inc. & Lead Scientist, Assiniboine River Basin Research Project
“Evaluating the role of forages and grasslands on flood and drought resiliency with advanced simulation technology”
Dr. Brian McConkey
– Research Scientist, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada – Swift Current Research and Development Centre
“Carbon sequestration in Prairie soils and their potential for climate change mitigation”
“Innovation is driving climate change mitigation in Canada’s beef sector”
Panels & Forum: Climate Change and the Agricultural Sector
Dr. Mario Tenuta
– Professor, Applied Soil Ecology, University of Manitoba
“Research Innovation and Opportunity”
“Precision infrastructure for climate change mitigation and adaptation on the agricultural landscape and prospects for large-scale investment: a Manitoba case study” John Wilkinson – Senior Vice President, Sustainability, GreenField Specialty Alcohols Inc.
“Capitalizing on the carbon cycle in the 21st century”
1:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Theme 2
Building the Future on our Strengths:
What support is available to advance Canada’s agricultural clean technologies?
Discovery Talks: Agricultural Biotechnology and Genomics
Ian Affleck
, Executive Director – Plant Biotechnology, CropLife Canada
“Plant breeding innovations: Supporting sustainable agriculture”
“Genomics: Changing what we know today and how we will live tomorrow” Dr. Donald Smith , Scientific Director and CEO, BioFuelNet Canada, McGill University
“Development of environmentally friendly inputs for the agricultural industry, in biofuels, feedstock and food crops”
Panels & Forum: Opportunities for Clean Technology Innovation in the Agricultural Sector
Dr. Naveed Aziz
– Director, Technology Programs, Genome Canada
“Towards Environmental Sustainability – The role of Genomic technologies in building a low-carbon, climate-resilient Ag-sector bioeconomy”
“Commercializing Agri-technology: Bringing innovation to market” Dr. Abdul Jalil – Assistant Deputy Minister, Western Economic Diversification
“Agriculture Innovation in a Changing Setting: A Government Perspective”
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
8:15 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Canadian Roundtable on Sustainable Crops: Carbon Life Cycle Assessments of Major Field Crops
Guest Speaker
Dr. Karen Churchill
– Director of Research & Market Support, Cereals Canada
Shaping a Path Forward:
How can we ensure the adoption of environmentally sustainable innovations?
Discovery Talks: Agro-Ecosystem Productivity and Health
Dr. Dilantha Fernando
– Professor, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Manitoba
“Innovative Environmentally Friendly Methods to Manage Diseases of Field Crops”
“Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives: A Partnership to Inform and Support Adoption At The Farm” Alison Sunstrum – Co-CEO, GrowSafe Systems
“The Last Mile – Commercializing Disruptive Ideas”
Panels & Forum: Cross-Sectoral Dialogue on the Adoption of Environmentally Sustainable Innovations
Sean Goertzen
– Climate Initiative Coordinator, Keystone Agricultural Producers
“Farmers’ Perspective on Carbon Taxes and Climate Change”
“Agricultural Practices to Improve Input and Resource Use Efficiency in Cropping Systems” Jolene Noble – Extension Coordinator, Alberta Farm Sustainability Extension Working Group (AFSE)
“Sustainability in Agriculture: The Big Picture” David Wiens – Vice-President, Dairy Farmers of Canada and Chair, Dairy Farmers of Manitoba
“Assurance and innovation: Building blocks to a sustainable dairy industry”
An on-site Virtual Tradeshow will be ongoing throughout the Conference. If you would like to become a virtual exhibitor sign up here.