Now in its 14th year the FarmSmart Agricultural Conference is brought to you by the Golden Horseshoe and Heartland Regional Soil & Crop Improvement Associations in partnership with the Ontario Agricultural College, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and various agri-business partners. Participants select and custom design their own unique program from the over fifty concurrent sessions in a wide range of topics. Designed to offer something for everyone involved in the farming operation, participants can chose sessions on crop production, livestock production, soil and environmental management, business, marketing, and many other general interest topics. Our speakers are enthusiastic to share their expertise on present and emerging technologies and innovations in agriculture and last year’s event attracted over 900 people to the conference.

Last year Beef Symposium joined FarmSmart and we are very excited about the extra value we will be able to provide to all participants through the additional programming and the sharing of resources. Information on the Beef Symposium sessions are included in our detailed program agenda.

Participants have the opportunity to sit down for a hot lunch or they can order a box lunch that allows them to attend sessions in every time slot of the day.

FarmSmart is designed as a family-friendly opportunity and we encourage you to bring the family to FarmSmart. Parents and coworkers can split the program to get the most out of the day and the kids can participate in the interactive Youth program. In addition we now post most of the session presentations here on our website following the conference so that if you miss a session you can still access the information and contact the speaker if further information is needed.

For those attendees in the Certified Crop Advisors (CCA) program there are opportunities to earn Continuing Eduacation Unit (CEU) credits.

Speakers

	GUIDO HOENER Keynote speaker Editor, Top Agrar magazine, Germany A graduate from the University of Bonn with an agriculture sciences engineering degree, Guido has been the editor of Top Agrar, Germany’s leading monthly farm magazine since 1995. The magazine enjoys a circulation of 112,000 copies and will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2012.
	LEE (LELAND) LEACHMAN Keynote speaker Leachman Cattle of Colorado Lee formed Leachman Cattle of Colorado, a seedstock marketing company respected worldwide as a leader in objective selection criteria and composite cattle production. Last year he launched a new contract breeding initiative and he oversees the company’s research and development efforts in the areas of genetic analysis and selection indices. He also hosts web-based seminars, titled ‘No Better Bull’, which explore strategies to improve ranching profitability. The company has also pioneered work on multi-trait profit indices that include factors for cow size and fertility in addition to the standard growth and carcass traits.
	ANITA STEWART Culinary columnist, CBC Fresh Air, Radio One Anita is the author of 14 books that promote Canadian foods. She created the annual Canadian Beef Barbeque and founded Cuisine Canada, a food-promoting network that links people across the food industry.
	TIM BORING Michigan State University Tim comes from a diversified crop and vegetable farm in central Michigan. He is currently working on his PhD and doing research and extension for MSU where he specializes in cropping systems.
	KEN FERRIE Crop-Tech Consulting, Illinois As an independent consultant in Illinois, Ken directly oversees 100,000 acres through farm clients. As Field Agronomist for Farm Journal magazine, he puts in almost 150 test plots each year.
	SHAWN HILL PEI Watershed Alliance Inc., Prince Edward Island Currently the Program Director for the PEI Watershed Alliance, Shawn supports community based watershed groups across PEI and has been instrumental in developing incentive programs that reward farmers.
	VIRGIL ROBINSON Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Iowa An outstanding fundamental and technical analyst, Virgil has worked as a grain merchandiser, commodity broker, consultant and independent trader for more than 35 years.