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Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
FarmTech Banquet
What a way to close out day 2 of FarmTech!
Catriona Le May Doan was simply amazing. First of all, it has been a long time since I have seen a speaker get a standing ovation BEFORE they even say a word. She then proceed to take everyone down the trail of her career in speedskating and life. Looking around there were a lot of people that were on the verge of tears and a few that even let some go. Her talk on challenges, expectations and succsess was easily one of the best I have ever seen. Up until tonight I have always said that George Chuvalo and Lanny Macdonald were the two best speakers I have ever experienced, not anymore. Also getting a chance to meet Catriona and see all of her medals were pretty special moments.
Well done FarmTech organizing committee!
Catriona Le May Doan was simply amazing. First of all, it has been a long time since I have seen a speaker get a standing ovation BEFORE they even say a word. She then proceed to take everyone down the trail of her career in speedskating and life. Looking around there were a lot of people that were on the verge of tears and a few that even let some go. Her talk on challenges, expectations and succsess was easily one of the best I have ever seen. Up until tonight I have always said that George Chuvalo and Lanny Macdonald were the two best speakers I have ever experienced, not anymore. Also getting a chance to meet Catriona and see all of her medals were pretty special moments.
Well done FarmTech organizing committee!
Farm Tech Day 2
We are now halfway through day 2 of FarmTech 2011 and here is what we have learned so far:
- Drew Lerner had some excellent comments in regards to the weather. Says don't look at it on so much of a year to year basis but look at the weather in 10 to 25 year cycles. It seems like we are in a cooling cycle right now. Also of note it was interesting to hear his take on "global warming" or "climate change" and how it may not be as bad as some scientists and media outlets are making it
- Merle Good taught us that there is an infinite number of ways to do succession planning. The key to whatever way you choose is communication.
- Shaun Haney gave a great talk about Social Media and its uses. It was neat to see a lot of the older farmers in the crowd.
- The Bayer CropScience Hall of Fame Party was a great time.
- Had an excellent chat with Earl Greenough with AgroTain International. He has some interesting results for what AgroTain can do for you.
- We are really looking forward to hearing from Catrina Le May Doan tonight at the Monsanto Banquet.
Time to get ready to go to more sessions!
- Drew Lerner had some excellent comments in regards to the weather. Says don't look at it on so much of a year to year basis but look at the weather in 10 to 25 year cycles. It seems like we are in a cooling cycle right now. Also of note it was interesting to hear his take on "global warming" or "climate change" and how it may not be as bad as some scientists and media outlets are making it
- Merle Good taught us that there is an infinite number of ways to do succession planning. The key to whatever way you choose is communication.
- Shaun Haney gave a great talk about Social Media and its uses. It was neat to see a lot of the older farmers in the crowd.
- The Bayer CropScience Hall of Fame Party was a great time.
- Had an excellent chat with Earl Greenough with AgroTain International. He has some interesting results for what AgroTain can do for you.
- We are really looking forward to hearing from Catrina Le May Doan tonight at the Monsanto Banquet.
Time to get ready to go to more sessions!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
FarmTech Adventures
Well we made it! We are at the last major conference of the winter (for us anyway) and the turnout is outstanding as usual. Having been sold out for a couple of weeks now, it always impresses me how the FarmTech group can sell that many tickets so fast (about 1250 people are here). This week has no shortage of things to do or people to see. Mike and are going to try to find the time to add in some key messages from each of the speakers we listen to.
I was impressed with the turnout and participation in the first ever FarmTech Jam session last night at the hotel. Kent Ericsson tried his hardest to get people up singing but there were no takers, he does do a pretty good Johnny Cash though! Also of note was the instrumental ability of Earl Greenough and Murray Hartman, Great Job guys!
The trip to FarmTech was not without its share of challenges. Mike and I are going to call it "Chris and Mike's Awesome Adventure" Everything was good up until we get to the west side of Edmonton, that is where things really turned against us. First thing that happened was because of all the construction on the Anthony Henday we missed our turn onto 100 Ave (I don't think there was even a sign) and by the time we realized it we were pretty much in St. Albert. So we turn off on a side road and try to turn around. Well this did not work out so well because the Toyota is less than spectacular in slightly less than perfect conditions (meaning it can get stuck on wet grass). So once we get pushed out by a few of the locals we are on our way to the hotel. Once we get to the hotel, Mike decides it was a great idea to lock the keys inside the truck. Then when we go to check into the hotel, my name was not in the registry. My heart sank but luckily we found out it was just under the wrong name. The nice people at the Mayfield somehow thought that was their fault and gave us a Jacuzzi suite, so in the end it all worked out!
I am impressed to see how many people are up here from southern Alberta.
Stay tuned.....
I was impressed with the turnout and participation in the first ever FarmTech Jam session last night at the hotel. Kent Ericsson tried his hardest to get people up singing but there were no takers, he does do a pretty good Johnny Cash though! Also of note was the instrumental ability of Earl Greenough and Murray Hartman, Great Job guys!
The trip to FarmTech was not without its share of challenges. Mike and I are going to call it "Chris and Mike's Awesome Adventure" Everything was good up until we get to the west side of Edmonton, that is where things really turned against us. First thing that happened was because of all the construction on the Anthony Henday we missed our turn onto 100 Ave (I don't think there was even a sign) and by the time we realized it we were pretty much in St. Albert. So we turn off on a side road and try to turn around. Well this did not work out so well because the Toyota is less than spectacular in slightly less than perfect conditions (meaning it can get stuck on wet grass). So once we get pushed out by a few of the locals we are on our way to the hotel. Once we get to the hotel, Mike decides it was a great idea to lock the keys inside the truck. Then when we go to check into the hotel, my name was not in the registry. My heart sank but luckily we found out it was just under the wrong name. The nice people at the Mayfield somehow thought that was their fault and gave us a Jacuzzi suite, so in the end it all worked out!
I am impressed to see how many people are up here from southern Alberta.
Stay tuned.....
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Agronomy update
We are taking in agronomy update in lethbridge. This morning we are getting a review on insect and disease levels from 2010 and forecasts on what 2011 might bring us.
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Thursday, January 13, 2011
Crop production show
Ken and I are here for crop production show. We are taking in the Saskatchewan soul conservation meeting today which features quite a few familiar speakers to Alberta.
A few thoughts on our trip so far:
- it sure was nice to fly into saskatoon as opposed to driving.
- had no idea until we got here the differences between the crop production show and crop production week.
- is Shaun Haney everywhere?
- Saskatchewan producer groups face the same challenges that we do. Lack of sustainable funding and decreasing producer involvement.
- controlled traffic has to be one of the biggest buzz words of 2010. I have yet to see anything that makes me want to run out and adopt it. There are a lot of very bold estimates put there in terms of the benefits. At the end of the day we need a lot more research done on it before we are running out to adopt it.
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A few thoughts on our trip so far:
- it sure was nice to fly into saskatoon as opposed to driving.
- had no idea until we got here the differences between the crop production show and crop production week.
- is Shaun Haney everywhere?
- Saskatchewan producer groups face the same challenges that we do. Lack of sustainable funding and decreasing producer involvement.
- controlled traffic has to be one of the biggest buzz words of 2010. I have yet to see anything that makes me want to run out and adopt it. There are a lot of very bold estimates put there in terms of the benefits. At the end of the day we need a lot more research done on it before we are running out to adopt it.
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Back to Work
Well it is that time again...back to work after the holidays.
It was sure nice to be able to turn the brain off over the christmas holidays and spend time with family and friends. The problem I have with christmas holidays, is that everything you would normally do gets tossed out the window (eat a little more, drink a little more, stay up a little later and so on....) It is nice to get life back to normal.
It was also nice to be able to watch the world junior hockey games (how about that game last night where the Americans got their butts kicked!!).
A few things to look for over the next month or so:
Crop Production Show (next week) in Saskatoon. Ken and I will be there Wed-Fri with Ken speaking at the Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association annual Meeting on thursday.
Agronomy Update - January 18-19 at the Lethbridge Lodge (space is filling up fast, so register early!) more details can be found on our website http://www.farmingsmarter.com/
FarmTech - January 26-28 in Edmonton is always a great show to go to.
February 23 - SACA AGM in Taber.
I will try to keep updating the blog and website a little more once I get my brain turned on and back up to speed.
Hope you had a great Christmas and New Years!
It was sure nice to be able to turn the brain off over the christmas holidays and spend time with family and friends. The problem I have with christmas holidays, is that everything you would normally do gets tossed out the window (eat a little more, drink a little more, stay up a little later and so on....) It is nice to get life back to normal.
It was also nice to be able to watch the world junior hockey games (how about that game last night where the Americans got their butts kicked!!).
A few things to look for over the next month or so:
Crop Production Show (next week) in Saskatoon. Ken and I will be there Wed-Fri with Ken speaking at the Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association annual Meeting on thursday.
Agronomy Update - January 18-19 at the Lethbridge Lodge (space is filling up fast, so register early!) more details can be found on our website http://www.farmingsmarter.com/
FarmTech - January 26-28 in Edmonton is always a great show to go to.
February 23 - SACA AGM in Taber.
I will try to keep updating the blog and website a little more once I get my brain turned on and back up to speed.
Hope you had a great Christmas and New Years!
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