The upcoming Ranching Opportunities Conference at Olds College will explore prospects and challenges facing the cattle industry, and give participants a chance to discuss ways to improve communicate with the public at large, says co-organizer Grant Lastiwka.
The annual conference takes place on Feb. 8 and is expected to attract producers and other stakeholders from across the province.
"We are trying to make sure the industry continues to strengthen itself and understand its opportunities and the latest information available," said Lastiwka, who is a forages, grazing, beef extension specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry in Olds.
"We want to understand the tools that we have available in our industry so we at least can be the best informed and can be interpreters to a consumer and can be wise enough to make adjustments on our own.
"It's important to be able to have knowledge to share with consumers, so they gain understanding too. We are all still learning about animal behaviour and the newest equipment."
The 2018 conference is co-sponsored by Mountain View, Kneehill and Rocky View counties, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Foothills Forage and Grazing Association and other partners.
Talks scheduled include addresses by Canadian Centre for Food Integrity's Crystal Mackay, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry's Barry Yaremcio, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Karen Schwartzkopf-Genswein and Dr. Gabriel Ribeiro.
"Barry Yaremcio, for example, has worked across Canada so we draw on the best people we can," he said.
Airdrie-area Harmony Beef Plant's Cam Daniels will be speaking on processing facility technology.
"They are a group that is looking to market into a different segment of the industry, which is exciting," he said. "It strengthens our means of exporting because now we are looking at another channel."
The producer panel will focus on consumer verification programs including the Canadian Round Table for Sustainable Beef.
There will also be a trade fair at this year's conference.
"In so many ways we are bringing together the industry again this year," he said. "This is all part of the support system."
The Ranching Opportunities Conference is an annual event at Olds College.
"We are trying to make sure the industry continues to strengthen itself and understand its opportunities and the latest information available."
