8th Annual Canadian Forage and Grassland Association Conference

The Canadian Forage and Grassland Association is pleased to be hosting with the Ontario Forage Council its 8th annual conference in Guelph, Nov. 14 to 16. This year's conference theme is Next Generation Forage Cropping System: Profit Above, Wealth Below in recognition of the important role forage and grasslands play in providing both economic and environmental benefits to Canadians from coast to coast.

Profit Above

With a direct economic value of $5.09 billion and over 70 million acres in production, forage is the largest land use sector in Canadian agriculture and is the backbone of Canada's ruminant industry. In 2012, exports of forages and forage seeds accounted for 4% of the industry’s value.

Wealth Below

Perennial forage crops help reduce carbon because their root systems can store up to 2.7 times more carbon than annual crops. They sequester carbon deeper in the ground and, because less tilling is done on forage and grassland fields, slow the breakdown and release of carbon into the atmosphere. Studies indicate their environmental impact doubles the monetary value of $5.09 billion.

Anyone with a stake in the Canadian forage industry won’t want to miss this exciting event to learn about new forage practices, network with colleagues, discover new research on forage and grasslands and improve environmental practices.

Watch the conference website for regular updates on speakers and other special events or, better still, sign up to receive CFGA updates.