UofG – MCCC 2021

Agenda at a Glance

Keynote Event

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021

MCCC 2021 Annual Meeting

10:00 am

— 4:00 pm (EST)

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The annual business meeting will be held on Tues February 23 at 9-3 C /10-4 E and will include State, Province, and Partner reports.

10-10:15E / 9-9:15C – Welcome and MCCC Update

10:15-11:15E / 9:15-10:15C – State/Province Reports (15min each(4))

11:15-11:25E / 10:15-10:25C – 10min Break

11:25-12:25E / 10:25-11:25C – State/Province Updates (15min each(4))

12:25-1:30E / 11:25-12:30C – Lunch

1:30-2:45E / 12:30-1:45C – State Updates (15min each(5))

2:45-3:00E / 1:45-2:00C – 15min Break

3:00-4:00E / 2:00-3:00C – Partner Reports

Finding Common Ground On Cover Crops

Do More Ag Keynote Panel Discussion

7:00 pm

— 8:30 pm (EST)

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Session Description

There’s a range of perspectives on where cover crops fit into farming systems, and at times the conversation has become polarizing. In the process of encouraging cover crop adoption, we need to pay similar attention to how we’re cultivating relationships within the ag community. This panel brings together farmers representing that range of perspectives – from cover crop innovators to curious observers – to dialogue on where we can find common ground. We encourage registrants and sponsors to make a donation to the Do More Ag Foundation in support of farmer mental health; include MCCC21 in the Notes section on the donation page.

Wednesday, February 24th, 2021

How Cover Crops Saved The Farm

9:30 am

— 10:30 am (EST)

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Session Description

Cover crops offer many benefits. Join these panelists as they discuss the cover crop impacts they have found on and off the farm.

Steve Berger, Farmer, Wellman, Iowa
Ryan Barrett, Prince Edward Island Potato Board
Tatiana Lozier, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, Ontario
Hosted by Jessica Van Zwol, St. Clair Region Conservation Authority

Cover Crops And Cash Flow

10:45 am

— 11:45 am (EST)

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Session Description

Show me the money! This session explores the financial aspect of cover crops and how they can affect your bottom line.

Jack Cornell, Soil Health Partnership
Aaron Breimer, Veritas, Ontario
Mark Richards, Richards Rolling Acres, Dresden, Ontario
Hosted by Jacqui Empson Laporte, IFAO

Knowing What We Don’t Know About Soil Biology

12:00 pm

— 1:00 pm (EST)

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Session Description

Microbes, toxic slugs, organic matter and more! What are you curious about in soil biology? Three of the world’s leading soil biologists share the latest science on soil management and biological functions.

Dr. Kari Dunfield, University of Guelph
Dr. John Tooker, Pennsylvania State University
Dr. Stuart Grandy, University of New Hampshire
Hosted by Cameron Ogilvie, SOILS AT GUELPH

[Zoom Meeting] Cover Crop Coffee Break: Weeds, Herbicides and Cover Crops

3:00 pm

— 4:00 pm (EST)

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Session Description

Join this panel of experts for a group discussion on all things cover crops, weeds, and herbicides. With Dr. Darren Robinson, Dr. Christy Sprague, Dr. John Wallace, and Dr. Lee Briese. Hosted by Dr. Kris McNaughton, University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus

When More Isn’t Better: Balancing Efficiency And Resilience In Agriculture

[FREE] OAC ’59 Future Thinkers Keynote Conversation

7:00 pm

— 9:00 pm (EST)

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Session Description

In his new book, WHEN MORE IS NOT BETTER: Overcoming America’s Obsession With Economic Efficiency, Roger L. Martin – former Dean of the Rotman School of Management and the world’s #1 management thinker (Thinkers50) – argues that the obsessive pursuit of economic efficiency is driving inequality and making our economy more fragile. We must stop viewing our economy as a perfectible machine and instead understand it as a natural system – one that is complex, adaptive, and systemic and which requires a fundamental balance of efficiency with resilience. In this Keynote Conversation, Roger will lay out the design principles for achieving this balance in the agri-food sector, which will be further unpacked by a panel of agri-food industry leaders.

Thursday, February 25th, 2021

Cover Crops In Grain Cropping Systems

9:30 am

— 10:30 am (EST)

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Session Description

Where is the fit for cover crops in grain and oilseed production? Join Dave and Rodney while they dig deeper into how cover crops can pay their way with corn, soybeans, and wheat.

Rodney Rulon, Rulon Enterprises LLC, Indiana
Dr. Dave Hooker, University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus
Hosted by Angie Straathof, OSCIA

Cover Crops In Vegetable Production Systems

10:45 am

— 11:45 am (EST)

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Session Description

Cover crops have a long tradition of use with vegetable production. This session explores new ways to use them and ways to tweak the system to get the most benefit from cover crops.

Dr. Julie Grossman, University of Minnesota
Reid Allaway, Tourne-Sol Co-Operative Farm, Quebec
Hosted by Katie Bakie, EFAO

Cover Crops And Livestock

12:00 pm

— 1:00 pm (EST)

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Session Description

Cover crops and livestock are a dynamic duo. Explore the synergies these producers and researchers have found and why they are committed to cover crops in livestock production.

Marie Shea, Shealand Farms, Bethany, Ontario
Dr. Melissa Wilson, University of Minnesota
Dan Breen, Breen Family Acres, Putnam, Ontario
Hosted by Anne Loeffler, Grand River Conservation Authority

[Zoom Meeting] Cover Crop Coffee Break: Cover Crop Management

3:00 pm

— 4:00 pm (EST)

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Session Description

From species selection to planting green, join this group discussion on all things related to cover crop management. With Dr. Barry Fisher, Dr. Dave Hooker, Dr. Dean Baas, Lawrence Levesque, and Dr. Laura Van Eerd. Hosted by Jake Munroe, OMAFRA