Seminars

2011 Western Producer Seminar Series

Credit Union EventPlex UPPER LEVEL
Mezzanine Seminar Stage
DAILY STAGE

10:00 a.m.
Crop Price Forecasts for 2011/12 by FarmLink Marketing Solutions
Presented by Brenda Tjaden Lepp, Co-Founder and Chief Analyst FarmLink’s current estimates for the most likely price outcomes for 2011/12, our ‘SmartPrices,’ will be released and reviewed for wheat, barley, oats, canola, flax, peas and lentils. Brenda Tjaden Lepp will explain how FarmLink’s four-person Analytical Team digests market information from around the world and locally, applies expert analytical tools, formulates opinions about crop price direction, and forecasts values.

11:00 a.m.
WeatherFarm: Changing how farm-management decisions are made
Presented by Alison Sass, Weather Network Specialist and Patty Rosher, Manager of Marketing & Sales and the Canadian Wheat Board WeatherFarm is a free online information centre designed exclusively for western Canadian farmers, providing highly localized, real-time weather and farm-management information. Launched in 2009 by the Canadian Wheat Board, in partnership with Earth Networks (Formerly WeatherBug). WeatherFarm is supported by the largest and most comprehensive weather station network in Western Canada, with over 800 rural weather stations across the Prairies. Since its launch in December 2009 the web site has attracted 11,000 registered users. Come and learn how WeatherFarm can change how farm management decisions are made on your farm.

12:00 p.m.
100 Bushel Winter Wheat-Realizing the Potential
Presented by Edgar Hammermeister P.Ag. and Western Ag Labs Ltd. Unseeded acres, midge/sawfly issues, spreading out the workload, are all good reasons to look at winter wheat. We’ll look at management strategies that optimize yield and income.

1:00 p.m.
Grain Market Outlook; “Where are prices heading next? Volatility = Opportunity!”
Presented by David Droizd, President & Senior Marketing Analyst, Ag-Chieve Corporation. The factors determining grain & oilseed prices are constantly changing. Gain insight into the forces driving prices now from Ag-Chieve Corporation’s Senior Grain Market Analyst, David Drozd.

2:00 p.m.
Farm Sale & Tax Planning
Presented by Ken Gareau, CLU, CFP®, Senior Investment Advisor, DWM Securities Inc. & Dean Klippenstine, CA, Meyers Norris Penny Are you selling the farm? How much do you plan to give to the Canada Revenue Agency? Meet the panel of experts on Farm Sale Strategies & learn how to keep more of “Your Money”!

3:00 p.m.
Farm Auction Presentation
Presented by Darren Clarke, Territory Manager for Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers. Are you planning on selling the farm? Meet an expert on Farm Auctions & Learn how you can get ready for & guarantee a successful farm auction.

4:00 p.m.
The Retiring Farmer
Presented by Donovan Tofin CA, CPP from Assante Financial Management Ltd. Strategies to minimize income tax on the farm sale or transfer throughout retirement years and through your estate. Focus will be on wealth planning, generating guaranteed retirement, tax efficient income and “writing the tax man out of your will”.

5:00 p.m.
Let’s Talk Business: Selling to the Government of Canada
Presented by Darlene Chuka & Jessie Hislop from the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises. The Government of Canada spends about $16 billion a year on goods and services. The Office of the Small and Medium Enterprises (OSME) helps Small and Medium companies navigate the federal government procurement system. We will introduce participants to the Government of Canada as a marketplace particularly for those in the agriculture machinery, environmental, information/communication technology, and engineering and consulting fields. OSME will provide an overview of selling to the government of Canada, from registering as a supplier to accessing bidding opportunities and identifying next steps.

Secondly, we will provide a quick overview of the Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program (CICP) launched fall 2010 and explain how this program can help companies bridge the pre-commercialization gap by submitting proposals that can secure the Government of Canada as a first customer.

Arena 1 — Best Western Arena
CONEXUS Modern Lifestyles
DAILY STAGE

10:00 a.m.
Pay Less Tax…Retirement & Succession Planning for Farmers & Ranchers
Presented by Raymond Riel CFP, CLU, RFP, CEC, Senior Advisor with Lifestyle by Design Financial Group; Jim Beale, CSA, RHU, Insurance Advisor with Lifestyle by Design Financial Group; and Dwayne Bidyk, CA, Associate with Virtus Group LLP. Building an efficient farm exit strategy and retirement plan can mean the difference between a comfortable retirement or one of risk and instability. Having a clear understanding of the process will save taxes, and empower you to make better informed decisions about this once-in-lifetime event.

11:00 a.m.
Household Solutions Revealed
Presented by Reena Nerbas, a nationally syndicated columnist and author of three best-selling “how to” books. Stop crying over onions and clean your house with mayonnaise! Learn how to reduce toxic chemicals in your life by using what we have on hand. More and more people are being “Greenwashed” into thinking that the products sold on store shelves are healthier, when in fact there are currently no government legislations as to what can be considered, non-toxic, green or environmentally friendly. It’s time to get back to basics and use the inexpensive safe products that our grandmothers used.

King vinegar has over 1,500 uses like; killing weeds and cleaning kettles. Peanut butter is great for removing scratches on CD’s and getting gum out of hair. Ketchup is fantastic for polishing brass and mayonnaise removes watermarks on wood. The products behind our cupboard doors have more uses than anyone ever dreamed of and it’s time that people knew. No longer do we need to sprint to the grocery stores to purchase strong chemicals, instead we can use what we already have on hand and make much greener, less expensive and healthier choices.

1:00 p.m.
Pay Less Tax…Family Farm Business Structures
Presented by Raymond Riel CFP, CLU, RFP, CEC, Senior Advisor with Lifestyle by Design Financial Group; Jim Beale, CSA, RHU, Insurance Advisor with Lifestyle by Design Financial Group; and Dwayne Bidyk, CA, Associate with Virtus Group LLP. Family Trusts, Corporations, Family Farm Partnerships or Proprietorships, which is the best business structure for your family farming business? The right answer can save significant amount of tax, streamline business management, and simplify retirement and succession planning. This presentation discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each structure and how to employ them to your best advantage.

2:00 p.m.
Household Solutions Gardening Secrets
Presented by Reena Nerbas, a nationally syndicated columnist and author of three best-selling “how to” books. Grab your mouthwash and weed the garden. Get rid of garden pests using products that you already have on hand. Our grandparents controlled weeds and summer annoyances using good ol’ fashioned non-toxic products and so can we. You will be amazed when you learn how easy gardening is without using store brought products. Get rid of wasps, skunks, slugs, cats, mice and many other garden critters with less expensive, environmentally friendly and non toxic solutions.

The products behind our cupboard doors have more uses than anyone ever dreamed of and it’s time that people knew. No longer do we need to sprint to the grocery stores to purchase strong chemicals, instead we can use what we already have on hand and make much greener, less expensive and healthier choices.

4:00 p.m.
Be a Chef without Going to Chef School
Presented by Reena Nerbas, a nationally syndicated columnist and author of three best-selling “how to” books. Ever wonder how restaurants make perfect pies, cakes, icing, cookies and gravy? Get ready to learn tricks for timeless classics. Cooking and baking has never been easier and soon you will be able to wow your family and friends with food that looks and tastes like they were made by professionals. The secrets are out and your life just got easier!