Sustainability of Canadian Agriculture 2023 Virtual Conference
Sustainable food production systems: Exploring new and traditional knowledge
MARCH 7-9, 2023
Co-hosted by the University of Manitoba's National Centre for Livestock and the Environment and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

About
Photo credit: DUC
This 3-day virtual conference brings together researchers, students, producers, government, commodity organizations and industry representatives with a range of perspectives to collectively share ideas and experiences about how to improve agricultural sustainability in Canada. Sessions will feature brief presentations followed by facilitated panel discussions exploring the path to achieving net zero emissions on farms, addressing the role of Indigenous agriculture in our food systems and examining the importance of preserving and enhancing biodiversity on the prairies and beyond. This year's conference will provide an update on Canada's Living Lab Projects and the opportunity for attendees to join two live question and answer sessions with researchers and industry experts. In addition, the conference will include a hands-on interactive morning workshop on the Holos model designed to estimate on farm greenhouse gas emissions, as well as a research update featuring graduate students who will share their findings through short videos.
The conference has been approved for eight (8) Certified Crop Advisor Continuing Education Units (CCA CEUs). See each session for the CEUs available.
Conference Planning Committee
University of Manitoba: | Kim Ominski, Emma McGeough, Doug Cattani, Marcos Cordeiro, Mario Tenuta, David Lobb, Peter Frohlich |
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada: | Roland Kroebel, Emily McAuley, Sarah Pogue, Aaron McPherson |
Ducks Unlimited Canada: | Kristine Tapley |
Industry/Farm Production: | Melissa Atchison |
Conference Hosts
Schedule at a Glance
Day | Theme |
---|---|
March 7 | Keynote Speakers: Are net zero emissions achievable? Crop Management CEUs: 1 Achieving net zero emissions Nutrient Management CEUs: 0.5 Soil & Water Management CEUs: 0.5 |
March 8 | HOLOS Model Workshop Nutrient Management CEUs: 2 Crop Management CEUs: 0.5 Role of Indigenous Agriculture in Our Food Systems Crop Management CEUs: 0.5 Professional Development CEUs: 1 |
March 9 | Living Labs Crop Management CEUs: 1 Is Biodiversity the new Carbon? Nutrient Management CEUs: 0.5 Crop Management CEUs: 0.5 |
Day 1 - Tuesday March 7
Keynote
1:00-1:10 pm (CST) |
Welcoming Remarks |
1:10-2:15 pm (CST) |
Keynote: Are net zero emissions achievable? In response to growing threat of damaging climate change, Canada has adopted a target of reaching 'net zero' by 2050, a challenge that affects all facets of society including agriculture. This reflective presentation will pose several questions: What exactly is 'net-zero' farming? Is it even achievable in Canada? What will be the impact of future system shocks like climate change or pandemics? What would it look like, and what changes might be needed to make meaningful progress toward this target? These questions will be addressed from perspectives of land and of livestock. Food is one of the necessities of life and can not be forgone in an effort to meet net-zero targets. If net zero by 2050 is to be achieved, it will require advancements and adaptation by the global agricultural community and society as a whole. |
Achieving net zero emissions
2:15-3:15 pm (CST) |
Moderator: Mario Tenuta
Nutrient Management CEUs: 0.5 Soil & Water Management CEUs: 0.5 |
|
3:15-4:00 pm (CST) |
Panel discussion |
|
4:00 pm (CST) |
Adjourn |
Day 2 - Wednesday March 8
Role of Indigenous Agriculture in Our Food Systems
9:00-12:00 am (CST) |
HOLOS model workshop |
|
12:00-1:00 pm (CST) |
Lunch | |
1:00-1:45 pm (CST) |
Graduate Student Research Video Competition | |
1:45-2:45 pm (CST) |
Moderator: Emily McAuley
Crop Management CEUs: 0.5 |
|
2:45-3:00 pm (CST) |
Break | |
3:00-3:45 pm (CST) |
Panel Discussion |
|
3:45-4:30 pm (CST) |
Barley Sandwich – Q and A with industry and researchers | |
4:30 pm | Adjourn |
Day 3 - Thursday March 9
Is Biodiversity the new Carbon?
12:00 - 1:00 pm (CST) |
Living Labs – A new approach to on-farm innovation in beneficial management practices to tackle climate change Kevin Anderson - Living Labs Climate Change Lead, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada The living labs concept provides a new approach to agricultural innovation in Canada, which brings together farmers, scientists, and other collaborators to co-develop and test innovative management practices and technologies. Through a nation-wide network of living labs, the initiative focuses on innovative solutions to environmental issues related to agriculture, such as climate change, soil health, water quality and biodiversity. The goal of the program is to accelerate the development and adoption of sustainable practices and technologies by Canadian farmers. This talk will show how the living labs approach is been used at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to develop and deploy natural climate solutions in Canada’s agricultural sector through the Agricultural Climate Solutions program. Crop Management CEUs: 1 |
|
1:00 - 1:45 pm (CST) |
Graduate Student Research Video Competition and Voting | |
1:45 - 2:45 pm (CST) |
Moderator: Tim McAllister
Crop Management CEUs: 0.5 |
|
2:45 - 3:00 pm (CST) |
Break | |
3:00 - 3:45 pm (CST) |
Panel discussion |
|
3:45 - 4:00 pm (CST) |
Wrap up and Concluding Remarks | |
4:00 pm (CST) |
Barley Sandwich – Q and A with industry and researchers |