Join thousands of farmers and agri-food producers Jan. 24-26 in comparing and investigating what more than 250 dealers and manufacturers have to make a farm more efficient.

Additional events of interest to dairy producers include the BCAC Gala and the BC Dairy Expo, Agri-energy Forum and farm tours. Read on to learn more about each one.

BCAC Gala
The BC Agriculture Council (BCAC) Gala, which takes place in the Ramada Inn on Wednesday evening, Jan. 23, has lined up a couple of ranchers from South Dakota to be the keynote speakers.

Troy and Stacey Hadrick have a story to tell that is both interesting and humorous. Some years ago, a reporter for the New York Times did an article on their ranch portraying their business and agriculture in a way they did not like.

So the two embarked on a campaign to change people’s thinking about agriculture and have travelled the world delivering their message.

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They hit it big when they discovered that Yellowtale Wines, which are produced in Australia and sold throughout North America (including in local wine stores), was a major financial contributor to the American SPCA, which has an agenda that is opposed to animal agriculture.

When they made this information available on the Internet, it forced Yellowtale to cease its donations to the SPCA in the U.S.

The BCAC has been able to arrange that the Hadricks also host a workshop on Thursday morning, Jan. 24, at the Pacific Agriculture Show. It will be held in the new loft, atop the restaurant, which has been remodeled to now serve as a seminar room.

A Farmer ID card will grant entry to those wishing to attend the workshop. Contact BCAC to obtain an ID card.

BC Dairy Expo
The BC Dairy Expo runs all day, Thursday, Jan. 24, in the BMO (Dairy) room. The theme this year is ‘proAction Initiative’ – a Dairy Farmers of Canada plan to effectively develop and efficiently deliver important farm programs.

The list of speakers includes the Vice President of Dairy Farmers of Canada and a PEI dairy farmer, Ron Maynard; Dr. Terry Whiting from Manitoba, who will speak about Canada’s new biosecurity standards; David Zuest from the CFIA who will talk about cull cow transportation concerns and tips; and Dr. Jeff Rushen who will discuss dairy cow longevity.

Pacific Agri-Energy Forum
Renewable agri-energy technology adoption enables producers to diversify beyond conventional agricultural-based income sources. It can also attract investment and create high-quality local jobs.

The 2013 Agri-Energy Forum on Friday, Jan. 25, will explore government’s role in agri-energy adoption, review different renewable energy technologies and investigate innovative co-product development work.

Registration for the Agri-Energy Forum includes a three-day entry pass to the Pacific Agriculture Show. Registration is $80 for non-producers and $20 for agricultural producers (if you register before Jan. 7). To register or for more details, visit www.agricultureshow.net/agri-energy-forum

BC Dairy Expo farm tours
Ten farms are participants in the 2013 Dairy Expo open house farm tours. Visiting hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 23. Owners, building contractors and equipment suppliers will be on hand to answer questions you may have.

See information on the individual farms below. For further tour information, call John Luymes at the Ministry of Agriculture in Abbotsford at (604) 556-3114.

For more information on exhibitors, seminar contacts, the Gala, and other items of interest visit the Pacific Agriculture Show website or contact JGS Events Inc., (604) 291-1553 or click here to e-mail.  PD

Dykshoorn FarmsDykshoorn Farms, Abbotsford

Hosts: Mike & Helen Dykshoorn and Family

  • New double-24 parallel milking parlour
  • Pedometers and sort gate; crowd gate
  • Two-year-old manure system for flush barns
  • Primary and secondary separators with roller press
  • 1,000 cubic foot TMR wagon with automatic three-speed and cab control
  • Alley matting, ventilation curtains, parlour windows, parlour matting and ventilation

 

Seabreeze FarmSeabreeze Farm, Delta

Hosts: Jerry & Sonya Keulen and Family

  • New double-20 parallel parlour
  • Pedometers and sort gate
  • Scraper with flush flume
  • First catch-and-release cable scraper
  • Separator as part of sand reclamation system
  • Curtains and comfort stalls

 

 

Cedarbrink DairyCedarbrink Dairy, Chilliwack

Hosts: Alfred and Cora Van Den Brink

  • New drive-through barn with fabric-covered roof
  • Ventilation curtains
  • Chain-driven alley scraper

 

 

 

Aldor Acres Dairy CentreAldor Acres Dairy Centre, Langley

Hosts: Brian and Erin Anderson

  • Installation of voluntary milking system (VMS) robot in 2012
  • Agri-tourism site
  • Milking a variety of breeds, including Holsteins, Jerseys, Brown Swiss and Guernseys

 

 

Rose Gate Dairy FarmsRose Gate Dairy Farms, Abbotsford

Hosts: Ted and Greta DeJong

  • Existing drive-through barn installed with four Astronaut 4 robots
  • Milk taxi with pasteurization, and second milk line for calf feeding
  • Ruminant and heat detection, sort gates, cow brush and robotic feed pusher
  • Stall mats, alley mats, flex augers, peak and sidewall ventilation curtains


Open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and a lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

Driessen FarmsDriessen Farms, Deroche

Hosts: Fred and Rose Driessen

  • New heifer barn for 175 animals aged 3 months; bred in five groups
  • Headlocks
  • Curtains
  • Alley scrapers
  • Shuttle at the back of the barn takes manure directly to the pit

 

Mardelen HolsteinsMardelen Holsteins, Chilliwack

Hosts: Len, Adam and Grant Bouwman

  • New fan bedding recovery unit and composting equipment with automated monitoring system

 

 

 

 

 

Pacific Rim Dairy milking systemPacific Rim Dairy, Chilliwack

Hosts: Bernard Klop and Family

  • New Astrea 20.20 robotic milking system
  • Pedometers and sort gate
  • Veterinary chute
  • Slatted floor scrapers
  • Curtains

 

 

 

Windy DairyWindy Dairy, Chilliwack

Hosts: Wim and Johanna Klop

  • Renovation of existing dairy and new 216-foot by 69-foot barn to accommodate Astronaut 4 robotic milking system and flush flume manure system
  • New hay storage and machine storage buildings
  • Heat detection, sort gates and cow brush
  • Alley scrapers, manure pumps and ventilation curtains
  • Veterinary chute
  • Comfort stalls

 

Boa Vista FarmBoa Vista Farm, Chilliwack

Hosts: Charlie and Steven Elgersma

  • New 130-foot by 220-foot drive-through barn with two Astronaut 4robots and flush flume manure system
  • Rumination and heat detection, sort gates, cow brush, and robotic
  • feed pusher
  • Comfort stalls, curtains, alley rubber, and alley manure scrapers
  • Hoof trimming chute
  • Flex augers

-- From Pacific Agricultural Show news release