Saturday, January 20 is an exciting day for women in the agriculture sector as the annual Ladies Livestock Lessons workshop is set to take place.
The Acme Community Centre will be buzzing with eager participants and professionals of different areas of expertise.
“It’s a workshop where you get to learn with other farming women and there are several things you get to learn about for example succession planning, a bit of grazing, farm to plate and social licensing, calving, plant identification, software from Cowbytes,” said Daniela Lemus, a volunteer taking care of the registration for the event. “There’s a whole lot of stuff.”
Cowbytes is a beef ration balancing software program that allows the user to calculate nutrient values and can combine ration information with management and economics. It is an important decision-making tool for cattle producers when determining what to feed the animal.
The winter workshop will focus on succession planning which will be directed by Shauna Feth, executive director of the University of Alberta School of Business. Succession planning is a process which prepares families or business dynamics for a transition into a new role or when a position becomes available.
A presentation on the environmental impact of the beef industry will be conducted by Kelsey Spicer-Rawe and Fawn Jackson of Cows & Fish and a session on From Farm to Plate and social license by Shannon and Danny Ruzicka of Natures Green Acres will happen afterward.
The social license they will be talking about involves the approval of the surrounding community and stakeholders who may play a part in your business as well as social acceptance of the practice. It is a term for the dynamic and non-permanent structure that is subject to change due to specific beliefs, opinions, and perceptions.
“They learn lots, you would be surprised how many people there are in the calving business not knowing a whole lot,” said Lemus. “I think it encourages them to go to this because it is intended for ladies and they don’t feel intimidated by it.”
Breakout sessions are also planned, featuring a calving clinic with Dr. Gord Krebs of Didsbury Veterinary Services.
Barry Yaremcio of Alberta Agriculture and Forestry will explain the in’s and out’s of Cowbytes and the Ladies Livestock Lessons committee will do a hands-on practice session on plant identification.
“This is a pretty well-rounded workshop for anybody wanting to get first-hand information on topics given by very well-rounded experts,” said Lemus.
The registration will cover all meals, sessions, and snacks. Registration is available online at Eventbrite: https://2018LLL.eventbrite.ca/.
For more information, contact Lemus at 403-335-3311 extension 204 or email her at dlemus@mvcounty.com
