2025 On demand videos
These are pre-recorded presentations which are available for viewing online during GBFW'25 and for 30 days afterwards.
Anyone who purchases a ticket will be given access to these videos, whether you attend GBFW in-person in Elmwood, or online through the livestream.
Updates for the 2025 program will be made as they become available.
OSCIA Programs Update
Presented by: Lois Sinclair, Regional Program Lead/Client Services Team/Workshop Leader, Ontario Soil & Crop Improvement Association
Lois will share details about the programs that OSCIA offers, and the funding that they administer.
Lois grew up in Huron County on a mixed farm north of Goderich. She is heading into her 18th year with OSCIA. She started with OSCIA as a program representative in Huron County, for 8 years. Then as Regional Program Lead for the Regions of Heartland, Georgian Central, and Hamilton-Wentworth, serving producers in those 9 Counties. Changes in 2023 puts her working alongside all field staff, being “the client services team”. She lives in Huron County, with her husband Bob, on a beef and cash crop operation. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, their four grandchildren and when time permits, a challenging puzzle.
Cattle Market Oulook
Presented by: Steve Duff, Chief Economist, OMAFA
Steve will provide a current situation and outlook for the cattle sector.
Coming from a dairy and beef background in Northumberland county, Steve completed a Masters in Ag Economics from the University of Guelph in 1996. Steve joined OMAFRA in late 1997 and for close to 15 years, Steve was OMAFRA’s lead on business risk management programs such as AgriStability and Crop Insurance. In 2016, Steve was the recipient of the FARE Distinguished Alumni award. Steve is currently OMAFRA’s Chief Economist. Steve is an adjunct professor at the University of Guelph and former Vice-Chair of Farm Management Canada. Steve and his wife Robyn also operate a beef and cash crop operation near Colborne Ontario.
Sheep Market Oulook
Presented by: Steve Duff, Chief Economist, OMAFA
Steve will provide a current situation and outlook for the sheep and wool sector.
Coming from a dairy and beef background in Northumberland county, Steve completed a Masters in Ag Economics from the University of Guelph in 1996. Steve joined OMAFRA in late 1997 and for close to 15 years, Steve was OMAFRA’s lead on business risk management programs such as AgriStability and Crop Insurance. In 2016, Steve was the recipient of the FARE Distinguished Alumni award. Steve is currently OMAFRA’s Chief Economist. Steve is an adjunct professor at the University of Guelph and former Vice-Chair of Farm Management Canada. Steve and his wife Robyn also operate a beef and cash crop operation near Colborne Ontario.
Bactoscan Testing and milk quality troubleshooting
Presented by: Betty-Anne Elliott, Field Service Representative, Dairy Farmers of Ontario
Betty-Anne will talk about what your Bactoscan result tells you, and cover troubleshooting tips for improving your milk quality.
I started my career with OMAF as a "milk inspector" in 1982 after receiving my BSC(Agriculture) from the University of Guelph. In 1998, I joined Dairy Farmers of Ontario as the Field service Representative for Bruce and Huron Counties. I continue to provide support to producers regarding DFO policies, ensure farms in my zone have Grade A premises and assist producers with milk quality issues.
Hybrid Selection: The Ins and Outs of Corn Silage
Presented by: Stephan Botha Ruminant Sales and Nutrition Representative, Wallenstein Feed and Supply
This will be a discussion on corn silage hybrid selection to maximize performance for from the focus of heat units variety and disease management.
Stephan was born and raised in South Africa and moved to Canada at age 16. He worked with elephants for around 15 years. He spent a number of years traveling to the US and Africa doing repro and research work before starting his Masters at the University of Guelph with a focus on reproductive biology. Stephan then moved to Eastern Ontario where he started his career in dairy nutrition.
Of course I'm Stressed! How to Manage the unavoidable stresses of farming
Presented by: Carrie Pollard, Owner, Flourish with Compassion Psychotherapy
As farmers we encounter daily demands, challenges and stresses that are unexpected, unavoidable, or out of our control. Fortunately, not all stress is harmful and some can actually be helpful. This presentation will help you recognize the signs of chronic stress and burnout and offer practical tools for making stress work for you, rather than against you.
Carrie is a registered social worker, grain farmer, and a mother of five children and a basset hound named Henry. She brings 20 years of clinical experience to her conversations about farmer mental health and wellness.
Bridging the Neural Divide: Horses and Humans Aligned
Presented by: Melissa Cacamo, Equine Massage Therapy Instructor, Equi-SMART
Discover the remarkable parallels and connections between the nervous systems of horses and humans in this enlightening presentation. We’ll explore the anatomy and physiology of both species' nervous systems, delving into how they process stimuli, respond to their environments, and communicate with one another. Learn how neural pathways influence equine-human interactions, from enhancing performance to deepening the bonds between horse and rider. Through real-world examples and scientific insights, this presentation will showcase the importance of understanding these systems to improve training, care, and overall well-being for both species.
Melissa Caccamo has been a certified equine massage therapist since she was 17, and has spent a good portion of her career teaching classes and speaking at events. Melissa’s patience and qualified abilities with horses extends as well towards her students when teaching and helping them to understand and appreciate each horse that they work on.
OSF Update
Presented by: Erin Morgan, Executive Director, Ontario Sheep Farmers
Erin will give an update on OSF's activities from 2024 and plans for 2025.
Erin Morgan joined Ontario Sheep Farmers in September 2022 as executive director. She brings to her role strengths in team leadership, collaboration, government relations, strategic planning, people management and co-operation. Before joining OSF, Erin was the executive director of the Ontario Co-operative Association where she worked with the team to double OCA’s membership, work with government to make key updates to the Co-operative Corporations Act, and diversify the income of the organization presence. Prior to joining OCA in 2016, Erin worked for 10 years in leadership roles with Ontario farm organizations, including the Ontario Wheat Board, Grain Farmers of Ontario and Ontario Bean Growers. Erin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from the University of Guelph and resides in the Guelph community.
OLPC Update
Presented by: TBD
Info coming soon.
Info coming soon.
Intro to sidesaddle
Presented by: Debbie Smith & Susan Aldis, Co-founders of the Canadian Side Saddle Alliance
This presentation introduces the world of sidesaddle! Types of sidesaddles (English/Western), parts of the saddle and how they fit to horses and riders, rider position on the saddle and the sidesaddle habit will all be covered in the video.
Debbie's sidesaddle career has taken her to Britain several times to attend their prestigious Sidesaddle Nationals (a show that spans 3 days and hosts over 60 sidesaddle classes) as well as to connect with some of the top sidesaddle instructors/saddlers and sidesaddle specialists in Britain. She has been a contributing member over the years to side saddle associations in the USA and is currently The Side Saddle Association, UK representative to Canada. Debbie has presented sidesaddle displays, both English and Western, at Equitana USA Kentucky, Equine Affaire Ohio and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Toronto, Canada among other venues. She provided the sidesaddle and worked on the set of the movie Enslavement, the true story of Fannie Kamble with Jane Seymour and Murdock Mysteries in Toronto, Canada. Currently, Debbie and Susan Aldis, co-founders of The Canadian Side Saddle Alliance, enjoy offering assistance to individuals interested in starting to ride aside and organizations looking to further their sidesaddle knowledge by providing the best possible advice and guidance on finding a saddle, correct fitting of the saddle to the horse/rider, the correct position and balance once on the sidesaddle and to work with the horse/ rider combination to incorporate the sidesaddle in to the equestrian discipline they wish to work in. Assistance can also be provided in correct attire for their discipline, be it English (formal/non- formal) and Western for the show ring.
Beef on Dairy: an Albertan's Perspective
Presented by: Leighton Kolk, CEO, Kolk Farms Ltd.
KFL's experiences and management evolution in feeding crossbreds.
Leighton is the CEO and major shareholder of Kolk Farms Ltd., a cattle feeding and seed retail business in Southern Alberta near the metropolis of Iron Springs. Kolk Farms has grown from an 80-acre parcel of irrigated land. Now they are producing 20 million pounds of beef each year in their feeder to finish operation, with a 50+% beef dairy cross inventory.
Importance of Cow Nutrition on Colostrum
Presented by: Amanda Kerr, Ruminant Nutritionist, Wallenstein Feed and Supply Ltd.
The importance of providing good quality colostrum quickly after birth to calves has been well established and important to abide by. However, let us take a step back and consider colostrogensis (how colostrum is made) and review strategies in cow nutrition which may impact colostrum quality and quantity.
Amanda Kerr is a Ruminant Nutritionist at Wallenstein Feed and Supply Ltd., with extensive experience in youngstock nutrition and management.
Understanding Your Soil Test Results
Presented by: Colin Elgie, Soil Fertility Specialist, OMAFA
Info coming soon.
Colin Elgie has been involved with agriculture his entire life. He is the 6th generation on the family farm in beautiful Dawn Mills, ON, and farms part time with his father, uncle, and brother. After graduating from the University of Guelph in 2009 with a B.Sc. (Agr.) degree, he worked as an agronomist for an ag retailer for 13 years, and obtained his CCA-ON with 4R NMS specialty. He has a thirst for knowledge, and his current position at OMAFRA allows him to learn from farmers and researchers across Ontario, and share advice to improve soil and crop fertility.
Getting the most out of Your Manure Applications
Presented by: Christine Brown, Field Crop Sustainability Specialist, OMAFA
Manure is a valuable resource for nutrients and building soil health. We will explore how application timing, rate as well as new equipment and technologies can help maximize manure benefits.
Christine Brown is a Field Crop Sustainability Specialist with OMAFRA. Her work focuses on issues and best management practices around nutrient and soil management using manure and organic amendments. Christine is a certified crop advisor with a 4R Nutrient management specialty. She lives with her family on a small farm outside of London.
Overview of the Ontario Organic Market
Presented by: Dr. Erica Shelley
Join OCO and COTA for a special webinar where Dr. Erica Shelley will present highlights from the 2024 Ontario Organic Market Report, offering insights for producers, retailers, and consumers. Key Highlights: Market Value: Ontario’s organic food and beverage sales hit $1.141 billion, making up 38% of national sales. Top Products: Ontario leads Canada in organic beans (49% of national sales); organic dairy and eggs represent 18.1% of the provincial market. Trends: Plant-based alternatives like tofu grew 41% from 2020-2023, and select organic items are now cheaper than conventional options. Future Outlook: Growth opportunities in supply chains, product innovation, and consumer education, with inflation-resistant products enhancing affordability.
Info coming soon.
Organic Corn & Wheat report
Presented by: Laura Telford
In this session, Laura Telford will delve into the state of Ontario’s organic corn and wheat markets, presenting critical insights and analysis from the 2024 report. Highlights include: Production Insights: Understand the concentration of organic corn and wheat in Ontario. Get the latest figures on production areas, volumes, and farmgate values for these two major crops. Market Trends: Learn about market prices, the role of organic mills, and the shift in demand driven by larger buyers. Discover how the domestic and interprovincial markets are evolving. Future Outlook: Hear about trends that may impact the future market for organic wheat and corn. We’ll hear from SureSource and The Andersosn to get their take on factors influencing sales and prices beyond the current harvest. Buyers’ Perspective: We encourage buyers to join us, share their thoughts, and engage in valuable dialogue with producers.
Info coming soon.
Farming with native pollinators- If you build it, will they come?
Presented by: Kevin How, Jason Gibbs
Info coming soon.
Info coming soon.
The Benefits and Value of Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGDs)
Presented by: Krisztian Vas
Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGDs) have been utilized for millennia in Eurasia to protect livestock from predators and bandits. The use of LGDs in a North American context is a much more recent phenomenon. Nonetheless, due to existence and threat of predators as well as the continued population growth of coyotes in many parts of North America, including Southern Ontario, utilizing LGDs to safeguard livestock is both an economically viable as well as environmentally friendly form of predator control. This presentation will outline the role of LGDs in predator management, planning and incorporating LGDs into livestock operations, a cost-benefit analysis as well as latest trends and what can be expected moving forward.
Krisztian Vas has an extensive academic and research background in tourism planning and development, wildlife conservation and applied ecology. He conducted his masters and PhD related to bird conservation and developing tangible strategies in applying revenues gained from tourism into bird conservation. His passion for wildlife conservation is also the reason he keeps and breeds Hungarian Kuvasz livestock guardian dogs, which he has had since he was 10 years old. Currently, Krisztian is the President of the Kuvasz Club of Canada as all as the founder and owner of Hungarikum Kuvasz Kennel. Furthermore, his is now dedicating much of his time and effort combining his passion for wildlife conservation and heritage breed preservation by promoting and educating about livestock guardian dogs.