January 23, 2013
The Canola Council of Canada and provincial canola growers’ associations will host CanoLABs at three locations across the Prairies this February and March. The one-day interactive workshop — with real plants, real insects and real diseases — gives growers and agronomists the opportunity to learn from a team of experts how to recognize, diagnose and manage canola production issues.
“CanoLAB is a truly unique learning experience,” says Dan Orchard, Canola Council of Canada (CCC) agronomy specialist for north central Alberta. “You get a full day with an extensive list of professional instructors, and you get to see numerous canola plants exposed to multiple treatments — during the off season.”
The Alberta lab, co-hosted by Alberta Canola Producers Commission and CCC, is February 20 and 21 at Hole’s Enjoy Centre in St. Albert. Manitoba’s lab, co-hosted by Manitoba Canola Growers Association (MCGA) and CCC, with help from Assiniboine Community College, is February 28 and March 1 at the Keystone Centre in Brandon. SaskCanola and CCC will host CanoLAB in Saskatoon, March 27-28. Attendees choose one day.
CanoLABs will have a number of stations, with a different theme for each. Themes include insects, diseases, and diagnostics, with slight variations in each province. Highly regarded experts lead each station.
Registrations are limited to ensure that all participants can see clearly and be fully engaged. “Keeping the groups small will allow participants to interact directly with the researchers and industry experts at each station,” says Tiffany Martinka, CCC agronomy specialist for eastern Saskatchewan. “Every person will have a chance to get up close to touch or examine the insects and live plant materials.”
Manitoba Canola Growers Association will host its AGM during the February 28 CanoLAB, offering a special registration rate for members. Bill Ross, MCGA executive director, says if growers are looking for tools to help their farm operations, this educational day could bring more dollars to their bottom line than many other events they attend. “CanoLAB will replicate symptoms that often show up in fields during the growing season, giving growers and agronomists an ideal way to sharpen their diagnostic skills during the winter.”
Details and registration
CanoLAB St. Albert, February 20 or 21, Enjoy Centre at Hole’s Greenhouse. Cost is $135 plus GST. Lunch is included. Registration is almost sold out. For more information and to register, visit http://canola.ab.ca/canolab_2013.aspx. Choose the waiting list option if the event is sold out.
CanoLAB Brandon, February 28 or March 1, Keystone Centre, UCT Pavilion. MCGA members pay $50 for the February 28 event, which includes the MCGA AGM. There is no charge for attending the AGM only. Cost to non-members is $125 for February 28 and March 1. Lunch is included. Register at www.regonline.com/canolab13 or call 204-982-7751.
CanoLAB Saskatoon, March 27 or 28, TCU Place. Cost is $150. Lunch is included. Registration opens at 9:00 a.m., Friday, February 1 at www.canolacouncil.org. Call Tiffany Martinka at 306-231-3663 or click here for a PDF with agenda and here to register.
For specific information, including station themes and attending experts for all three locations, read the Canola Watch article here: http://www.canolawatch.org/2013/01/09/canolab-2013-in-st-albert-brandon-and-saskatoon/
CCA credits are available for attending CanoLAB.
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Media contacts:
Alberta
Dan Orchard
Canola Council of Canada
Agronomy Specialist, Central Alberta North
780-777-9923
orchardd@canolacouncil.org
Rick Taillieu
Alberta Canola Producers Commission
Grower Relations & Extension Coordinator
780- 678-6167
rick@canola.ab.ca
Saskatchewan
Tiffany Martinka
Canola Council of Canada
Agronomy Specialist, Eastern Saskatchewan
306-231-3663
martinkat@canolacouncil.org
Manitoba
Bill Ross
Manitoba Canola Growers Association
Executive Manager
204-982-2120
rossb@mcgacanola.org
