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Innovation is focus of upcoming presentation for Quesnel-area farmers

Farm Credit Canada presents free event Nov. 21
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Lindsay Chung photo

Innovation and new ideas for beef producers are the focus of an upcoming presentation being brought to Quesnel by Farm Credit Canada (FCC).

FCC presents “Disruptive Ideas That Drive Innovation and Trends and Trade Opportunities in Beef Markets” Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion.

During the presentation, Kevin Stewart will show producers how lessons learned from unconventional success stories in all walks of life can inspire them to greater business success in their operation, distilling the most motivating material from his “Success Habits of Business Mavericks” presentation, according to FCC.

“Success doesn’t necessarily come to the smartest or luckiest, but to those with the courage to ask disruptive questions and try disruptive ideas,” states FCC’s website.

This free presentation offers producers a chance to benefit from the business savvy of thought leaders of the past, discover how “disruptive ideas” can improve their operation, and strengthen their leadership habits on and off the farm.

The event will also feature a presentation by Brian Perillat, who will speak about what to expect in beef markets for this year and beyond, including industry structure trends and trade developments. Producers can learn how to position their business to mitigate risk and grow profitability.

Perillat will provide insight about trends shaping the Canadian cattle industry, explore key factors shaping North American and international beef markets, and share why managing price risk is important in today’s market.

FCC business development manager Lang Ellison says FCC offers knowledge exchange events like this each year to offer farmers more tools.

“We do a lot of agricultural knowledge events across the country and, certainly, there are a lot of changes that go on,” he says. “It’s giving farmers the opportunity to innovate and do things better, to give people better products … what we are trying to do is if they can be more innovative and make more money, it ties into making them better farmers and makes them better clients for us. If we can serve them better, it creates better agriculture and better food.”

Ellison says they typically offer one presentation like this a year. They put on events this past February and heard feedback that it wasn’t the best time of year for beef producers, so they are trying November this year to see if that works better, he explains.

“It might be a bit early for the markets, but it’s a toss up.”

Ellison says the speakers have a lot to offer.

“Brian, I think he has a really good understanding of the industry and the markets and where they go and what you should be looking at,” he says. “From Kevin, I think you’re going to get that strategic thinking outside the box that will allow you to think ‘we’re going to do something new and different.’ I think you’re going to get that kind of push to be innovative, and that’s why we’ve chosen him to be out there and do that.”

Ellison says this mix of technical analysis and innovative thinking is what they strive to offer.

“We’re trying to be making sure we talk about the industry and those technical numbers, such as when you should sell, to help farmers, and we try to put something else with it that makes them better leaders on the farm and helps with management,” he says. “We’re always trying to do a little bit extra for them.”

Ellison wants to emphasize you do not need to be an FCC client to attend the presentation.

“It’s open to everyone,” he says. “Any farmer can attend. Certainly, we want to see more farmers there because if we get better farmers, we’re all better for it across the country. That’s why we put them on. And we love talking about cows.”

Producers interested in this presentation are encouraged to register early so organizers know how many lunches to provide. There is no registration deadline, but space is limited. To register online, visit eventbrite.ca/e/disruptive-ideas -that-drive-innovation -trends-and-trade- opportunities-in-beef -markets-quesnel-registration-49218015409.