Roadshow attendees arrived by motor coach on the morning of Sept. 10 and were encouraged to tour the farm show site in Woodstock. They met later in the day for a networking event that heard introductions from several business leaders, including Marco Saladini, Trade Commissioner with the Italian Trade Agency.

In an interview earlier in the day, Saladini offered, “I am very impressed by this show, by the organization, by the attendance, and I am eager to take a walk and figure out what could be the next steps for our programs supporting Italian companies and their interactions with [the] Canadian agricultural world.”

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However what does that mean for rotational grazers, when the grass is growing well?

James Clark, territory manager for Ontario for Gallagher, says that managing any eventuality in rotational grazing starts with having a large area surrounding by a perimeter fence, giving flexibility and options. He presented the grazing seminars at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in Woodstock this week.

“Some farms, they automatically know, because their climate is pretty stable, that the first go around is going to be half acre plots, the next go around is going to be one acre plots, and one after that’s going to be two acres,” he says.

A farmer will know that every four or five years a bigger rain or drought event will happen.

If it’s wetter, the plots will need to be shortened up, as there’s more for the livestock to eat. Or, in a dry year, widen the plots.

Setting up all permanent fencing will mean a lack of flexibility.

Clark targets two fence movements per day as the ‘sweet spot’ for rotational grazing. Two rotations per day instead of one can add 30 more days of feed over a grazing season. Three fencing changes per day instead of two only increases the feed by five more days.

Clark knows of a farm that was up to six times per day rotating cattle and they were able to graze almost 11 months of the year, but they’ve since cut that back to four movements.

Be desciplined about rotations and don’t micromanage them, set the system and rotate the cattle or sheep when it’s time to do so.

“Don’t let it go to seed and don’t let it get below six inches,” he says.

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Rob O’Connor, COFS show director, said the show’s dynamic nature is on display this year.

“There’s nothing ‘always the same’ at this show,” he told attendees at the opening ceremony of the thirty-first annual show.

He noted that one of the key changes this year was an expanded “international effort” aimed at attracting international buyers to Canadian farm equipment manufacturers.

“We expect it to continue to grow in the coming years,” he said.

One of the dignitaries speaking at the launch was Senator Rob Black, who chairs the Senate Agriculture and Forestry Committee and is author of “Critical Ground”, a recent report on soil health in Canada. He touted the importance of using innovation and technology to meet the sustainability challenges Canadian farmers face. He noted the importance of agriculture and the need to ensure it has the tools it needs to succeed.

“Through innovation, collaboration and strong leadership, agriculture will overcome these challenges and build a bright future for Canadian farmers,” he said.

Next to take the stage was Rob Flack, Ontario minister of agriculture, food and agribusiness, who noted that agriculture in Ontario is an overlooked powerhouse. The long-time agri-business executive called on all attendees to promote the sector, noting it contributed $51 billion to Ontario’s economy last year, and was quickly growing.

He added that the sector employed 871,000 people in 2023, accounts for one in nine jobs in the province, and total employment in food and beverage exceeds that of the auto sector.

“That’s why it is so important to invest — not spend, invest — in our farmers and food industry,” Flack said.

A major focus of the show is farm equipment, and O’Connor noted that Canada is a major player in this industry, and Ontario leads the country in export sales of equipment.

Bob Cochrane, general manager of Highline Manufacturing and CEO of the Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada, said Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show has become an important event for the sector.

“I am very excited to be here today, as both an exhibitor, and as a representative of AMC,” he told attendees. “We’re very excited to showcase our products to producers at this showcase of all things agricultural.”

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