Annual Workshop

MANITOBA-NORTH DAKOTA ZERO TILLAGE
FARMERS ASSOCIATION WORKSHOP

Click here to link to Silver Partners

January 11th - 13th, 2010
Holiday Inn
Minot ND

Click here for the Workshop and Trade Show brochure with mail-in registration

Click here for a workshop exhibit space contract

Click here for a partnership agreement

Click here for the Workshop and Trade Show mailer

2010 ManDak Zero Till Workshop and Trade Show Synopsis

Two Internationally known experts in No-till will highlight the Manitoba North Dakota Zero Tillage Farmers’ Association Workshop to be held in Minot, ND on January 11-13, 2010. The theme of this year’s workshop is “Changing with the Times” and will be used to help producers move no-till to the next level. Consumers are not only looking for good quality food but also are interested in the manner in which food is produced. This workshop will provide producers ideas for improving productivity, decreasing costs, while providing high quality food produced in a sustainable manner.

The keynote speaker is Dr. João Carlos de Moreaes Sa’. Juca Sa as his friends call him, is a professor in the Department of Soil Science at the State University of Ponta Grossa, Brasil has studied long term changes in soil organic matter as a result of climate, and management and it affect on productivity in tropical, subtropical, and temperate zones. Dr. Sa’ will discuss “Keeping the soil permanently covered for high profitability and sustainability” in the keynote address on January 12. Innovative approaches in the no-till system that Dr. Sa’ discusses can propel producers to a higher level of productivity while reducing costs – even in a cold climate as found in the northern Great Plains. Dwayne Beck of Dakota Lakes Research Farm located near Pierre, SD said “If you ever wanted to see what Beck is like on steroids you need to listen to Juca Sa’. He’s got so many ideas for no-till that it will challenge even the most experienced no-till producers in considering the options.”

The second internationally known speaker that will challenge producers in their quest for the ultimate cropping system is Dr. Theodor Friedrich, FAO, Rome, Italy. Dr. Friedrich is an expert in Conservation Agriculture with more than 10 years of practical work experience in the area and working experience in more than 60 countries in the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania. Dr. Friedrich will present on “Environmentally friendly and productivity agriculture – the role of conservation agriculture for ecosystem management.” Combining intensive productive farming with environmental protection and ecosystem services and what role no-till farming systems and particularly Conservation Agriculture as a specific no-till farming system has on the northern Great Plains. Conservation Agriculture is different from just “no-till” but something that will help producers meet the challenge of changing times.

Other scientists as well as producers will discuss specific topics on cover crops, insect, disease, weed, fertility and cold/wet soil management as related to the demands for no-till during the three day program. According to Mark Jennings, avid no-till producer near Washburn, ND and President of the Manitoba North Dakota Zero Tillage Farmers’ Association, “Producers should come away with at least 10 good ideas that they can apply to their farms during the next cropping season and at least two good ideas to position their farming operation to take advantage of the changes occurring. This workshop should be well worth the effort and time to attend.”

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