29th Western Canada Feedlot Management School
February 9-11, 2027
Saskatoon Inn & Conference Centre, 2002 Airport Dr, Saskatoon, SK
Hear from experienced cattle feeders and trusted experts about marketing strategies, building nutrition programs, and their impacts on animal health, economics, and the overall business of cattle feeding. We will also be hearing about employment programs and what employers should know about recruiting and hiring. And don’t forget our tour and demos – a sure way to spark conversation and learning for all attendees. Our exciting line up will provide anyone in the cattle feeding business important, practical, take-home lessons. Be sure to register early and take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn from industry experts and experienced producers.
Proud supporters of WCFMS:
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TUESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2027
*NOTE: Click on the speaker's name to view their speaker profile (speaker profiles coming soon)
| 6:00pm | Registration, Trade Show and Cocktails |
| 7:00pm | Welcome and Introductions Cody Robbins, Saskatchewan Cattle Feeders Association |
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KEYNOTE ADDRESS |
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| 7:15pm | Low Stress People Handling While most of us know about low stress cattle handling and take advantage of this concept in our cattle management, are there transferable concepts to working with our human staff and creating stronger, more efficient, happier groups? Ashley Nicols – REACH Ag Strategies |
| 8:15pm | Networking and Tradeshow |
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 10, 2027
*NOTE: Click on the speaker's name to view their speaker profile (speaker profiles coming soon)
| 7:00am | Registration, Breakfast and Tradeshow |
| 8:00am | Opening Remarks and Introductions Cody Robbins, Saskatchewan Cattle Feeders Association |
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ANIMAL HEALTH |
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| 8:10am | Understanding Feedlot Data Step one is ensuring you collect the important data and step two is organizing and applying that data to help you make informed decisions on how to manage your feeder cattle. Dr. Dan Thomson – Production Animal Consultants |
| 8:55am | H. Somni Vaccine Progress H. somni can cause many life threatening and financially significant diseases in feedlot cattle. Prevention through vaccines have the potential to reduce the prevalence of this difficult to diagnose disease. Hear about work being done to develop and commercialize a vaccine to control of the respiratory and systemic forms in Canadian feedlots. Dr. Andrew Van Kessell, VIDO |
| 9:35am | What’s New in the World of Parasite Controls Over the past number of years, resistance to ivermectin, has become a serious concern. Hear from a researcher who is working on identifying genomic adaptations in parasites and his work on new ways to target these troublesome species. Dr. James Wasmuth – University of Calgary |
| 9:55am | Refreshment and Networking Break |
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MEAT |
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| 10:30am | A Look Inside the Packing Plant As cattle feeders we are focused on the nutrition and animal health of our cattle, but how many of us are familiar with the end point? Here’s your chance to ask questions and improve your understanding of the packing plant. Mark Klassen – Canada Beef |
| 11:15am | Getting a Handle on Beef Grades Beef grading in Canada has gone through changes and updates over the past decade. Hear from our panel about why these changes were made and what information is available for cattle feeders about their end-product – BEEF! If you are thinking about how to make beef grade data work for you, you won’t want to miss this opportunity. Moderator: Amanda Bennett – Canada Beef Grading Agency Packer Panel - TBD |
| 12:00pm | Lunch and Networking |
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ANIMAL NUTRITION |
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| 1:00pm | Using NIR in Feed Formulation Using NIRS to monitor feed and fecal composition and better inform diet formulation and feedlot management decisions. Mary Lou Swift – Nutrition Consultant |
| 1:45pm | Evaluating Grain Processing A look at how to determine if your grain processing is making the grade and solutions to improve this process. Dr. Gabriel Ribeiro – University of Saskatchewan |
| 2:30pm | Effects of Off Feed Events on Gut Health The importance of effective feeding strategies and monitoring intakes has a direct effect on productivity. Dr. Greg Penner – University of Saskatchewan |
| 3:15pm | Refreshment and Networking Break |
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VIRTUAL TOUR |
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| 3:30pm | Virtual Tour - Kolk Farms TBD, Iron Springs, AB |
| 4:00pm | Open Floor for Question and Answer Session |
| 4:30pm | Conclude Afternoon Session |
| 5:30pm | Cocktails |
| 6:00pm | Banquet |
| 7:00pm | The History of Veterinary Medicine in Canada A lighthearted look at the evolution of veterinary medicine in Canada. Dr. Chris Clarke – Western College of Veterinary Medicine |
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 11, 2027
*NOTE: Click on the speaker's name to view their speaker profile (speaker profiles coming soon)
| 7:00am | Breakfast and Tradeshow |
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ANIMAL HANDLING |
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| 8:00am | Silage Panel What crops, double cropping, choosing varieties, putting up, storage, etc. How producers are managing and improving the quality and economics of this important asset in their feeding operations. Moderator: Theunis Wessels, Lallemand Producer Panelists - TBD |
| 9:00am | Anti-Microbial Resistance Study Results and Implications A look at AMR in Western Canada feedlot cattle – what the science has found and what we can do about it! Sheryl Gow – Western College of Veterinary Medicine |
| 9:45am | Technology in the Feedlot There are many avenues to use technology in modern feedlots. Learn about current and coming technologies that can streamline your day-to-day activities and help make more timely, effective decisions. Kris Stroeve – Cattle Tech |
| 10:30am | Networking Break |
| 11:00am | Virtual Tour - Westwood Land & Cattle TBD - Moosomin, SK |
| 11:30am | Open Floor for Question and Answer Session |
| 11:45am | Lunch and Networking |
| 12:30pm | Travel to LFCE for Hands on Demos |
| 1:30pm |
Hands on Demonstrations/Presentations (at LFCE) - full details coming soon |
| 3:30pm | WCFMS Wrap Up |
| 4:00pm | Load Buses |
| 4:30pm | Return to Hotel Conclude workshop and safe travels home! |
**Agenda subject to change
WCFMS is presented by
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