Calgary (Rural Roots Canada) – Hands on-learning, networking, great guest speakers and world-class entertainment highlight the 2023 edition of the Canadian Beef Industry Conference in mid-August.

This year’s event will take place August 15 – 17 at the BMO Centre in Calgary, with a pre-conference tour on Monday the 14th.

Chair Dr. Elizabeth Homerosky says they are kicking off this year with keynote speakers Brian Burke and Cherie Copithorne-Barnes.

Burke is a longtime NHL executive and philanthropist and Copithorne-Barnes is the owner of CL Ranches west of Calgary and a 5th generation rancher.

“They’re going to have a very engaging fireside chat to start off our conference,” says Homerosky.

The closing keynote will be with Registered Dietician Diana Rodgers from Sustainable Dish.

“She’s going to talk about how well-managed grazing animals help improve our ecosystems and contribute to a well-balanced diet.”

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Homerosky says they are also adding a producer boot camp this year, which will include 20 sessions geared to give producers hands-on experience with skills that they can take back to their operation.

“They can circulate through the different booths and learn how to implant, operate a dart gun properly, ground your fence, and sample a bale.”

Homerosky says that is one of the things that makes the event unique.

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When it comes to entertainment, Homerosky gets excited when saying the committee knocked it out of the park this year.

The conference has partnered with Lammles to bring in a Bullfighters Only event.

“It’s the same that you’d see in Vegas and other big rodeos around the world.”

During the event, the bullfighters are given a minute on the arena floor to show off their skills, which includes everything from flips to turns and skills around bulls.

She says throwing in supper and drinks will make for a fantastic Thursday night and way to close the conference.

The veterinarian and cattle rancher says she always looks forward to networking with people from across Canada.

“It’s great to sit across the table from other producers, industry professionals, share ideas, talk about things that we learned at the conference, talk about things that we are working on with their operations, things that aren’t working, and just share stories that way.”

The conference also has a great trade show showcasing some of the best new technology coming down the pipeline.

For more information on this conference and to register, click here.