NOTE: CCA credits will be available. More details to follow.

Bruce Murray, Monsanto Canada Inc.
February 8, 2012 - 9:15 am - 9:55 am
TOPIC: Volunteer Roundup Ready Canola Control in Roundup Ready Corn

Bruce has worked in the Ag industry for over 25 years. He has held positions within both industry and government, as a field researcher, manager and an extensionist. While working with MAFRI Bruce delivered extension for both entomology and weed science.

Currently Bruce is a DEKALB Agronomist with Monsanto covering eastern Manitoba. He is responsible for large scale research trials in corn, soy and canola. He resides in Carman Manitoba with his wife Cindy and two boys Scott and Connor

Bruce earned three degrees at the University of Manitoba. He has a B.Sc.in Agriculture (Plant Science), a M.Sc. (Plant Breeding) and a PhD (Weed Ecology and Weed Resistance Biology and Genetics ).

Jeff Giesbrecht, Greenvalley Equipment Inc.
February 8, 2012 - 10:00 am - 10:40 am
TOPIC: New Johns Deere S Series Harvesting System

Greenvalley Equipment Inc.’s Product Specialist Jeff Giesbrecht offers 16 years of On Farm and Infield experience specializing in Machine & Logistics Optimization. Jeff works closely with Ag Producers to assist with Optimizing  New John Deere Equipment & Technologies as well as On Farm Logistics.

John Deere introduced All New S-Series combines in 2012, Jeff performed in field testing, customer demonstrations and provided training to GVE’s Sales Staff. Approximately 125 hours were spent in the field during the 2012 harvest working with the New S690 combine moulding Jeff into a true S-Series Product Specialist.

Dr. Carlos M Monreal, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
February 8, 2012 11:20 am - 12:00 pm
TOPIC: Development of Intelligent Nano-Fertilizers

Dr. Carlos M. Monreal has a B.Sc. in Agricultural Engineering, a M.Sc. in Soil Fertility and a Ph.D. in Soil Microbiology and Biochemistry. He was a recipient of the Canadian Wheat Board Fellowship, and received awards from Canadian producer group in Saskatchewan. His expertise is in the areas of soil environmental health, soil organic matter, C and N cycling, crop root exudates and nano-fertilizers. He has published and co-authored close to 100 scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals and book Chapters. Dr. Monreal has been a member of the Editorial Board for the Canadian Journal of Soil Science, and the Chilean Journal of Agricultural Research. He has participated with the Agricultural Institute of Canada and the Canadian Society of Soil Science in international R&D development projects in Costa Rica; and served as a scientific advisor on agricultural sustainability to the World Bank, and the Federal Government and the Graduate School of Natural Resources of Mexico.

Dr. Monreal has worked for the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) and Research Branch of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). He has been appointed as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Manitoba and Carleton University in Canada, where he supervised a number of undergraduate and graduate students. During his career he has been a recipient of numerous research funding awards. At present, he is the national scientific leader for a multidisciplinary R&D effort to develop Intelligent Nano-Fertilizers, project funded by Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions and AAFC.

Dr. Kenneth Hellevang, North Dakaota State University Extension Service
February 8, 2012 - 1:05 pm - 1:45 pm
February 9, 2012 - 10:35 am - 11:15 am
TOPIC: Grain Dryer Features to Dry Corn Efficiently

Ken has a Ph.D. in Engineering and is a Registered Professional Engineer. As a Professor of Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering at North Dakota State University, he has provided education and technical assistance in crop post-harvest, structures, indoor environmental engineering, mold and moisture problems in structures, flood preparation and recovery, and energy efficiency to professionals and citizens across the United States and internationally since 1980.

He has authored or co-authored more than 150 publications. These include technical papers, proceedings, professional standards, chapters in handbooks, and peer reviewed Extension circulars and bulletins distributed by private business, professional societies, and universities internationally. Ken has served as a grain drying, and grain and vegetable storage-engineering consultant internationally including work as an expert witness.

He has conducted research on numerous grain drying and storage topics including moisture content changes in stored grain during summer, drying and storage of dry edible beans, air temperature increase due to grain drying and aeration fans, and aeration duct design. He has conducted numerous grain dryer energy audits.

He is active in The Society for engineering in agricultural, food, and biological systems having served in numerous leadership roles in the Food and Process Engineering Institute, Meetings Council and on the Board of Trustees that manage the Society with 9,000 members in more than 100 countries. He is also a member of the Grain Elevator and Processing Society.

He and his wife Merna have three children and live in Fargo, ND.

Clarke McGrath, Iowa State University
February 8, 2012 - 1:50 pm - 2:30 pm
February 9, 2012 - 9:15 am - 9:55 am
TOPIC: Twin Rows - The Next Steps in Corn Production

Clarke McGrath is the Field Agronomy Manager for Iowa State University’s Corn and Soybean Initiative.  He and his team of Field Agronomists conduct research and demonstration projects on corn and soybean production and protection issues in cooperation with the Iowa State University College of Ag and Life Sciences faculty and staff and agribusiness partners across Iowa.  He also spent 10 years in retail agronomy as an agronomy/facility manager for a large cooperative in Iowa.  His areas of expertise include corn, soybean and forage production and protection, weed management, soil fertility and precision ag.  Clarke has a BS in Agricultural Business with a specialization in Agronomy and a M. of AGR, both from Iowa State University. 

Dr. R. Sri Ranjan, University of Manitoba
February 9, 2012 - 8:30 am - 9:10 am
TOPIC: Sustainable Water Management in Corn Production Using Tile Drainage/Subirrigation Systems

Dr. Sri Ranjan is a Professor in the Department of Biosystems Engineering with expertise in Soil and Water Engineering, which includes Design of On-farm Water Management Systems, Prevention of Salinization, Agricultural Water Quality Issues, and Remediation of Contaminated Soils and Groundwater. He has developed courses in Design of Water Management Systems and has been teaching Agriculture Degree, Diploma, and Engineering students since 1990. He has been conducting field research on agricultural hydrology, agronomic and environmental benefits of tile drainage/subirrigation. He is the recipient of the 2011 Jim Beamish Award, given by the Canadian Society for Bioengineering, recognizing his outstanding contributions to teaching and research in the area of Soil and Water Engineering. He has given lectures on water management issues at meetings in Canada, USA, China, India, and Bangladesh. . 

Raymond Dyck, Husky Energy
February 9, 2012 - 11:20 pm - 12:00 pm
TOPIC: Husky Ethanol Plants Overview

John Heard , MAFRI
February 9, 2012 - 1:20 pm - 2:20 pm
TOPIC: Fertilizer Additives & Micronutrients to Try on 2012 Corn

John has been Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives soil fertility specialist since 1996. He trained at University of Guelph and Purdue University and worked 9 years with OMAF in extension and research. John is the Chair of MB Soil Fertility Advisory Committee.

John’s current obsession –now that Manitoba has a designated provincial soil, he is on an ongoing safari to collect all the official state soils in the United States. Twelve down – 38 more to go.