Open to: All - BCIA Registrants and Public Welcome! You must set up a BCIA account to register.

This event is supported by the BC Climate Agri-Solutions Fund (BCCAF). Funding for the BCCAF has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Agricultural Climate Solutions – On-Farm Climate Action Fund. BCCAF is delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation. To learn more, visit www.bccaf.ca

Join Ryan Comeau, PAg, and Keegan Miller for an informative and hands-on BCCAF & BCIA Event Collaboration: Forage and Cover Crop Workshop. This engaging workshop will dive deep into the world of cover cropping and forage management, offering participants valuable insights into sustainable agricultural practices.

The day will begin with coffee, tea, and delicious local baked goods as Ryan Comeau, PAg, kicks things off with introductions and an overview of the workshop. Ryan will set the stage for a day of learning and exploration focused on soil health and crop management.

Keegan Miller will then take the lead, presenting on Covers and Co's full-season cover crop, featuring an impressive 15 species blend such as Hairy Vetch, Italian Rye Grass, Berseem Clover, Purple Top Turnip, Spring Tritcale, Forage Peas, Sorghum Sudan, Sunflower, Forage Oats, Yellow Peas, German Millet, Non GMO F. Soybeans, Daikon Radish, Forage Barley, Flax, and Buckweat. During this interactive session, Keegan will guide participants through key topics, including:

• Seed Selection & Soil Building: Understand the importance of selecting the right seeds for cover cropping to enhance soil structure, fertility, and biodiversity. We'll cover seed variety selection, fertility management, and the use of companion crops like cereals to improve yields. Learn how integrating diverse species in your cover crop mix can optimize soil health and boost productivity.
• Reseeding Alfalfa Best Practices: Discover optimal seed rates, timing, and best practices for reseeding alfalfa. We’ll discuss fertility expectations, yield potential, and how to incorporate alfalfa with a cereal companion crop to maximize growth. Minimum tillage methods will also be explored, along with their ideal applications.
• Multi-Species Environment: Explore how plants like alfalfa form symbiotic relationships with rhizobium bacteria, mycorrhizal fungi, and other soil micro-organisms, improving nutrient cycling, soil health, and crop growth. We'll dive into the benefits of a full-season cover crop mix, its plant diversity, grazing potential, and timing for planting and harvest. Participants can observe how these crops compare with older hay stands, which typically require more fertilizer but yield less.

Throughout the workshop, you’ll have the opportunity to get hands-on with the cover crops, discussing how to implement these practices effectively on your own land. This is an excellent chance to expand your knowledge on sustainable farming techniques and network with fellow Agrologists and industry professionals. Please make sure that you are dressed for the weather and have appropriate footwear. There are also no washroom facilities on site for the duration of the tour.

Ryan Comeau, PAg, is a Crop Consultant at Purity Feed in Kamloops, BC. With a strong background in crop inputs and nutrient management, Ryan has worked extensively with ranching operations across the interior of BC. His expertise spans from seed selection to integrated pest management. Ryan has a deep understanding of BC agriculture, specializing in sustainable practices such as cover cropping, seed establishment, and nitrogen management. A dynamic speaker and problem solver, Ryan is passionate about helping ranchers optimize their operations and is actively involved in climate action initiatives.

Keegan Miller is the Territory Manager for Covers & Co in Alberta. Growing up in a family of agricultural producers in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Keegan was exposed to diverse farming practices early on. After studying agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan, he spent 14 years in the oil and gas sector before returning to his agricultural roots. In 2016, Keegan and his wife started their own farm, expanding into a successful farm-to-table venture supplying quality beef, pork, and chicken to their local community. His passion for regenerative agriculture and sustainable farming practices led him to join Covers & Co in 2023, where he now helps other farmers in Alberta improve soil health and maximize production.

Map for the site:

Please note that photographs and footage will be taken throughout the tour. These will be used by BCIA for marketing and publicity in our publications, on our website, newsletters, and on social media. Should you not wish to have your photo taken and used for these purposes, please advise the photographer at the time.

If you have food intolerances or allergies, please advise us when you register. If your allergy is anaphylactic, ensure you inform us and bring your EpiPen.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your forage and cover crop expertise—register today!