ISLANDS AGRICULTURE SHOW 2025
Cowichan Exhibition Park, Duncan, B.C.
About Event
The conference sessions at the Islands Agriculture Show provide producers the opportunity to get the latest information on research, farming practices, and market opportunities from some of the industry's most knowledgeable experts.
The 2025 conference will include sessions on the following topics:
- Water Management
- Business and Succession Planning
- Soil Health
- Weed and Pest Management
The Islands Agriculture Show is delivered in partnership between the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food together with the Islands Agriculture Show Society. Funding for the conference sessions is provided in part by the governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
Read moreAgenda
09:15
Welcome and Opening Remarks
BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food
BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food
09:30
Agriculture and Community Approaches to Water Management in BC
Dr. Chris Bodnar
Assistant Professor, Agriculture, University of the Fraser Valley
Dr. Chris Bodnar
Assistant Professor, Agriculture, University of the Fraser Valley
Assistant Professor, Agriculture, University of the Fraser Valley
Water is a hot topic in BC as growers confront a new regulatory system around water use. A severe drought brought the new system and its limitations to the attention of many growers faster than many anticipated. This presentation will discuss how the agricultural sector can be a leader in water management by engaging our communities across the province.
10:30
Soil Moisture Essentials: How can soil-water dynamics help guide irrigation decisions
Effective agricultural water management ensures that soil moisture aligns with crop demand. How do soil characteristics, crop stages, and weather dynamics impact soil moisture availability for planning healthy, high-quality harvests?
10:30
2025 BC Potato Variety Trial Highlights
There is a bewildering variety of fresh market potato varieties available and under development. Annual variety trialing enables us to observe effects of growing conditions such as changing heat trends in the summer.
10:50
New Tools to Improve the Timeliness of Nutrient & Water Management in Potatoes
Hear about real-time tissue analysis and soil moisture sensors that help producers meet the growing needs of the crop during the growing season. What have we learned so far about how this can work for the industry?
11:00
Measuring Soil Moisture: Tools and Techniques for Precision Irrigation
Dive into soil moisture, crop needs, and strategies for agricultural water management. Southern Irrigation will share practical insights into systems and sensors, strategic installation, how to interpret data to support precise irrigation decision-making, and more!
11:25
Blemishes of Potatoes – Management to Prevent the Scarring…**
Blemish diseases such as scab, silver scurf and black dot have been issues in table potatoes for some time. Some are newer than others, but all require understanding of the biology and management. Hear more about management tools and advice helpful to growers from a teacher, researcher and extension agent for the potato sector.
11:30
Irrigation Scheduling 101
The discussion will review fundamentals which comprise determining a crop's irrigation requirements, then utilize this information to develop a custom irrigation system schedule. The presentation will include use of tools available such as the Agriculture Irrigation Scheduling Calculator.
09:15
Welcome and Opening Remarks
09:30
Innovation: On-Farm Technology Adoption Panel
Bryan Wattie
Bryan Wattie
Director of Agritech Adoption, Innovate BC
Chris Bodnar
Chris Bodnar
Owner, Close-to-Home Organics
Michel Van Eekelen
company name
Michel Van Eekelen
company name
Partner, Van Eekelen Enterprises
Andrew Budgell
Andrew Budgell
Owner, Laughing Cow Organics
Raj Hayre
Director of Special Projects, Randhawa Farms
Raj Hayre
Director of Special Projects, Randhawa Farms
Director of Special Projects, Randhawa Farms
Listen to the experiences in adopting technology directly from farmers.
10:15
Morning Break
10:30
Empowering B.C.’s Farms: the AI Advantage in Agriculture - Panel
Explore real-world examples of how farmers in B.C. are using AI to solve everyday challenges, improve efficiency, and transform farm operations today.
11:15
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Strategies for Thrips in Greenhouse Ornamentals**
Thrips pose a significant challenge across a wide range of crops, especially in greenhouse environments, where management can be complicated by insecticide resistance and the introduction of new species. This presentation will explore the biology of thrips, with an emphasis on effective management tactics, including the latest insecticide options and the integration of biocontrol agents for sustainable pest control.
Speakers
Raj Hayre
Director of Special Projects, Randhawa Farms
READ BIORaj Hayre
Director of Special Projects, Randhawa Farms
Director of Special Projects, Randhawa Farms
Michel Van Eekelen
company name
READ BIOMichel Van Eekelen
company name
Partner, Van Eekelen Enterprises
Dr. Chris Bodnar
Assistant Professor, Agriculture, University of the Fraser Valley
READ BIODr. Chris Bodnar
Assistant Professor, Agriculture, University of the Fraser Valley
Assistant Professor, Agriculture, University of the Fraser Valley
Event Sponsors
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Agenda
Agenda
January 24, 2025 09:30 am
Innovation: On-Farm Technology Adoption Panel
Bryan Wattie
Bryan Wattie
Director of Agritech Adoption, Innovate BC
Chris Bodnar
Chris Bodnar
Owner, Close-to-Home Organics
Michel Van Eekelen
company name
Michel Van Eekelen
Partner, Van Eekelen Enterprises
Andrew Budgell
Andrew Budgell
Owner, Laughing Cow Organics
Raj Hayre
Director of Special Projects, Randhawa Farms
Raj Hayre
Director of Special Projects, Randhawa Farms
Listen to the experiences in adopting technology directly from farmers.
January 24, 2025 10:15 am
Morning Break
January 23, 2025 10:30 am
Soil Moisture Essentials: How can soil-water dynamics help guide irrigation decisions
Effective agricultural water management ensures that soil moisture aligns with crop demand. How do soil characteristics, crop stages, and weather dynamics impact soil moisture availability for planning healthy, high-quality harvests?
January 23, 2025 11:00 am
Measuring Soil Moisture: Tools and Techniques for Precision Irrigation
Dive into soil moisture, crop needs, and strategies for agricultural water management. Southern Irrigation will share practical insights into systems and sensors, strategic installation, how to interpret data to support precise irrigation decision-making, and more!
January 23, 2025 11:30 am
Irrigation Scheduling 101
The discussion will review fundamentals which comprise determining a crop's irrigation requirements, then utilize this information to develop a custom irrigation system schedule. The presentation will include use of tools available such as the Agriculture Irrigation Scheduling Calculator.
January 23, 2025 10:50 am
New Tools to Improve the Timeliness of Nutrient & Water Management in Potatoes
Hear about real-time tissue analysis and soil moisture sensors that help producers meet the growing needs of the crop during the growing season. What have we learned so far about how this can work for the industry?
January 24, 2025 10:30 am
Empowering B.C.’s Farms: the AI Advantage in Agriculture - Panel
Explore real-world examples of how farmers in B.C. are using AI to solve everyday challenges, improve efficiency, and transform farm operations today.
January 24, 2025 11:15 am
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Strategies for Thrips in Greenhouse Ornamentals**
Thrips pose a significant challenge across a wide range of crops, especially in greenhouse environments, where management can be complicated by insecticide resistance and the introduction of new species. This presentation will explore the biology of thrips, with an emphasis on effective management tactics, including the latest insecticide options and the integration of biocontrol agents for sustainable pest control.
January 23, 2025 11:25 am
Blemishes of Potatoes – Management to Prevent the Scarring…**
Blemish diseases such as scab, silver scurf and black dot have been issues in table potatoes for some time. Some are newer than others, but all require understanding of the biology and management. Hear more about management tools and advice helpful to growers from a teacher, researcher and extension agent for the potato sector.
January 23, 2025 10:30 am
2025 BC Potato Variety Trial Highlights
There is a bewildering variety of fresh market potato varieties available and under development. Annual variety trialing enables us to observe effects of growing conditions such as changing heat trends in the summer.
January 23, 2025 09:30 am
Agriculture and Community Approaches to Water Management in BC
Dr. Chris Bodnar
Assistant Professor, Agriculture, University of the Fraser Valley
Dr. Chris Bodnar
Assistant Professor, Agriculture, University of the Fraser Valley
Water is a hot topic in BC as growers confront a new regulatory system around water use. A severe drought brought the new system and its limitations to the attention of many growers faster than many anticipated. This presentation will discuss how the agricultural sector can be a leader in water management by engaging our communities across the province.
January 23, 2025 09:15 am
Welcome and Opening Remarks
BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food
BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Questions?
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