Sign Up for the Equine Export Preparedness Seminars in Guelph and Kemptville Ontario in March

News

Ottawa, Ontario — The locations and dates of the next two Equine Canada Export Preparedness Seminars have been established for the month of March, following the first in the series that was held in Montreal, QC, in February during Equine Canada’s Annual Convention. Additional seminars will be held across Canada throughout the year.

On Saturday, March 27, 2010, an equine export preparedness seminar will be held at the Gencor Head Office, Fire Route # 5653, HWY # 6, Guelph, ON, N1H 6J2, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
On Sunday, March 28, 2010, the third export preparedness seminar in the series will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Kemptville College Campus in the A.M. Barr Arena classroom, 830 Prescott Street, Kemptville, ON, K0G 1J0.

The seminars will explore topics such as an overview of the challenges and opportunities in new and traditional target markets, equine import and export history in these markets and Canada’s relationship with them, what the Semex Alliance can do for Canadian horse breeders, procedures and case studies for shipping horses and genetics to other countries, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s “Canada Brand” and its value proposition, and the Equine Canada Industry Division as an export marketing partner for trade shows and trade missions.

“Canadian horse breeders have faced additional challenges in the past several years due to the worldwide economic downturn. These challenges remind us that we must continually find ways to expand trade beyond our existing client base in our traditional markets,” said Susan Stewart, the Equine Canada coordinator for export market development. “By exploring new methods and new target markets, we set the stage to increase the export of Canadian-bred horses and Canadian equine genetics in the future.”

The seminars are open to everyone. Advanced registration is required. The cost for each seminar is $55 per person and includes lunch and the seminar booklet. In addition, participants will be reimbursed 50% of their travel costs to attend the seminar through a cost-sharing program under the Equine Canada Export Market Development Strategy that is funded, in part, by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s AgriMarketing Program.

A member of the Semex Alliance, Gencor is a farmer-directed artificial insemination cooperative located in South-western Ontario, and the distributer of INRA Freeze, today’s most advanced semen freezing technology.

The University of Guelph’s Kemptville College campus offers the only Bachelor degree in Bio-Resource Management, majoring in Equine Management, in Canada. Kemptville College also offers courses for riding, coaching, horsemanship and horse industry technician certificates and more.

Advanced registration is required. For more information or to enroll, contact seminar organizers:
Barbara Daley at barb@equineconcepts.com or (905) 726-2057
Susan Stewart at sstewart@equinecanada.ca or (613) 286-9394

This initiative is partially funded by the Agri-Marketing Program of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and is in support of Canada Brand for food and agriculture.

SPEAKER OVERVIEW
What the National Equine Industry Looks Like and How It Measures Up Internationally
Speaker: Susan Stewart, Equine Canada Coordinator, Export Market Development
As the coordinator of the Equine Canada Export Market Development Strategy, Susan will provide an overview of target markets and opportunities for export development in 2010 through 2013 that will strengthen our position as international exporters of horses, ponies, donkeys and mules, and equine genetics. The first steps in marketing are to review the resources available and to understand target markets.

INRA Freeze — Today’s Most Advanced Semen Freezing Technology
Speaker: John Wiebe, MSc., Gencor IMV Business Development Manager
Find out about breakthroughs in equine semen freezing technologies available to Canadian breeders and how they can affect the export of equine semen from Canada. Also discover how an alliance for cattle semen producers can strengthen the equine offering.

Exporting Horses and Genetics; What You Need to Know
Speaker: TBD
Get an overview of the processes and protocols of exporting horses or genetics to a selection of target countries, plus find out how to stay up-to-date on the continually changing criteria.

Shipping from Canada is Cost Effective for Many Countries
Speaker: TBD
Explore a number of case studies for shipping a horse from its Canadian home to the foreign buyer. See the steps involved and exactly how much would one expect to pay in today’s market.

Canada Brand
Speaker: Barbara Daley, Equine Concepts
As participants in the agricultural industry, breeders of Canadian horses can take advantage of the collective marketing approach of the “Canada Brand,” developed by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Find out what your obligations are to market under this program. Barbara will review the value proposition and discuss how this relates specifically to the equine industry and the Equine Canada Export Market Development Strategy brand.

Equine Canada Industry Division as Export Marketing Partners
Speaker: Susan Stewart, Equine Canada Coordinator, Export Market Development
See how the Equine Canada Export Market Development Strategy will unfold with upcoming missions and trade shows in 2010 through 2013, and review the current status of the export marketing branding and awareness programs. See how they lay the foundation for future trade and find out how you can participate in them.