2026

Discover what it takes to succeed in the food business, from bold ideas to market-ready products.

This session features real stories from Manitoba entrepreneurs, who will highlight the wins, the setbacks, and the support systems that make a difference.

Panelists will offer a behind-the-scenes look at how they navigated the system, sharing lessons learned, resources used, and opportunities seized.

Join this session to learn about the support available through Manitoba Agriculture and the Food Development Centre.

The applied soybean and pulse agronomy research program was established at the U of M in 2017. Since its inception, Kristen has developed and led over twenty small-plot research projects to improve production practices of soybeans, dry beans and peas in Manitoba cropping systems.

Join Kristen as she shares highlights from research, including the most recent trials looking at post-emergence rolling in soybean and a look at the long-term pea crop rotation study.

Get ready for an authentic boots-on-the-ground conversation as MPSG’s On-Farm Network farmer panel takes the stage to share their firsthand experiences with on-farm research.

These producers aren’t just growing crops, they’re generating data, testing ideas, and driving innovation right from their fields.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to turn your farm into a research hub, this is your chance to learn more about it.

Join Terry as he equips farmers with the tools they need to think critically, evaluate agronomic claims, and become their own best advocates for reliable, high-quality information.

This session will help you separate the “wheat from the chaff” in today’s complex ag landscape.

Join leading voices from the Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada (AMC), Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), and the Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation (AEF) as they explore how cross-industry collaboration is driving innovation and expanding equipment choices for farmers.

This session will introduce the AEF’s work in resolving deep interoperability challenges across brands—highlighting key technologies like ISOBUS, TIM, and the newly launched AgIN (Agricultural Interoperability Network).

AgIN is a secure, farmer-centric cloud-to-cloud data framework designed to support mixed systems and improve compatibility across equipment, software, and services.

Todd Drummond brings a wealth of agricultural experience and deep regional knowledge to his role as Customer Solutions Lead for Brandon Southwest.

Raised on a mixed farm in Lauder, Manitoba, Todd developed a strong connection to farming and rural life early on.

He pursued his passion academically, earning a Bachelor of Agriculture from the University of Manitoba in 1997. Todd began his career in the agricultural retail sector, spending nine years managing a Paterson Grain site in Teulon. In 2006, he joined Bayer, where he has dedicated the past 19 years to serving growers and partners as a sales representative in the same territory—building lasting relationships and delivering consistent value.

Todd lives in Hartney with his wife Melissa and their two children. Outside of work, he enjoys hunting, fishing, hockey, and camping—activities that reflect his love for the outdoors and community.

Kristen Phillips

Brittany Cousins

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