Royal Agricultural Winter Fair approaching

Oct 17, 2016

Event takes place November 4 to 13

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

From November 4 to 13, 2016, the 94^th Royal Agricultural Winter Fair takes over Exhibition Place in downtown Toronto.

With indoor equestrian competitions, prize-winning cattle, local agriculture, food and beer, the fair attracts visitors in and outside of agriculture.

"The Royal is a spectacle, a celebration and a stage for competition among the best of what Canada offers the rest of the world," said Charlie Johnstone, chief executive officer of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, in a release. "From Olympic champions who strive for show jumping perfection to farmers who proudly compete to be recognized as the country's best in agriculture, visitors are guaranteed an immersion in a truly amazing, not to mention, fun and educational experience."

Winter Fair

In addition to classic events like rodeo, show jumping and chef challenges, a number of new attractions are being introduced to help enhance the visitor experience.

For music lovers, some of Canada’s newest country acts, including Vanessa Marie Carter, Jesse Gold and Robyn Ottolini, will be on hand as part of the Boots and Hearts Music Festival.

If fine dining is of interest, Canadian celebrity chef Michael Bonacini will host a four-course meal using ingredients from Royal competitors.

Looking to dance the night away? The Colt Walker band will help kick off the first ever Royal Barn Dance in the new Ring of Excellence.

Ticket prices and event schedules can be found on The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair’s website.

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.