Farmers from around the region gathered in Kindersley for a special presentation ahead of the growing season.

Grain market specialist Brian Voth shared his knowledge and expertise with members from Farm Credit Canada (FCC) for guests Wednesday morning at the Kindersley Inn. Residents braved the cold as the large room was nearly full for Voth's three and a half hour presentation.

Overall, he was happy with the reception from the crowd.

"After a while, [the audience] started to warm up and ask some questions, and we got into some different discussions," said Voth. "I think that's where the value is because they are getting answers to questions and that may prompt other questions from other people."

His presentation named 'The Seven Deadly(ish) Sins of Grain Marketing' encompasses around teaching farmers how to come up with a better marketing plan for their respective farms. "It applies to grain marketing every year, no matter what the scenerio," explained Voth. "We're going through the mistakes that farmers typically make, and how they can avoid them."

Farmers who had difficulty with their crop due to abnormal whether last year will be looking for better luck this year. Voth believes his presentations not only give farmers some different ideas and perspectives, but they give hope heading into the new growing season. "What we try and get farmers to not get hung up on is the hangover effect from the previous year," said Voth. "We don't want what happened in 2016 to impact their marketing decisions for 2017."

He added how 2016 was not the norm for weather and grain crops, and how farmers need to focus on long-term averages.

As for his tips for farmers in 2017, here is what he had to say: