Manager Rob O’Connor thought the Western Canada Farm Progress Show would be a winner even before it officially began.More companies were exhibiting, more international guests had registered and the show had the use of six new indoor arenas at Regina’s Evraz Place.Some thought otherwise, guessing that this spring’s rainy weather, delayed seeding and the general mood of farmers would keep people at home.The evidence was clear by the time the show was over: it had established a new attendance record of 45,827, up from the 2007 record of 43,835.Although the opening on June 16 was quiet because of rainy weather, the next two days set records. June 17 saw the highest single day attendance at more than 20,000 people and June 18 was the highest Friday on record at 15,627.“I do really appreciate the farmers who still took the time, who felt the show was valuable enough, to be able to come here,” O’Connor said.The show also measures success in sales, and O’Connor said that became evident before the show started.A member of the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP) pulled him aside at the international reception before the opening day and pointed out a young man from Kazakhstan.The man owns 235,000 acres and had arrived at the show on his own, without the special funding that many other visitors use to attend.“That night he had already purchased 50 headers,” O’Connor said. “That’s probably between a $4 and $5 million deal before the show was officially open.”More than 600 international visitors attended this year’s show.Dennis Bulani, president of Rack Petroleum at Biggar, Sask., exhibited the best new invention.The company’s bulk glyphosate handling system debuted this spring.The people’s choice award in the new invention display went to Mumby Manufacturing for its Easy-Guide trailer couplers. The invention won the judges’ award at last year’s show.Inventions are eligible to display in the new category for two years.
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