Canada’s Farm Progress Show wrapped up three soggy days June 20 with strong domestic and international attendance.
Final figures weren’t available, but opening day saw a 20 percent increase year over year and the second day was also up slightly year over year.
The rain kept farmers off their fields and able to attend the show, while notable guests included Canada’s ambassadors to Iraq, Jordan and Kazakhstan, and a strong German contingent.
The international component has always been important to the show’s success. Many deals are made based on meetings during the three-day show.
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Saskatchewan agriculture minister Lyle Stewart kicked off the event with the announcement of a new five-year funding agreement.
The province will contribute $25,000 each year, up from $20,000 in the previous agreement, to help the show expand and attract more visitors.
“I think the sales numbers compared to the relatively modest help that we give the show really speaks for itself,” Stewart said.
The show generates more than $500 million in annual sales of farm machinery and products.
Economy minister Bill Boyd said the show’s impact on the provincial economy is impressive.
“$501 million worth of farming implements are exported from Saskatchewan on an annual basis,” he said.
“Fifty countries from around the world are represented here. This is a key show for our province.”
Viterra announced it would continue as the show’s title sponsor, but did not provide financial details.
At the official opening, Gavin Semple, chair of the Brandt Group of Companies, was inducted into the new Saskatchewan Manufacturing Council hall of fame.
As well, the Innovation Award winners were recognized.
Gold winners in 2014 were Power Pin Inc. for its new on-road hitching system for farm trucks moving farm equipment and Intragrain Technologies Inc. for its Bin Sense fan control.
Sterling winners were: Clean Seed Capital Group for its 60-foot drill, the CX-6 Smart Seeder; EZlid for EZlid; Sulvaris Inc. for Vitasul; Sunnybrook Welding and Machine Shop Ltd. for its New Holland CR Tri-Frame Concave; Agtron Enterprises Inc. for The Legend; and AGI-Ag Growth International for the Gulp.
The construction of Regina’s new football stadium resulted in a new display configuration this year. Several older buildings at Evraz Place were demolished to make way for the sports facility, which will take two years to build.
The work also displaced 250 parking spots.
A shuttle service from a nearby park got off to a bit of a shaky start opening day, but by the end of the day was said to be running smoothly. There were an estimated 1,000 cars in that lot, organizers said.
Meanwhile, weather conditions forced the cancellation of the antique tractor pulls.
