REGINA – Times are changing for Regina’s Western Canada Farm Progress Show, but for exhibitors and show organizers the changes are expected.
Show manager Roxanne Carr said the show reflects what is happening in agriculture.
“Fewer farmers with greater holdings. They need bigger and more efficient equipment and new technology. As a result we see those farmers and trends toward bigger tools at this show,” she said.
Show organizers said the mergers and acquisitions of farm equipment companies have resulted in fewer individual booths but overall greater demands for space.
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The event saw about 700 exhibitors and nearly 40,000 people enter the grounds during its three-day run June 18-20.
“We don’t measure success in attendance figures, but it was up this year,” Carr said.
The show expanded its livestock section and some animal handling equipment was sold out in the first two days.
“Cypress Industries out of Manitoba, they sold out, and others in that area (livestock handling) were pretty happy as well,” she said.
New Holland has made this one of its national shows. Allen Ryder, head of New Holland North America’s agriculture business section, said the show is one of the best in the world.
International attendance was down slightly to 220 people from 20 different countries.
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy, severe acute respiratory syndrome and the war in Iraq kept foreign buyers away.
“We’re not concerned the number is lower. We know there’s good business going on,” Carr said.
Don Chatwin, a show organizer, said the event offered exhibitors a chance to renew their space one year ahead. Normally, they do this in the fall.
Carr said there was “enthusiastic uptake” on the offer.
Show chair Bill Gilmour said there could be more equipment on the grounds.
Today, people order equipment rather than buying off lots.
The show expanded its home improvements offerings and its shopping shuttles to Regina’s shopping districts and malls.
The shuttles carried more than 1,000 people around the city compared to 300 last year, Carr said.
The crowds caused parking problems with some parking lots full by 10:30 a.m.
Next year, organizers have agreements with two larger malls on the north and south ends of the city to provide 1,000 spaces each for parking with the event providing transportation from there.
