SASKATOON — A colleague of mine said something that resonated with me at the recent Ag in Motion 2025 farm show.
Fellow Western Producer reporter Robert Arnason came up with the little gem as we strolled around the expansive AIM property near Langham, 15 minutes northwest of Saskatoon.
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Arnason mentioned that the magnitude of the show, with its 31,000 attendees and more than 600 exhibitors, reminded him that we are writing stories about an important and thriving industry.
Sometimes you forget about the scope and economic clout of the agriculture sector when you’re sitting at home in your tiny office with a couple of dogs licking your toes.
It is therapeutic to close the laptop, put the cellphone away in your pocket and wander around the show grounds, just taking in the impressive sights such as K-Hart Industries’ sprawling Spyder drill.
It’s a reminder that there is big money in farming and that a news story that might provide a useful nugget of information to farmers or agri-businesses is a worthwhile endeavor.
I was also struck by the Herculean effort it takes to put on a show like AIM, which is owned by the Western Producer’s parent company, Glacier FarmMedia.
The amount of people required to co-ordinate parking alone is mind-boggling.
Hats off to show director Rob O’Connor and his team of 60 staff and more than 100 volunteers for all they do to welcome about 31,000 visitors a year and ensure everything runs safely and smoothly.
Some of the statistics are staggering.
There are 150 tents and 120 portable washrooms to be maintained.
There are 120 golf carts to help ferry people around the 610-acre site. I can attest they are a godsend when you have interviews scheduled all over the grounds.
AIM has more than 25 food vendors, and when you’re done eating, you can dispose of your refuse in 130 garbage bins and 130 recycling cans scattered around the site.
I think you get the point — it is a big show designed to showcase a vital western Canadian industry.
I have attended the Commodity Classic show since 2007. It is the annual gathering of American corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum growers.
It is a massive event that attracted 11,395 attendees and 433 exhibitors in 2025. I usually spend a little time wandering around the trade show floor marveling at the gigantic machinery.
I never imagined there would be a show rivalling that one in my own backyard.
For us reporters, AIM is a good reminder that we are writing about a vibrant industry that is an economic driver for Western Canada.
