Switching the dates for Canada’s Farm Show to March from June is hoped to be the change that does the trick for attendance.
Last year’s announcement was made with the hope more people come to REAL District in Regina to check out Canada’s Farm Show. June is typically when farmers are busy spraying and can’t make it out. There has been a noticeable decline in attendance in recent years and some event-goers expressed doubt as to whether the show would be able to continue.
But organizers are optimistic about how this year’s event will pan out, since it’s being held before the start of seeding. Show Director Carla Vipond noted the trade show has been sold out and heard farmers were looking forward to the three-day show.
“We’re anticipating thousands of farmers are going to be coming through the doors,” said Vipond. “In all of the conversations that we’ve had with farmers, we’re really, really preparing for a really busy, exciting show.”
Vipond says her staff have been busy promoting the event in the months leading up to the start of Canada’s Farm Show.
“Even more so, we’ve had extraordinary partners step up for us and really help through their networks and their farmer conversations in letting everyone know that Canada’s Farm Show is being held in March for the first time in our 48-year history.” added Vipond.
Each day has a theme attached to it. Day one is Farmer Appreciation Day, Day Two is Innovation Day, and Day Three is Young Farmers Day.
The Launch Pad in the Viterra International Trade Centre will be the site of presentations and product launches during the show.
Canada’s Farm Show comes at a time when trade between Canada and it’s largest trading partners – the U.S. and China – are engaged in tit-for-tat tariffs, creating uncertainty in several industries, including agriculture.
There will be a pair of presentations covering the topic – one is called “Elbows Up: U.S. Politics and Canadian Ag” and the other is “Saskatchewan Budget 2025: Impacts and Insights for Agriculture “
Panelists for the Elbows Up discussion include Tina Beaudry-Mellor, Partner with Deloitte and former Saskatchewan Party Cabinet Minister, Grant McLellan, Senior Strategy Advisor for Prairie Sky Energy and former CEO of the Saskatchewan Cattle Association, Levi Wood, a farmer, and moderated by Ed White, Reuters Agriculture Reporter. Its scheduled for Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. from the Launch Pad, Ag-Ex Hall #9.
Panelists for the Saskatchewan Budget discussion will include Beaudry-Mellor, Bill Prybylski, President of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS), Bill Greuel, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, and other industry experts. This discussion will take place Thursday from 9-10 a.m. from the Launch Pad.