Ag in Motion opens tenth show

Under a clear sky, Rob O’Connor, Ag in Motion show director, welcomed exhibitors and attendees to the tenth annual installation of the show this morning near Langham, Sask.

This year features 607 exhibitors, the highest number ever, and an expected attendance of 30,000 people — more than double the attendance of the first show in 2014, which had 12,000 people through the gates.

“At Ag in Motion, we really celebrate all the different companies that come and take part to be at the show with the farmers who use their products to grow great with crops in the field, and great livestock to sell and to help feed the world,” said O’Connor.

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Ten years ago, an outdoor farm show in the middle of what was an empty field felt like a pipe dream to others in the industry. Danielle Maynard, executive vice president, commercial of Glacier Farm Media (GFM), shared her initial doubt when she heard about while working for another agriculture firm.

“Initially, my instinct after having participated at an outdoor farm show in eastern Canada for many years, was I don’t believe it,” she said. “That’s BS. I don’t think they can do it. Well, you have done it and you have not only done it, but you’ve done it for 10 years.”

O’Connor shared that the dream was realized nearly 11 years ago at a meeting with Bob Wilcox, the president of GFM, at a restaurant in Manitoba. After sitting and discussing for a few hours, the show was a go. The first group O’Connor approached to be a part of the show was Agricultural Manufacturer’s of Canada (AMC), who are a big part of this year’s show.

The welcome included the launch of AMC’s mobile skills lab which has been in development for two years, said AMC President Donna Boyd. The lab includes virtual reality and experiential learning which will travel across Saskatchewan to showcase agriculture career skills for those new to ag and those who want to advance their skills in technology. The lab kicks off the Careers in Ag initiative from AMC, both of which are in part funded by the Government of Saskatchewan.

David Marit, the province’s agriculture minister, expressed his excitement of the lab and of the showcasing of agriculture that Ag in Motion provides, saying they’re great opportunities for young people to discover the agriculture industry. He also noted the increase of size and international recognition of the show, that it’s tripled in size since its conception and bringing in guests from nearly every continent.

“Thank you so much for everything you’ve done to bring the ag sector and all the new technology that’s happening right here in this province showcased to the world,” he said. “You can tell by the crowd already that it is an overwhelming success in the ag sector, and Saskatchewan can be very proud of the ag manufacturing that’s here.”

The showcase of the ag sector goes further than manufacturing though, with speakers, demonstrations, and livestock events.