See it all first hand at COFS

Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show is the place where agriculture equipment and technology come alive, providing an unparalleled ability to watch demonstrations and try out items that can be useful on the farm.

In 2022, there will be several new demonstrations to see and experience. The skid steer ride-and-drive is returning to the show after several years and will give visitors the chance to try the versatile machines on a course. Skid steers have become all-around farm use vehicles, with increasing bucket and even boom add-on options. 

Watch for the JCB Teleskid, an industry exclusive and the world’s only telescoping skid steer and compact track loader.

Large round and square bales of straw often need to be ground up for farm use. The evolution to use of straw in dairy rations has led to the need for a more precise ability to shred those bales to certain lengths. Farmers also continue to grind straw bales for use in bedding.

There are new options to help those processes. Watch for the Kubota BC1300 PRO to showcase its straw bale processing capabilities at the show.

Rural areas have become used to increased traffic in the air at certain times of year because aerial spraying has increased in Ontario. Great Lakes Helicopter will bring its flying and application expertise to the show for a demonstration.

In the highly popular demonstration fields, the main focus in 2022 will be on corn stalk tillage and wheat planting. More than 20 companies are taking part and will demonstrate their equipment side by side, enabling immediate evaluation by farmers.

Livestock demonstrations return to Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show. Davon Sales will demonstrate Hi-Hog, and Brussels Agri Services will show Arrowquip equipment handling with live cattle. Brussels Agri Services and Gallagher will also demonstrate rotational grazing.

For sheep farmers, Huber Ag Equipment and Te Pari Products will both have live demonstrations of their sheep handling equipment.

In Livestock Central, producers can get close to new technology in the dairy, beef, goat and sheep industries, and can speak to the manufacturers of products like nutritional supplements, specialty feed, animal health, fencing and pasture supplies.

Other demonstrations will include spraying equipment, combine settings and nine companies will show off woodlot technologies.

Watch for the Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show Innovations Program, presented by Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. It reflects the exciting growth in agricultural innovation, with companies competing for the top award in each of the following categories: agronomics, livestock, equipment, business solutions, environmental sustainability and emerging innovator.  

The 2022 regional finalists for the Ontario Outstanding Young Farmer program will participate in an invitation-only event at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show where finalists present to the judges for their chance to represent their region at the national Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers Program recognition event. 

Other events happening during the show include: 

• A new OMAFRA invitational AgTech Breakfast for agriculture technology entrepreneurs, key stakeholders and farmers on Wednesday, Sept. 14.
• Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association Crop Farmers Breakfast on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings, by invitation only.
• VIP Dairy Producers Brunch on Thursday, Sept. 15, also by-invitation only.