2023 AG Expo and North American Seed Fair in full swing at Exhibition Park

Attendees can explore the south, north and main pavilions to see the latest farming equipment on Machinery Row, speak with exhibitors launching new industry technology, connect with major producers and marketers of crops and livestock, and browse one of the oldest seed fairs in Western Canada.

According to Warkentin, about 15 per cent of exhibitors are new to the show this year, and bring in a range of large-scale equipment and agriculture-based technology.

“We have exhibitors here from seven different provinces, we have exhibitors from all over the United States and so that innovation, that tech and what’s happening here in agriculture really is world-leading,” Warkentin said.

Tractors and plows on Machinery Row outside the main pavilion at Exhibition Park. (Photo: S Jones | LNN | March 1, 2023)

Dave Fiddler, show director for AG Expo 2023, explained, “You’ll see everything from drones to robotic milking machines to precision agriculture planting, technology like you’ve never seen before. For example, there’s technologies that can spot different weeds in the field and apply different chemicals as pertained to the exact weeds that they need to kill, not just a generic spray that kills everything, it’s a very advanced technology in terms of that regard.”

Fiddler continued “The other thing the show provides is an opportunity to comparison shop. Many of the products here are similar or alike in a lot of ways, and so they come, they can make a decision based on this product, but this company has this option, the other one had this option, which one best suits me? Whether that be price or some of the attributes of it that makes it a better product for individual farmers, but they get to compare and shop.”

2023 AG EXPO and Seed Fair in full swing at Exhibition Park from February 28 to March 2, 2023. (Photo: S Jones | LNN | March 1, 2023)

Fiddler also pointed out that this show takes place just before planting season, so for many farmers, last-minute decisions are made at the show before their crops go into the ground.

Attendance numbers have not been released so far, but Fiddler said a few exhibitors are indicating they have already sold more in a single day on February 28, than they did in all of last year’s show.

Fiddler continued, “These shows not only provide opportunities to learn and access the latest technologies, but it’s a social gathering place too. You’ll see everyone stopping and talking saying, ‘Hey I haven’t seen you since fall’, but they do a lot of socializing, a lot of exchanging of ideas, and I think it’s an important part of the social fabric of the real communities to gather.”

Exhibitors gearing up for day two of the 2023 AG EXPO and North American Seed Fair. (Photo: S Jones | LNN | March 1, 2023)

This year’s AG Expo also highlights a speaker series with guests talking about sustainable food production, optimizing irrigation efficiency, and how businesses may be eligible for grants upwards of $100,000 dollars.

In 2024, the AG Expo and North American Seed Fair will move into the new Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre, which is currently under construction, and is anticipated to bring in more vendors and visitors as the show continues to grow each year.

Those interested in tickets or learning more about the 2023 AG Expo and North American Seed Fair can visit the Lethbridge & District Exhibition website for more information.

Read more at LethbridgeNewsNow.com

by Sarah Jones

2023 AG Expo and North American Seed Fair in full swing at Exhibition Park

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