Mark Webber with Einböck shows off the company's autonomous seeder and weeder at Ag Expo. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Innovations & big machines on display at Lethbridge Ag Expo

Feb 27, 2025 | 12:45 PM

Among the 300+ vendors at Ag Expo in Lethbridge are several that are pushing the boundaries of technology.

The event, running February 26-28, 2025 at the Agri-food Hub and Trade Centre, brings together farmers, equipment manufacturers, salespeople, marketers, researchers and much more.

LNN spoke with a few of the vendors to learn about the latest and greatest happenings in the world of agriculture.

Autonomous Seeder and Weeder

Ontario-based Einböck is working to make farming more efficient and hands-off.

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: February 10-16, 2025

Feb 10, 2025

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: January 29-February 2, 2025

Jan 29, 2025

Western Canadian Rep Mark Webber is showing off what he says is the “world’s first autonomous seeder and weeder,” shown in the image at the top of this article.

He says the FarmDroid FD20 uses GPS and other technology to plant crops, working on its own for the entire summer.

“Being that it runs off solar and battery power, there’s no fuel going into these. One, you’re using no chemicals because it’s mechanically weeding everything – no fuel,” says Webber. “With the precision seeders, you’re actually putting down less seed so you’re saving money on your seed.”

Webber adds that farmers can simply boot the machine up and go do something else.

Twin Bean Combine

PGS Equipment Sales and Service Manager Frank Michielsen brought a Twin Master Bean Combine all the way from Brazil for Ag Expo.

He says their machine has greatly reduced the risk of damaging beans when they are being harvested compared to traditional combines.

Michielsen says southern Alberta is known for its specialty crops, and with the demand for beans growing, it was worth moving such a large machine across continents.

Frank Michielsen with PGS Equipment shows off their Twin Master Bean Combine at Ag Expo. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

Vanee Farm Centre

The title sponsor of the Ag Expo, Vanee Farm Centre did not hold back with this year’s display.

Sales Manager Michael Vas says he brought combines, high-clearance sprayers, and four-wheel drive tractors, all of which towered above those in attendance.

Vas told media that Ag Expo is a big deal for those in agriculture to connect with clients, so they jumped at the opportunity to sponsor the event.

“We always take Ag Expo as a massive opportunity to connect with everybody, whether they’re local, overseas, out-of-country. Events like this just help build that ag industry and let it grow,” says Vas.

Vas says those in the agriculture sector are feeling optimistic heading into 2025.

“Everybody’s very positive right now. Conditions are nice down here for us – you know, the cold weather’s broke and things are drying up. In a month, we could be seeing some seeding action and whatnot, but overall, it’s very positive,” Vas adds.

Some of the big machines Vanee Farm Centre brought to Ag Expo. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

Some of the big machines Vanee Farm Centre brought to Ag Expo. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

Tickets to Ag Expo can be purchased online at AgriFoodHub.ca

More details on the event, including this year’s new additions, can be found in the article below.

READ MORE: Lethbridge Ag Expo features over 300 vendors

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the Lethbridge News Now newsletter here. You can also download the Lethbridge News Now mobile app in the Google Play and the Apple App Stores.