Ag Days focusing on innovation
Matthias Chevalier, 10, tries out a virtual-reality simulation at the Farmers Edge booth as his younger brother Lucas looks on during last year’s Manitoba Ag Days. (File)
Manitoba Ag Days is officially one week away.
The agricultural industry trade show will have a special focus this year on technology and innovation in agriculture to reflect the start of the 2020s, according to Andrea Guthrie, the show’s media co-ordinator.
“Certainly there is a lot of tech advancements that help us on a daily basis, and kind of looking back to see how agriculture has changed and how it has changed in a positive way with all the tech innovations that have come out,” she said, adding that technology like autonomous seeders and drones will be showcased at this year’s exposition.
The Innovation Showcase has also been revamped this year to give all exhibitors equal chance to show off their respective innovations. The categories in this year’s showcase are agronomics, farm safety, agribusiness services, agriculture equipment, animal and livestock, ag tech and farm-built solutions.
At last year’s event, Amazone/Mid-Plains Implements took home the gold medal for their SmartService 4.0, which uses virtual reality and augmented reality to enhance mechanical training.
The showcase contestants will be identified with signs on their booths throughout the show. The winners for best innovation in each of the contest’s seven categories will be announced on Jan. 22.
The harvest in 2019 was tough for many producers and Guthrie said many of the sessions are focused on that and what is affecting farmers. She said many speakers hone in on the issues that hit farmers last year.
“We want everyone to experience and feel agriculture like we do every day, so Brandon being where it’s located and certainly lot of our industry is focused on agriculture, we want to give everyone the opportunity to see it,” Guthrie said.
She said the event this year will have 60 speakers on topics such as agriculture today, weather in 2020, trade and raising livestock.
The kickoff breakfast is on Jan. 21 at the Roadhouse. Proceeds from the event will be going to the Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba.
In 2019, 45,000 people attended Ag Days and raised $27,000 for Ag in the Classroom.
Ag Days takes place at the Keystone Centre next week from Jan. 21-23. The event is still free for the public.
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