While cancelled last year due to the pandemic, the annual Agri-Trade Equipment Expo has returned this year, held at Red Deer's Westerner Park.

By Alessia Proietti

November 10-12

The 36th Annual Agri-Trade Equipment Expo starts Nov. 10

Nov 9, 2021 | 11:42 AM

The 36^th annual Agri-Trade Equipment Expo is returning this year, running Nov. 10 – 12, at Westerner Park.

Last year, the Expo was cancelled due to the pandemic. Safety precautions this year, however, include the Restrictions Exemption Program requiring proof of double vaccination or a negative rapid test taken within 72 hours. For added convenience, Agri-Trade will have on-site testing for guests if needed at a $40 charge. As well, a new food service area has been set up with increased and distanced seating.

According to officials, roughly 450 exhibitors will be attending, with approximately 500 exhibits, and some having more than one booth, representing an array of categories such as crop and livestock equipment, material handling, chemical, farm finance, and home décor, to name a few. Show Manager, David Fiddler, notes an increase in farm technology exhibitions.

“We’ve got lots of new exhibitors because some have dropped out for the show for various reasons. Some, I suppose, ceased to operate, some because of corporate policy aren’t traveling to events,” says Fiddler. “So that created an opportunity for a lot of new exhibitors to get into the show. Actually, there are people here who have never been here before.”

An interactive floor plan can be found on Agri-Trade’s website, displaying where each booth will be located and a description of the exhibitor. Attendees can also create their own Show Planner by marking which exhibitor they would like to visit for an efficient visit.

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With a focus of agricultural modernization, this year is also Agri-Trade 13^th Ag Innovations Awards program, where exhibitors compete for a $20,000 prize, presenting a new product that will help producers in the industry. Held on the event’s second day, Thursday, November 11 at 3 p.m., the top five finalists will prepare a five-minute pitch about their innovations to a panel of judges. Attendees will also have a chance to vote for the “Farmer’s Choice Award”, a $5,000 prize.

While normally, the event attracts 28,000-30,000, this year Fiddler is hopeful for 20,000-22,000 attendees.

The pandemic has had an impact on the agricultural industry, particularly on food pricing. While Statistics Canada noted an increase of 2.7 per cent over the past year, a new study in September from Dalhousie University’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab found that number to be closer to five per cent. Meat products in particular have been found to inflate most in price, 10 per cent in the past six months according to Statistics Canada.

Fiddler believes this year’s Agri-Trade will have a positive impact on Red Deer’s local economy as in past years, as well as Canada’s agricultural industry.

“Certainly Agri-Trade has a very significant impact on the local economy due to the number of people that travel to Red Deer and Central Alberta to visit the show and see the exhibits. They stay in hotels, do their Christmas shopping perhaps while they’re in Red Deer and patronize local restaurants and establishments,” adds Fiddler. “That’s one side of the equation. The other side is the equipment and agricultural sales that happen. There’s probably about $250 million each year that has been attributed to equipment sales as a result of this show.”

Tickets are on sale for $15 plus GST per day and include parking. Children under 12 have free admittance with accompaniment of an adult. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for three days.

“Anybody that’s in the business of agriculture should plan on coming to Agri-Trade,” exclaims Fiddler.

Find out more at agri-trade.com or visit their Twitter @agritradetoday using the hashtag #agritrade21.