February 27 - February 29
Making Sense of Growing Local
Publishers Pat
Editor
Lisa
Design Cole
Regular Contributors
Vincent
Kevin
Tammy
Copy
Scott Shiels
Tom Wolf
Nerissa McNaughton
Sales
Pat Ottmann pat@farmingfortomorrow.ca 587-774-7619
Nancy Bielecki nancy@farmingfortomorrow.ca 587-774-7618
Chloe MacEachern chloe@farmingfortomorrow.ca 587-774-7622
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The publisher does not assume any responsibility for the content of any advertisement, and all representations of warranties made in such advertisements are those of the advertiser and not of the publisher. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, in all or in part, without the written permission of the publisher. Canadian Publications mail sales product agreement no. 41126516.
Paul Kuntz
Kevin Hursh, P.Ag.
Kevin Hursh is one of the country’s leading agricultural commentators. He is an agrologist, journalist and farmer. Kevin and his wife Marlene run Hursh Consulting & Communications based in Saskatoon. They also own and operate a farm near Cabri in southwest Saskatchewan growing a wide variety of crops. Kevin writes for a number of agricultural publications and serves as executive director for the Canary Seed Development Commission of Saskatchewan and the Inland Terminal Association of Canada (ITAC).
Twitter: @KevinHursh1
Market Analysis Has Limitations
I’m searching for a one-armed market analyst so they can’t say, “On the other hand.”
I don’t mean to be disrespectful. I really like a lot of the market analysts who try their best to gauge the direction of grain prices. Unfortunately, market analysis is like forecasting the future with little more than a rear-view mirror as the guide.
Trouble is, you don’t know what you don’t know. Just look at the unexpected major events that have greatly influenced grain prices in recent times.
Some analysts predicted the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Others doubted it would happen. When it did occur, few predicted the strength of the Ukrainian resistance and how long the war would rage.
With two major grain exporters locked in battle, a huge risk premium was built into grain prices. How much would Ukrainian grain production drop? How much would they be able to export? Would the rest of the world still buy Russian grain?
After massive gyrations as the news ebbed and flowed, the market is no longer watching the war with the same interest. Worldwide attention was diverted to the war between Israel and Hamas, a conflict that hasn’t had many grain market ramifications.
Meanwhile, China and Australia were at diplomatic loggerheads for years over Aussie support for an investigation into the origination of COVID-19. Australian barley exports to China were stymied and that was good news for Canadian barley exports and Canadian barley prices.
China and Australia eventually patched up their differences. Aussie barley is again flowing to China, replacing Canadian product and dropping our price. The result was predictable, but the timing was always in question.
There are many market newsletters producers can subscribe to for a fee. Many crop commissions distribute market analysis reports as a service to their growers.
Back in early December, India suddenly removed all of its import duties, quotas and other restrictions from peas. Within a couple days, the price of yellow peas in Western Canada increased by up to a dollar per bushel. The restrictions have only officially been lifted until March 31, so exporters have scrambled to hit that window of opportunity.
A half-dozen years ago, previous to the import quotas, India was usually our largest customer for peas at over a million tonnes per year. After the restrictions, very little moved and China became the top customer.
Will the Indian market remain open past March 31? It all depends on Indian weather, their production levels and their politics.
Another surprise came from Turkey as the nation greatly increased its durum exports last fall, dramatically dampening Canadian price prospects.
Beyond wars and politics, the weather is another unpredictable variable. The weather watch in Brazil influences soybean prices, which in turn influences our canola values. But what’s the weather going to do?
It’s not just the effect of weather on crop production that matters. Low water levels in the Panama Canal have disrupted bulk vessel movement, greatly adding to transportation costs.
Sometimes it’s difficult to know what’s causing prices to rise or fall. Just look at how the price of canola gradually disintegrated through much of 2023. Where were the market analysts who should have been yelling “sell” from the rooftops? The lost pricing opportunity on canola is in the billions of dollars.
On the other hand, who predicted that large green lentils would hit 70 cents a pound with red lentils worth only half that amount?
There are many market newsletters producers can subscribe to for a fee. Many crop commissions distribute market analysis reports as a service to their growers. And lots of brokers and buyers are glad to add their two cents, although sometimes their viewpoints may appear self-serving.
Unfortunately, all the market analysts laid end to end would still struggle to reach a conclusion.
THE FROST AIN’T
STOPPING JACK
MAKING SENSE OF GROWING LOCAL MAKING SENSE OF GROWING LOCAL
By Angela Lovell
Up until a few years ago, the average Canadian had never heard of living lettuce, but that’s changed thanks to the efforts of a dedicated team in Saskatoon who had the vision for a state-of-the-art greenhouse to supply the Canadian market year-round with the kinds of leafy greens that Europeans have been enjoying for decades.
“Back in 2014, Star Produce was surging forward to become vertically integrated from seed all the way to shelf,” says Rindi Bristol, senior commercial director at Whole Leaf Foods (a division of Star Produce), one of the original team who helped develop the ‘Inspired Greens’ brand. “At the time, what was starting to make some noise in the greenhouse and controlled environment agriculture (CEA) industry was leafy greens productions. We looked at what was in the market and thought that we could provide end users with a higher quality, better tasting lettuce and salad experience.”
But before the greenhouse facility could become a reality, there was a lot of planning and market research needed, and much of the latter fell to Bristol.
“I spent a lot of time in Holland for two years learning where the market for living lettuce is,” she says. “What kind of varieties can you grow, what kind of options are there, what are people buying? We eat and shop very differently in North America than people do in Europe.”
Bristol says the company had to make a big decision – did it grow what it could sell or sell what it could grow?
“I had to develop an assortment of lettuce that would thrive in the Canadian marketplace. Because what was familiar for Europeans was brand new for Canadians and Americans, they have never seen these types of products before,” she says.
Finally, in 2017, the facility opened its doors, with much of the know-how and technology coming from the Netherlands and the experience of legacy growers at BC Hot House who were already part of the Star Group.
The Lethbridge County advantage
The location of the greenhouse in Lethbridge County was deliberate because of several factors, including access to sunlight. It’s no accident that the highway linking Taber, Coaldale and Lethbridge is dubbed Canada’s Premier Food Corridor because the area receives the second most sunlight hours in Canada (and Medicine Hat just down the road takes the number one spot).
“For traditional greenhouse production you need natural sunlight, especially for a crop like leafy greens which depends on a high amount of radiation to get the vibrant, deep dark colours and gloss on the leaves,” Bristol says. “This was a great place to be for that.”
The location offers access to the U.S. market, land costs are reasonable and there is also a plentiful water supply through the local St. Mary River Irrigation District.
The Whole Leaf facility is a unique, cutting-edge design that is the first of its kind in North America. They have partnered with Signalta Resources Limited to construct and operate a 5MW natural gas fired, co-generation plant that supplies the greenhouse with electricity, heat and CO2. Waste heat created by electricity generation is captured and used to maintain the greenhouse temperature, and CO2 is captured and directed into the greenhouse to accelerate plant growth. The cogeneration plant also serves to provide more power and electricity to the surrounding area and grid when needed.
The facility uses no pesticides, captures condensation and is self-sufficient for water up to seven months of the year. It is oriented to capture the most sunlight hours possible.
It also boasts a proprietary NFT and mobile gutter system.
“We use semi-closed technology which means we can completely close the greenhouse and manage our climate based off the needs of the plants,” Bristol says. “We don’t vent excess heat to the outside environment and because of being in a pressurized environment inside the greenhouse, it allows better control to maintain crop speed and plant
health. We didn’t go with a turnkey project, we found something that was truly unique and aligned our technologies to meet the economics so that we could be profitable.”
That’s always been a big question mark with indoor farming systems, and this one, says Bristol is not only proving the economic case for this type of indoor food production, but has required much less investment than most vertical farming type operations.
“The initial investment was about C$50-60 million, and that is quite low compared to what you’re seeing for some vertical farms,” she says.
In fact, the facility has already expanded – in 2018 – and at maximum capacity can produce 17.5 to 18 million head of lettuce a year.
“Very quickly we saw that this was a market that had some viability,” Bristol says. “With issues around food safety, climate change and problems with supply, there was interest in Canada to manoeuvre and figure out how we’re going to be food secure for our population. All of the grocery retailers have a huge stance on wanting to support local growers. It’s good for our economy, it’s good for everybody right in our own backyard and we fit that bill nicely.”
“We use semi-closed technology which means we can completely close the greenhouse and manage our climate based off the needs of the plants.”
- Rindi Bristol
A model for re-localizing economies?
In the aftermath of COVID, there is much talk about relocalizing our economies, although that’s not happening to the extent that the buzz around the topic would suggest it should be. So, what is the challenge to the Whole Leaf business model becoming more commonplace in North America?
Number one, says Bristol, is making public funding more easily accessible.
“We are a small company and I work with a team of six people, and to access government funding and programs needs a team dedicated to getting the information in for them,” she says. “But we are trying to wear a ton of different hats; we are
“The ingenuity, the innovation, the knowledge is right here; it’s right beside us. We just have to make sure that we put the effort into extracting that and deploying that experience, knowledge and effort in the right way.” - Rindi Bristol
growing and marketing a product, so in order for growers and farmers to be able to grow more quickly, they have to be able to tap into these programs easier and faster.”
A big challenge for Whole Leaf has also been the fact that they have used Dutch technology, (which is the world leader in greenhouse innovation and construction) which has meant long lead times for raw material, supplies and even spare parts, something that COVID exacerbated.
“Just to get certain parts for our system and facility would take up to 12 weeks,” she says. “That has meant we have to hold a huge amount of inventory of spare parts because if our cooler goes down, we can’t wait 12 weeks for a compressor part to come. We need that cooler up and running within four hours. Access to capital and the space to
carry a large inventory of parts and things that make the greenhouse operate and function properly has been a challenge.”
Certainly, these types of CEA facilities hold a lot of potential for anyone – farmers included – looking to diversify, collaborate and bring food production closer to home.
“The ingenuity, the innovation, the knowledge is right here; it’s right beside us. We just have to make sure that we put the effort into extracting that and deploying that experience, knowledge and effort in the right way,” Bristol says. “We are extremely proud of where we’re located, of what we do every day and when we get notes from consumers telling us that they’re enjoying our products that helps us show up for work every day.”
ariley@newwaykubota.com
jentz@newwaykubota.com
janderson@newwaykubota.com
cbullock@newwaykubota.
LEADING THE WAY.
WELCOME TO AG EXPO 2024
Once again, we are pleased to host the agriculture industry at Ag Expo in Lethbridge, Alberta.
2023 was a year of extremes! In different areas and at different times across the region we saw drought, softball-sized hail, heat and cold (remember Ag Expo 2023?) But we were blessed with good weather through harvest, and across the prairies - for the most part - yields were better than expected.
This year, we expect to see a full house, as we have a sold-out show and a brand-new venue! As you begin to plan your visit, make sure to check out the North American Seed Fair. It’s a highlight
of the show each year, and this year it will be surrounded by new technology exhibits in our Tech Zone! The industry never ceases to amaze me with new innovations and products to make farmers more efficient and more profitable.
The City of Lethbridge and the Province of Alberta are pleased to welcome farmers from across the Prairies, and we are also expecting visitors from around the globe as we celebrate the business of agriculture!
PERI PRICE Show Manager
ABOUT AG EXPO
In the heart of Canada’s Food Corridor, Ag Expo is Western Canada’s premier agricultural expo. Seamlessly merging state-of-the-art technology and equipment with the enduring spirit of hardworking farm culture, Ag Expo provides visitors with a captivating glimpse into the industry that beats at the heart of Southern Alberta.
Displayed in the Salons of the Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre, the North American Seed Fair is one of the oldest Seed Fairs in Western Canada. Here you will find a showcase of over 25 classes of Pedigreed Seed, Open Classes, and Junior Classes.
Ag Expo brings together the world’s most innovative agricultural solutions and invites those working in the industry to learn about all the options for their operations. Experience the latest farming equipment, and trade and invest with exhibitors launching innovative industry technology - from irrigation systems and farm equipment to livestock supplies, chemicals, and seeds. Connect directly with major producers and marketers of crops and livestock while finding the tools and resources you need - all in one place.
EVENT DETAILS
Dates
Tuesday, Feb. 27 – Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024
Show Hours
9 AM – 5 PM daily.
Location
Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre
101 Exhibition Way S, Lethbridge, AB
Parking
Limited parking is included with admission.
Food & Beverage
Buffet 11 AM - 2 PM (daily)
Located in the Lethbridge County Corridor. Bistros (2) ..........................8:30 AM – 5 PM (daily)
Located in Show Office A outside of DA Hall, and Show Office C outside of UFA Hall, in the Lethbridge County Corridor. Bistros serve a variety of food options along with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Licensed bars......................12 PM – 4 PM (daily) Several bars serving a variety of beverages.
Admission Price
Advance General Admission (12+)
$18
Advance General Admission tickets are on sale from Jan. 4 – Feb. 26, 2024 at 5 PM. Tickets can be purchased online at ag-expo.ca or in person at Reception in the Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre.
General Admission (12+)...................................$20
General Admission tickets are available online at ag-expo.ca or at the gate from Feb. 27 – 29, 2024.
Dealer Passes.......................$15.75 or $315 for 20
Student Admission..........................................FREE
Includes 4-H Youth, Lethbridge College & University of Lethbridge Students *must present valid ID
Children (11 and Under)...................................FREE
Scan the QR code to get your Advance Tickets.
WE’LL BUILD GROWING BUSINESSES TOGETHER.
Our industry stands ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future. With innovation and drive, we will find new approaches, develop new techniques and grow agriculture in Alberta.
PROUD TO GROW AGRICULTURE IN ALBERTA
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
Grow Better, with Biology | Speaker Series with Advanced Ag
On February 28th, dive into the impacts of biological products and how they can be leveraged to optimize sustainable crop production. In this four-part speaker series, experts will discuss new research findings and what that could mean for the future of the ag industry. Discover how properly integrating biologicals can have an impact in overall soil health, fertilizer efficiency and sustainable crop production.
Speakers and Sessions:
Dr. Monika Gorzelak, Research Scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
John Wong, Head Scientist, AdvancedAg Inc.
Hal Reed, Certified Crop Advisor and Jeremy Wind, Windview Farms
Soil Biology Expert Panel Discussion
One CEU available per unique session available for Certified Crop Advisors.
Ag for Life has been delivering impactful, educational programs and awareness, connecting students of all ages to the culture of agriculture since 2011. It is our mission to educate and inspire the next generation to pick up the torch and dive into this industry of growing opportunity, playing an integral role in society, the economy, and the environment. The thinkAG Career Fair hits curriculum outcomes within career and life management, propelling students forward in their lifelong career development journey through networking and career mentorship opportunities. Exposed to a range of career possibilities within agriculture, students can rub elbows with industry leaders and analyze the career paths of others to find their fit. Hosted at the Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre, a space provided by Ag Expo in Lethbridge, the thinkAG Career Fair will be held between 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. Don’t miss out on this opportunity for hands-on industry immersion, and allow your students the chance to ask their burning questions and seek out education and employment opportunities within the agriculture industry. See the details here. Register now.
Agriculture for Life (Ag for Life) and Ag Expo are excited to present the thinkAG Career Fair in February 2024! Students in grades 9 – 12 are invited to participate in a one-of-a-kind career experience. Learn how your students’ unique interests align with the agriculture industry through participation in interactive, thought-provoking explorations. Students will have the chance to listen to a line-up of agriculture professionals active in the field, participate in a Q and A session, and visit the Ag Expo showroom floor.
thinkAG | Career Fair hosted by Ag for Life and Ag Expo
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
The Dish | Special Event hosted by AFSC and Ag Expo
Producers can get “The Dish” on the challenges and opportunities of perennial risk management focusing on Moisture Deficiency Insurance, Feb. 27 at Ag Expo. The Dish is a special informational event hosted by Agricultural Financial Services Corporation and Ag Expo! Attendees will gain insights into the opportunities and challenges related to perennial risk management in both Canada and the United States, AFSC’s current position and future goals for the program and current impacts on the industry. Register and get complimentary tickets to both The Dish and Ag Expo. A limited number of tickets are available at ag-expo.ca.
EXHIBITOR LISTINGS BY NAME
A
Accurate / Western Scale .........................1402
Acu Fast 35
Adept Industrial Solutions Ltd 24
ADM Fertilizer 607
Advanced Ag Inc 1344
Aerialtech 634
AgraCity Crop & Nutrition 322
Agrai Dairy Mart 1426
Agri-King Inc/Silo-King .............................. 100
Agri-Novatex Canada Ltd .......................... 108
Agroplus Inc 1202
Airguard Inc 1210
Alberta AG Centre 1226
Alltech Canada / (Keenan) 318 / (312)
Alpine Solutions 806
Al’s Consulting 1410
Asceno ................................................... 732
Ashland / K-Tech ...................................... 907
ASLE Technologies Group (ATG) 1110
Atom-Jet Industries 137
ATP Nutrition Ltd 507
Avolea Interior Products 1107
B
B-hyve AG ............................................... 1106
Banditos Incorporated .............................. 323
Banga’s Equipment 1103
BASF 903
Bayer Crop Science ............................. 1112
Belchim Crop Protection Canada 724
Best Farming Systems 906
Bio-Agtive Emissions Farming 521
Boehringer-Ingelhelm Animal Health Inc .... 126
Bos Agri Sales ......................................... 1338
Bourgault Industries Ltd 831
Bushel Plus 535
C
Cams AG 911
Can-Seed Equipment 606
Canadian Agri-Blend Inc .............................. 19
CBM Lighting ........................................... 135
Chin Ridge Seeds 603
Chinook Country Pressure Washers Ltd 1308
Chinook Equipment 403
Chinook Farm Innovations 631
CIBC 20
Clews Storage Management 1214
Communications Group Lethbridge Ltd ........ 21
CORR Grain Systems Inc ........................... 509
Corteva - Pioneer Hi-Bred Canada Co 217
Corteva Agriscience Canada Company 217
Covers and Co 608
Croplands Equipment 707
D
D.A. Steel Buildings .............................. 103
D-Com Energy Solutions 1332
Dairy Lane Systems 523
Decisive Farming by TELUS Agriculture 720
Delcan Building Materials 131
Delta Irrigation/Water Tec 1003/1007
Dennis’ Dirtworx 902
Destiny Homes 1336
Diamond Hoof Care .................................1328
DLF Canada Inc ........................................ 807
Double C AG .......................................... 44
Double R Value Insulation Ltd 1013
Down to Earth Labs 1335
Dunlop Truck Centres 1006
Dutch Agriculture 1014
Dutchie Dirt-Moving 809
E
E.C.I. Environmental Choice Inc 18
Earth Smart 30
Enriched Water 706
EQUS REA Ltd 1217
F
Fabian Seed Farms Inc .............................. 612
Farm Business Consultants (FBC) 26
FCC (Farm Credit Canada) ...................... 203
Flaman Sales 921
FMC Canada 525
Fort Garry Ind 1228
Fountain Tire 427
Frontlink Inc ............................................. 803
G
GEN Manufacturing Ltd 1323
Glass-Pac Canada 1320
GMS Mechanical & Equipment 1027
Goldridge Industries Inc 227
Graham Seed Treating Systems Ltd 28
Grain Storage Solutions ............................ 602
Great West Kenworth ................................ 633
Green Prairie International 134
H
Hire - Standard
I
K
L
M
N
EXHIBITOR LISTINGS BY NAME
P
Palliser Sales .......................................... 1211
Parker - Baldwin Filters 227
Penergetic Canada 531
PGS Equipment Ltd 1236
Pillar Lasers 1435
Pioneer Coupler Cattle Oiler Co 117
Plants Dig Soil Consulting 16
PowerLift Hydraulic Door 107
Power Rich Fertilizer Inc. ......................... 714
Prairie Post Frame .................................... 702
Prairie Skies Alfalfa Ltd 1301
Prairie Stone Concrete 1322
Precision AG 1432
Precision Planting 303
Precision Trailers 1027
Premium Foliars 23
Preventative Maintenance ........................1222
Puroxi Alberta Inc ....................................1405
R
R. A. West International Inc 1313
R.P.H. Irrigation 624
Real Estate Centre (The) 1324
Redfern Enterprises 22
Redi Rain ................................ North Lobby
Remuda Building ...................................... 625
Richardson Pioneer Ltd 209
Ridgeline Contracting Ltd 621
Rocking Horse Industries 307
S
Sandman Hotel Group ................................... 9
Schippers Canada Ltd ..............................1441
Scotiabank .............................. North Lobby
Shimek Industries 520
Simplot 1438
Skyway Grain Systems 234
South Country Co-Op Ltd 1120
Southern Irrigation 303
Southern Rewind 1408
Southern Scale ........................................1412
Southland Trailer Corp .............................1021
Southridge Construction Ltd 703
Southwest Design & Construction 620
Specialized Spray Inc 1312
Springwater/White Shell 1428
Stamp Seeds 51
Standard Scale 110
Steve’s Urethane Inc ................................1427
Strait Way Ltd ............................................. 11
Sunnybrook Welding & Machine Shop 1407
SuperForm Products Ltd 721
Syngenta Canada Inc ............................. 423
T
Taber Diesel Services Ltd .......................... 114
Taber Home & Farm Centre ......................1115
Tama Canada 1011
Taslar Trading Corp/Nanton Seed 27
TD Agriculture 1316
Team Auctions Ltd 8
The Containment Answer 111
The Gear Centre 1415
Thomas Radiators Ltd 1401
Thunderstruck Ag Equipment ................. 311
Treadstone Machinery Ltd ......................... 910
Trinity Bio Chem Inc 715
Trouw Nutrition Canada 1015
TruGreen Metal Recycling 226 U UFA 1203 UPL Agro Solutions ..................................1310 V Vale Industries 17 Vandenberg Hay Farms 1420
Vanee Farm Centre 202 Viterra 104
Vulcan County South Lobby
W Wajax 222
Wall Grain Handling Systems 14 WaterTec 1007
Wentworth Ag 605
Westco Construction Ltd 630
Western Generator ...................................1422
Western Solar .......................................... 1334
Wind & Sun Protection 1337 Wurth Canada 814 X XiteBio Technologies Inc. 1113 Y Yara Belle Plaine 812
Z Zipperlock Building Co 1304
$100,000 CRACK THE VAULT for your chance to win. Stop by the Scotiabank booth in the Main Foyer. Presented by:
TECH ZONE
&
# COMPANY
N21 20/20 Seed Labs
N31 4B Components Ltd.
N83 Alberta Grains
N14 Alberta Pulse Growers
N24 Alberta Seed Processors
N67 Annelida Soil Solutions
N85 Arjazon
N88 Bioline Corp./CanGrow
N13 Brett Young Seeds Ltd.
N2 Brummelhuis Seeds
N10 Canadian Grain Commission
N91 CWB (Canadian Western Bank)
N63 Chin Ridge Seeds
N61 Chinook Treaters and Spreaders
N33 Clean Farms
N66 Columbia Grain International
N8 Columbia Seed Co. Ltd.
N65 DSV Northstar
N58 Energy Smart Can. Ltd.
N25 Farmers Business Network
N42 Farming Smarter
N87 Forty Mile Turf Seed Ltd.
N46 Gaber Distributors
N41 Garratt Industries
N23 Genesis Fertilizers LP
N16 Global Commodities Traders
N69 Green Aero Tech
N82 Imperial Seed Ltd.
N64 K3 Seeds
N15 Mercer Seeds Ltd.
N26 Nufarm
N90 Paramoria Agri-Science Inc.
N81 Performance Seed
N12 Pride Seeds
N86 Quattro Ventures (Seeds)
N11 Rayglen Commodities Inc.
N4 SeCan
N6 SeedNet Inc.
N71 Sky Drones Inc.
N22 Solar Optix Energy Services
N36 Taurus Agricultural Marketing Inc
Western AG Professional Agronomy N34
PARKING MAP
EXHIBITOR LISTINGS BY CATEGORY
BUILDING & BUILDING SUPPLIES
Armax Electric Ltd.
Avolea Interior Products
Banditos Incorporated
CBM Lighting
Delcan Building Materials
Destiny Homes
Diamond Industries
Double R Value Insulation Ltd.
Enviro-Smart Inc.
ICC Distribution Group
Integrity Buildings
Jade Homes Inc.
Keystone Concrete Ltd.
M&K Home Sales
PGS Equipment Ltd.
PowerLift Hydraulic Door
Prairie Post Frame
Prairie Stone Concrete
Real Estate Centre (The)
Remuda Building
Ridgeline Contracting Ltd.
South Country Livestock Equipment
Southridge Construction Ltd.
Southwest Design & Construction
Spring Water/White Shell
Steve’s Urethane Inc.
Taber Home & Farm Centre
UFA
Zipperlock Building Co.
CROP INPUTS
20/20 Seed Labs
ADM Fertilizer
Advanced Ag Inc.
AgraCity Crop & Nutrition
Agroplus Inc.
Alpine Solutions
Atom-Jet Industries
ATP Nutrition Ltd.
Bayer Crop Science
Belchim Crop Protection Canada
Bioline Corp.
Black Earth Products
Bushel Plus
Crocus Web Solutions
E.C.I. Environmental Choice Inc.
Fabian Seed Farms Inc.
Farmers Business Network
FMC Canada
Global Ag Risk Solutions
Graham Seed Treating Systems Ltd.
Independent Crop Inputs
Johnston’s Grain Ltd.
K3 Seeds
NexusBioAG
Nufarm
Omex Agriculture
Penergetic Canada
PGS Equipment Ltd.
Powerrich Corp
Preventative Maintenance
R. A. West
Richardson Pioneer Ltd.
Simplot
Specialized Spray Inc.
Syngenta Canada
Taber Home & Farm Centre
Taurus Agricultural Marketing Inc.
Trinity Bio Chem Inc.
West Wind Airspray Ltd.
Xite Bio
Yara Canada
FARM FINANCE /PROGRAMMING
AFSC
Alberta Conservation Association
Arjazon
Canadian Grain Commission
Chaparral Insurance Brokers
CIBC
Crocus Web Solutions
CWB National Leasing
FCC / Farm Credit Canada
Global Ag Risk Solutions
Marketplace Commodities
Parrish & Heimbecker Ltd.
Rayglen Commodities Inc.
Scotia Bank
TD Agriculture
FARM SUPPLIES & TOOLS
Banditos Incorporated
Can-Seed Equipment
Chinook Country Pressure Washers Ltd.
DSG Power Systems
Flaman Sales
Friesen Nutrition
Hagen/Sebo Pumps
Hotsy Water Blast
Huber Ag Equipment
Jepson Petroleum
Mid-West Pump (90) Ltd.
New Line Hose & Fittings
One Guy Garage Auto, Industrial and Ag
Plants Dig Soil Consulting
Power Fuelz Ltd.
Preventative Maintenance
Pumps And Pressure
Schippers Canada Ltd.
Shimek Industries
South Country Co-Op Ltd.
Southern Irrigation
Strait Way Sales and Rentals
Taber Diesel Services Ltd.
Taber Home & Farm Centre
Thomas Radiators Ltd.
Thunderstruck Ag Equipment
UFA
Vanee Farm Centre
Westvac Industrial Ltd.
FEED / GRAIN SUPPLEMENTS
Agri-King Inc./ Silo-King
Alltech Canada
Cams AG
Friesen Nutrition
Nutrisource/Dairytech/Connect OnFarm
GPS / DRONE
Aerialtech
Landview Drones
GRAIN STORAGE & HANDLING
Can-Seed Equipment Ltd.
Canadian Agri-Blend Inc.
Clews Storage Management
CORR Grain Systems Inc.
Flaman Sales
Grain Storage Solutions
I Beam Irrigation
Impel Systems Inc.
Meridian Manufacturing
Neeralta Manufacturing Inc.
Precision Planting
Rocking Horse Industries
Skyway Grain Systems
South Country Livestock Equipment
Taslar Trading Corp/Nanton Seed
Trouw Nutrition Canada
Union Forage
Wall Grain Handling Systems
Wentworth Ag
HAYING & HARVESTING
Alberta AG Centre
Chinook Equipment
Flaman Sales
Honey Bee Manufacturing Ltd.
R. A. West
Sunnybrook Welding & Machine Shop
Thunderstruck Ag Equipment
Wentworth Ag
IRRIGATION
B-hyve AG Delta Irrigation
Delta Irrigation
I Beam Irrigation
Moboots AG
New Way Irrigation R.P.H. Irrigation
Southern Irrigation
LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT /SUPPLIES
Canadian Agri-Blend Inc.
Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA)
Chinook Equipment
Chinook Farm Innovations
Diamond Hoof Care
Fast Genetics
Flaman Sales
Friesen Nutrition Lethbridge
Glass-Pac Canada
GMS Mechanical & Equipment
Huber Ag Equipment
ICC Distribution Group
Lewis Cattle Oiler Co. Ltd.
Mackay Equipment Sales
Millennium Genetics ABS
Mustang Trailers And Welding
Nieboer Farm Supplies
Precision AG Systems
Puroxi Alberta Inc.
Rocking Horse Industries
EXHIBITOR LISTINGS BY CATEGORY
Select Sires
South Country Livestock Equipment
Southern Irrigation
Spring Water/White Shell
MATERIAL HANDLING
Can-Seed Equipment
Chinook Treaters
Dunlop Truck Centres
Dutchie Dirt-Moving
Flaman Sales
Fort Garry Industries Ltd.
Frontlink Inc.
ICC Distribution Group
PGS Equipment Ltd.
Viterra
Wall Grain Handling Systems
Westvac Industrial Ltd.
SECURITY & MONITORING SYSTEMS
Communications Group Lethbridge Ltd.
I Beam Irrigation
Impel Systems Inc.
SEED
Alberta Pulse Growers
Alberta Wheat and Barley
Brett Young Seeds Ltd.
Brummelhuis Seeds
Chin Ridge Seeds
Columbia Seed
Covers and Co DLF Canada Inc.
DSV Northstar
Fabian Seed Farms Inc.
Graham Seed Treating Systems Ltd.
Impel Systems Inc.
Imperial Seed Ltd.
Independent Crop Inputs
K3 Seeds
Mercer Seeds Performance Seed
Preventative Maintenance
Quattro Ventures (Seeds)
R. A. West
Rayglen Commodities Inc.
SeCan
SeedNet Inc.
Stamp Seeds
Taber Home & Farm Centre
Vandaele AG
TILLAGE & SEEDING
Airguard Inc.
Ashland
Atom-Jet Industries
Bourgault Industries Ltd.
Chinook Equipment
Flaman Sales
Frontlink Inc.
Gaber Distributors
GEN Manufacturing Ltd.
Graham Seed Treating Systems Ltd.
PGS Equipment Ltd.
Precision Planting
R. A. West
Thunderstruck Ag Equipment
Treadstone Machinery Ltd.
TIRES & TRANSPORT
Fort Garry Industries Ltd.
Fountain Tire
Mo-Tires
Taslar Trading Corp/Nanton Seed
TRACTORS / EQUIPMENTS
Bos Agri Sales
Chinook Equipment
Dunlop Truck Centres
Mackay Equipment Sales
New Way Kubota
Nieboer Farm Supplies
Noble Equipment
Palliser Sales Ltd.
Reimer Tuning Ltd.
Vanee Farm Centre
Western Tractor - Fieldsmart Precision Agriculture
OTHER
Accurate / Western Scale
Adept Industrial Solutions Ltd.
Ag for Life
Agrai Dairy Mart
Alberta Conservation Association
Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions
Alltech Canada
Al’s Consulting
Arbourdale
ASLE Technologies Group (ATG)
B-hyve AG
Banga’s Equipment
BASF
Best Farming Systems
Bio-Agtive Emissions Farming
Boehringer-Ingelhelm Animal Health Inc.
Bourgault Industries Ltd.
Caster Town Ltd.
CBM Lighting
Chaparral Insurance Brokers
Chinook Farm Innovations
Chinook Treaters and Spreaders
ChrysaLabs Inc.
Clews Storage Management
Columbia Grain
Committed Ag LT
Corteva - Pioneer Hi-Bred Canada Co.
Corteva Agriscience Canada Company
Croplands Equipment
D-Com Energy Solutions
D.A. Steel Buildings
Dairy Lane Systems
Decisive Farming by TELUS Agriculture Down to
Earth Labs
Dutch Agriculture
Dutchie Dirt-Moving
Earth Smart
Energy Smart Can.Ltd.
Enriched Water
EQUS
Farming Smarter
Hire - Standard
Holmes Ecowater
Hotsy Water Blast
Impel Systems Inc.
Integrated Agriculture Technology Centre
Interlake Resources Inc.
ITS Global (Integrated Traceability Solutions)
Jepson Petroleum
Johnston’s Grain Ltd.
Lethbridge County Agriculture Services
Lethbridge Dairy Mart Ltd.
Lethbridge Truck Equipment
Marketplace Commodities
Maximum H2O
Mid-West Pump (90) Ltd.
Millennium Genetics ABS
Mountainview Systems
Mustang Trailers And Welding
Natural Resources Conservation Board
New Line Hose & Fittings
New Way Kubota
New West Truck Centres
Nieboer Farm Supplies
One Guy Garage Auto, Industrial and Ag
One Time Fencing
Optimum Mfg Ltd.
Outback Guidance
Paramoria Agri-Science Inc.
Penergetic Canada
Pillar Lasers
Pioneer Coupler Cattle Oiler Co.
Plants Dig Soil Consulting
Power Fuelz Ltd.
Prairie Precision Sustainability Network
Precision Trailers
Premium Foliars
Pumps And Pressure
Real Estate Centre (The)
Ridgeline Contracting Ltd.
School of Agriculture (Lethbridge College)
Shimek Industries
Siloking Canada
Simplot
Southern Alberta Satellite - Authorized dealer of Xplore Inc.
Southern Scale Company Inc.
Standard Scale
Strait Way Sales and Rentals
Taber Diesel Services Ltd.
Taslar Trading Corp/Nanton Seed
Taurus Agricultural Marketing Inc.
Team Auctions Ltd.
The Containment Answer
The Gear Centre / Pats Driveline
TruGreen Metal Recycling
Union Forage
UPL Agro Solutions
Vandenberg Hay Farms
Vulcan County
Western Generator
Western Solar Inc.
Wind & Sun Protection
Wurth Canada
Introducing Oxbow TM , a versatile cereal broadleaf herbicide that gets the job done. Powered by Duplosan ™ technology, Oxbow is your workhorse on resistant kochia (including Group 2-, 4-, 9- and 14-resistant biotypes) and other tough weeds. With flexibility in application timing, rates and re-cropping options, the path is clear with Oxbow.
INSPIRING A FUTURE WITHOUT WASTE IS A COLLECTIVE EFFORT
Thank you Alberta. By working together, we have diverted over 11.6 million electronic devices, 33.9 million litres of paint, 144.5 million tires, and over 2.0 billion litres of used oil from our landfills. ARMA is now helping to support a government-made Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework that will help reduce waste and advance Alberta’s circular economy. Learn more at albertarecycling.ca
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS
Presenting
Friend
Media
SEED FAIR PARTNERS
Presenting
Supporters
• Pumping sloughs early allows full fields to be seeded
• Increase yield and acreage during seeding and harvesting
• Saves wear and tear on seeding and harvesting equipment
• Soil salinity is decreased and saline soils are rejuvenated
• Grasshopper and mole infestation around potholes and sloughs can be reduced
• Water basins formed during flash rains can be pumped to prevent drowning of plants
Ag for Life is on a Mission
Formed in 2011, Agriculture for Life (Ag for Life) is an Albertabased charitable organization dedicated to building a greater understanding and appreciation of agriculture and its fundamental connection to life.
Ag for Life’s CEO Luree Williamson says the goal is “to educate Albertans about agriculture’s role in feeding the world as it relates to food security, environment and climate change, economic diversification, innovation, careers, and sustainability while building public trust along the entire value chain.”
With a team of nine, Ag for Life delivers impactful educational programs with the help of volunteers, partners and stakeholders, inspiring, empowering and connecting students of all ages to the “culture of agriculture.”
“Our in-classroom programs, like our Classroom Agriculture Program (CAP) for Grade 4s, bring in real industry professionals to teach students about agriculture and where their food comes from,” explains Williamson.
Ag for Life also has two mobile education classrooms that visit schools and events across Alberta. These trailers offer a blend of digital, tactile and conversational-style learning, appealing to inter-generational families, teachers and students of all ages.
“The Know Your Food exhibit introduces visitors to Alberta’s very own farm-to-table story, engaging participants with interactive education stations that deliver curriculum, science-based, fun and relevant agriculture and food knowledge,” says Williamson. “Our Rural Safety Unit connects visitors with important farm safety information, including interactive station topics, such as hazard identification, large animal, large equipment, utility and chemical safety.”
To date, Ag for Life has delivered agriculture education to more than half-a-million Albertans through its delivery platforms that include:
• in the classroom
• in the kitchen
• in the garden
• farm, ranch, business and community locations
• events, fairs and festivals
• webinars, workshops and public speaking
• digital and print media
“A strong aim for Ag for Life is to show young people that agriculture can be a great career,” says Williamson. “The agriculture and food sector is at the leading edge of research and innovation to address global challenges. There are endless opportunities which will allow future generations to make a difference.
“From communications, engineering, economics to food and animal sciences – the possibilities are endless when it comes to career opportunities in the agriculture sector.”
Ag for Life emphasizes that a thriving agriculture industry is not just an economic consideration, as we live in a complex world where conservation, health, safety, environment and food production intersect like never before. Like many social causes, food production and related issues are matters that concern us all and need to be addressed.
For example, an issue for us as a nation is finding answers to questions such as:
• How can we feed a growing population while reducing our environmental footprint?
• How can we grow and produce food that is nutritious, affordable, culturally relevant and accessible to all?
• How do we promote agriculture as a career choice so the industry can meet the many challenges and opportunities ahead?
• How can we keep farmers and their families safe while growing and raising our food?
“Agriculture connects all aspects of our lives and that is why Ag for Life exists,” adds Williamson.
Mental health isn’t something we talk about. to ignore
It’s time to start changing the way we talk about farmers and farming. To recognize that just like anyone else, sometimes we might need a little help dealing with issues like stress, anxiety, and depression. That’s why the Do More Agriculture Foundation is here, ready to provide access to mental health resources like counselling, training and education, tailored specifically to the needs of Canadian farmers and their families.
Agri-Food Event Concept is Taking Shape
This event in 2024 will include a trade show and also feature internationally recognized speakers and tours to facilities and farms at the forefront of technical innovation.
While Alberta’s energy industry has long been a major driver of the province’s economy, the worldwide pandemic showed that many industries are vulnerable.
Canadians are continuing to see the impact of volatile prosperity. However, one thing that is certain is that people need to eat. This means that Alberta’s agri-food industry can continue to play an important part in stabilizing the province’s economy.
By some estimates, the agri-food industry is already the province’s largest industry—both by employment and GDD— with the potential to grow significantly. This was proven during the peak of the COVID-19 crisis in 2020 when primary agricultural exports grew by 10 percent, and food and beverage product exports by 5 percent.
“Alberta is at a point in its history where it can definitely seize national and global leadership positions in both agriculture and food production,” says Stuart Cullum, president of Red Deer Polytechnic, a public post-secondary institution that offers high-tech, hands-on learning and research in agriculture, technology, and more.
“Through enhancing discovery, development, application and integration of technology in the agri-food space, our region can complement the progress that is being made in the primary production sector.”
“Alberta is at a point in its history where it can definitely seize national and global leadership positions in both agriculture and food production.”
- Stuart Cullum
Cullum adds that the Agri-Food Innovation Expo in 2023 provided an important linkage between agriculture and food production as Alberta needs a convening space and showcase for its agri-food industry.
It’s no secret that Alberta has long been a powerhouse in primary agriculture and enjoys a significant trade surplus in agriculture commodities, with potential for even greater growth. However, the province currently imports many agri-food products which many in the industry see as a missed opportunity to generate revenue, increase jobs, and support sustainable growth.
This is just one reason the Agri-Food Innovation Expo is so important. While Western Canada is home to several events
“This event will continue to create awareness of our thriving agrifood industry, as well as support the exchange of knowledge and ideas that promote future growth.” - Trevor Lewington
that support progress in conventional agriculture, there are far fewer opportunities for other agri-food stakeholders— such as food processors and non-traditional agriculture innovators—to share ideas and learn about new technologies.
Westerner Park in Red Deer and Lethbridge & District Exhibition in Lethbridge have joined forces to explore conference and trade show concepts that would include innovations in the following areas: food and beverage processing; meat and grain processing; industrial hemp and cannabis; indoor and covered growing technologies; plant protein fractionation; bio-industrial technologies; automation and robotics; remote sensing and more.
Under the guidance of the steering committee, the production team held a three-day industry conference this past November that introduced the event concept to agri-food stakeholders. This conference—the forerunner of the annual trade show to take place in November 2024 in Lethbridge—will include presentations and workshops on industry trends and innovations, with sessions delivered by industry and government.
“We strongly support the agri-food event produced by the Lethbridge & District Exhibition and Westerner Park,” says Trevor Lewington, CEO of Economic Development Lethbridge. “This event will continue to raise awareness of our thriving agri-food industry, as well as support the exchange of knowledge and ideas that promote future growth.”
Nikki Olson, an ag producer in Red Deer County, agrees and says she and her husband enthusiastically support this event.
“With land prices at such a premium, investigating options that would provide innovative and diversified income streams for our farm is very important. This event will help us learn more about how to access new growth markets that could take our operation to the next level.”
For those interested in learning more about the Agri-Food Innovation Expo event concept, contact Dave Fiddler of Horizon Agricultural Consulting at (403) 304-5714 or dave.fiddler@agrifoodhub.ca.
Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre Brings the Ag Industry Together
For more than 125 years, Lethbridge & District Exhibition has facilitated the coming together of the agriculture industry in Southern Alberta. From its initial founding in 1897 as an organization where local ranchers and community-minded citizens could come together to showcase agriculture and promote commerce, through to the push to host the World Dry-Farming Congress in 1912, promoting the agriculture industry has always been at the organization’s roots.
That commitment carried over to a new chapter in 2023, when the Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre opened its doors. The 268,000 square foot, state-of-the-art trade and convention centre is ideally suited to host everything from small meetings to large-scale events like Ag Expo, which makes its debut in the new venue from Feb. 27 to 29. With trade halls, convention salons, meeting rooms, a lounge, and a huge industrial kitchen, the space in the Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre can be tailored to meet the needs of nearly anything the community could hope to host. An indication of its success is that more than 200,000 visitors passed through the venue in its first five months of operation.
With thousands of delegates, sponsors, exhibitors, and agriculture industry representatives set to descend on Lethbridge for Ag Expo, it is one of the first major showcases of how the Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre can drive economic growth in Lethbridge and Southern Alberta. Attendees are expected to fill hundreds of hotel rooms in the region, while also supporting local restaurants, stores, and other services. Ag Expo has been a long-standing staple in the community, but the new venue has given it the
The Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre has a key role to play in telling Southern Alberta’s agriculture story to provincial, national and international audiences, which can help grow the industry across the entire country.
capacity to dramatically expand to better suit the agriculture community.
In addition to hosting long-standing community events like Ag Expo, Whoop-Up Days and the Lethbridge Farmers’ Market, the venue is centrally-located in the heart of Southern Alberta’s unique agriculture community, along Canada’s Premier Food Corridor. Sitting less than a kilometre from an irrigated field in Lethbridge County, Lethbridge’s location provides agriculture-based events with access to researchers, two post-secondary institutions, producers, food processors, and more who call Southern Alberta home.
The Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre has a key role to play in telling Southern Alberta’s agriculture story to provincial, national and international audiences, which can help grow the industry across the entire country.
