(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

nov. 10-12

Agri-Trade to be held safely at Westerner Park next month

Oct 25, 2021 | 11:20 AM

RED DEER, Alta. – Agri-Trade 2021 will go ahead safely, according to organizers with Westerner Park.

The annual event is set for Nov. 10-12, with hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of attendees. It follows up what will be the return of Canadian Finals Rodeo from Nov. 3-7.

Dave Fiddler, show manager, notes that like all other events happening at Westerner Park, Agri-Trade will operate under the Restrictions Exemption Program.

“For the public and exhibitors to attend, they have to provide proof of vaccination or do a rapid test. The test can be done at a drug store, and we’ll be offering them on site for $40 each. We will have professionals administering them,” says Fiddler.

“We’ve also made it easier to access the building, and there won’t be paying at the gate. Those who need to be tested will go to the Westerner Chalet, and those who have proof of vaccination can go to the entrance. We’ve also adjusted floor plans to allow for more space and spreading out.”

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Tickets are not being limited, and Fiddler expects a show which resembles pre-pandemic conditions.

“Some exhibitors will be downsized, not because of the show, but because there are inventory problems in the industry right now,” says Fiddler, a rancher himself.

“That said, the ag industry is strong and prices are at an all time high for commodities. Droughts affected some of the Prairies, but not all of them. That drought and lower production was offset by the increase in the price of commodities, so the agriculture industry is certainly healthy at the moment.”

Fiddler says after having cancelled Agri-Trade in 2020, there is excitement to open the doors again.

“Especially for our mid-sized exhibitors, the shows are a very important component because they may not have a storefront in every community, but they come to Agri-Trade and can access a market not always available to them,” he says. “There are also opportunities for new technologies to be launched.”

This year’s Ag Innovations program, Fiddler notes, has more entrants than ever — over 50. In a pitch-style contest, one winner will walk away with $25,000, with a farmer’s choice selection receiving $5,000.

More information is at agri-trade.com.