35th annual Crop Production Show kicks off today

One of the country’s largest agricultural showcases is back for another year.

The 35th Western Canadian Crop Production show kicked off this morning at Prairieland Park and Convention Centre. The annual trade show, which aims to connect farmers with new tools and technology, runs through Jan. 11.

Part of the province’s crop production week, the show is expected to feature 348 companies spread across more than 1,050 trade show booths and numerous outdoor displays, Prairieland Park said in a news release.

That represents a small increase from last year’s show, which included 345 firms and 1,035 booths. More than 20,000 people attended the 34th event held last January, according to Prairieland Park.

“The show’s growth and success over the last 35 years is due largely to the expertise offered by the exhibitors, having a venue large enough to accommodate this show and our ongoing commitment to focus specifically on crop production,” Prairieland Park agriculture manager Lori Cates said in a statement.

Exhibitions at the 2018 show are expected to cover a wide range of topics, including crop production practices, agricultural equipment, herbicides and pesticides, seed bed preparation, straw and chaff management and grain handling, processing and transportation.

The show runs in conjunction with the CropSphere agricultural conference, which runs this week at TCU Place.