Farmers from from and wide made their way to Woodstock, Ont. on Tuesday for the start of Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show. The three-day event brings together agriculture enthusiasts interested in the latest technology and developments that can help them cultivate their careers. “It’s an annual show that brings in about 600 to 650 different companies from the industry that demonstrate and exhibit all their different technologies, whether it’s equipment or genetics or farming practices,” explained show director Rob O’Connor. The show has been held in Woodstock, which has called itself ‘the dairy capital of Canada’ for over 30 years now. Participants can enjoy a variety of demonstrations including high-speed tillage and baling. They can also see cattle of all ages in the livestock building. Another big draw for many attendees is the advanced technology available for purchase, including autonomous tractors and drones. “We take for granted how we practice agriculture in Canada,” said O’Connor. “When you go to other jurisdictions that practice the same type of agriculture, they’re doing things that are 20 and 30 years behind us.” This year’s event is also drew in international buyers visiting with Canadian manufacturers. “We just had a busload of people come in from Belgium and we’ll have a group from Australia who spent some time in North America,” said O’Connor. The show runs until Thursday, opening every morning at 8:30 a.m. and closing at 5 p.m. “It’s definitely an opportunity for everybody to come, take a look and learn about agriculture and the food that’s being produced,” O’Connor added.
