Numbers strong for ‘Ag Days’ trade show

If the number of booths is any indication, this year’s Rainy River Ag Days and Trade Show could be the biggest yet.
Ag Days organizer Kim Jo Calder said yesterday the trade show portion, which runs April 16-17, already looks like it’s going to be bigger than last year’s.
“It looks like we’re having about 25-30 booths,” she noted, with ETA Contracting, Emo Feed, Gillons’ Insurance, and the Environmental Farm Plan Association all renting space just to name a few.
“We’re going to have a very good representation from the business sector in displays and booths,” said Lyle Wheatley, secretary/treasurer of the local Soil and Crop Improvement Association.
“It looks good from that angle,” he added.
“What’s nice about that is [the trade show] will go on Friday night while we’re having the Rainy River Federation of Agriculture dinner and dance,” noted Calder.
Both Calder and Wheatley hoped the strong turnout from the business community for the trade show will mean an extra strong one from the public for the rest of Ag Days.
“We have a really good agenda [of speakers] so I can’t see why you wouldn’t want to go,” Calder said.
“And there’s going to be a lot of door prizes–some pretty good prizes, too, in my opinion,” added Wheatley.
One aspect of Ag Days the organizers are hoping to add more life to this year is the seed fair and forage competition. After last year’s low number of entries, Wheatley has been taking extra steps to drum up interest again in what he said is one of the few seed fairs left in Ontario.
“Our people have distributed programs across the district and there are announcements going on a couple of radio stations,” he noted. “I made up a sign today to put [along the highway in Barwick].”
All entries for the seed fair and competition must be in between 8-10 a.m. Friday, with judging taking place Saturday.
Categories will include first- and second-cut hay, first-cut silage/haylage, second-cut haylage, small grain silage, corn silage, oilseeds (canola/flax/beans), grain, legume seeds, vegetables, and innovative devices.
“I’ve had people . . . asking how things are lined up for the seed fair,” Wheatley said. “Definitely people are noticing it.”
Neither Calder or Wheatley knew if Spring Fever Days in Emo would have an effect on turnout for Ag Days but both seemed optimistic there would be enough people for both events.
“Possibly people could go and put their names in for Spring Fever Days and then come down to Barwick,” Calder said. “We’re hoping [Spring Fever Days] works with this, too.”