The massive cold air mass that parked itself over much of North America hasn’t cooled the spirits of the organizers of this year’s Manitoba Ag Days farm show in Brandon.
Ag Days General Manager Kristen Phillips said it’s always great when those long months of planning come together. “It’s absolutely wonderful to see the show started and running with everybody here.”
However, the weather did throw a couple of wrinkles into the plans.
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“We’ve had a couple of speakers that weren’t able to make flights, but we’ve pivoted, and we’ve got a couple of virtual presentations and a couple of video presentations. But other than that, we’re in great shape,” said Phillips.
The speakers who couldn’t make it were Dr. Breanne Tidemann, who was scheduled to do a presentation on integrated weed management on Tuesday morning, and federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay.
Breanne Tidemann will now have a virtual presentation, and MacAulay has provided a pre-recorded video of his speech scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
Phillips credits being able to overcome the weather issues with great relationships and understanding of everyone involved.
“We definitely had our challenges getting people in, but our exhibitors were amazing. Everybody worked together, and people were patient,” she said.
Judging by the crowds lining up at Brandon’s Keystone Centre early on Tuesday, it’s looking like the cold is having little effect on attendance this year.
But Phillips says it would take a lot to keep hardy Manitoba agriculture enthusiasts away from the popular annual show. Certainly, a cold-snap in mid-January is not unexpected, but Phillips
says despite what happens before and after the show, the coldest part o the winter always seems to land during Ag Days.
“It was -5 C last week, and it’s -5 C next week, and it’s -40C for Ag Days,” she said with an eye-roll and a chuckle.
