Brad Crammond lights up when he talks about the annual showcase that runs during Manitoba Ag Days at the Keystone Centre.
As Ag Innovations Committee chair, he knows the showcase is a favourite attraction at Canada’s largest indoor farm show. This year it features 32 entries that can all be seen in person.
“I think this year is going to be a real celebration because of the two years we haven’t been able to host the show in person,” said Crammond. “We’re very excited.”
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This is the fourth year for the Innovation Showcase, formerly called the Inventor’s Showcase, and first and second prizes have already been awarded to two entrants. There were no particular classifications for different types of new technology on display so, in addition to changing the name, the committee expanded the showcase to more than 30 entries sorted into seven different categories.
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“At first it wasn’t encompassing of all the new technology, products and services that are hitting the industry now and there’s so many great ones that we knew we had to add categories,” Crammond said. “There were so many covering such a wide range and we had to give all these products their due.”
The Innovation Showcase Committee identified these categories:
- Agronomics: Awarded to the company that has developed a new technology that improves crop production including innovation in genetics, pesticide application (non-mechanical), and the process of producing a crop.
- Animal and Livestock: Awarded to the company that has a new technology that assists in the health and well-being of livestock animals.
- Agriculture Equipment: Awarded to the company that has developed a new equipment concept or technology that assists farmers and agriculture professionals with farming application.
- Agribusiness Services: Awarded to the company that has developed a new technology that assists farmers and agriculture professionals with the management of their farm business and clients.
- Ag Tech: Awarded to the company that has developed a new concept or technology that assists farmers and agriculture professionals with farming applications.
- Farm Safety: Awarded to the company that has developed a new product that assists farmers and agriculture professionals with safety being of the utmost importance.
- Farm Built Solutions: Awarded to the exhibitor that has developed a concept or technology that assists farmers and agriculture professionals with farming applications.
“The last one is probably our most popular one because it’s that grassroots invention that comes out of the farm shop,” Crammond said. “We always had the biggest uptake on that and it’s really no different in the new Innovations Showcase. It’s very popular.”
Applications are handled through the website and any exhibitors may apply. New exhibitors are placed in Barn 4 whenever possible and each booth is marked with an Innovation Showcase teardrop so visitors know they’re innovators. Anyone may enter but there is one important qualification.
“Your product or service has to be in its first year of release in Canada,” Crammond said. “You apply to the Ag Days management team on our website, tell us you’re interested in joining the Innovations Showcase and we’ll get you in.”
This year has been excellent for new and novel technology and Crammond said he is delighted with the strong list of innovators. As chair of the committee, he and the others talk with all the innovators, take a good look at their technology and learn where they got their ideas and how they brought them to reality.
“They’re brilliant individuals and it’s just a real honour to be able to interact and talk with these people, pick their brains and see where these products come from,” Crammond said. “It really is inspirational in some ways.”
Once the entrants are interviewed and their products are assessed, the committee selects what it sees as the best of the best and awards a first and second prize for each category.
First prize is $500 and a $1,000 advertising package with Glacier FarmMedia, the publisher of the Manitoba Co-operator and Ag Days’ partner in the Innovation Showcase. Second prize is $250 and a $500 advertising package. Winners also receive a banner and a mat they can display at their business.
Crammond said he is pleased to give people a place to show their stuff and just being there is a good prize.
“The biggest prize of being in the innovation showcase is just the exposure,” he said. “A lot of these companies are small start-ups that haven’t had the exposure to the broad market. We give them the platform to really showcase their products, we do a lot of advertising, we really push it at the show and it’s always the biggest draw.
“That’s where the people really see the value. Even if they’re not a winner in the showcase, their products get noticed and there’s just a massive amount of successful products that have come out of the showcase.”
Visit the Manitoba Ag Days website to view the entrants at this year’s show.
