The Keystone Centre in the southern end of Brandon was a hive of activity on Jan. 20, as exhibitors and organizers of the Manitoba Ag Days set up for the 2025 show opening, the following day.
It will be the 48th event for what has grown into Canada’s largest indoor farm show.
Running from Jan. 21 to 23, Ag Days draws visitors from across Canada and the United States. The show has become a destination for agricultural production expertise, technological advance and equipment.
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Teresa Hildebrand, Manitoba Ag Days media co-ordinator, likens the activity leading up to the event to a well-oiled machine.
This year, there were some potential wrenches in the works. The province was still working through the impacts of a weather system that had blanketed the province in blizzard conditions Jan. 17, leading to vehicle pileups and highway closures. That was immediately followed by a deep freeze.
Extreme cold warnings were issued for all of agricultural Manitoba, eastern and central Saskatchewan and most of Ontario as vendors moved in Jan. 20, conditions that had already lasted for several days.
“As soon as the roads were open, people were making every effort to get here,” Hildebrand said. “It’s been a big team effort, but it’s all come to play like it should, and we’re feeling like a team.”
What’s at the show?
This year’s theme – Produced on the Prairies – is meant to showcase the contribution of agriculture to the Prairies, Canada and the world at large. New this year, the FCC Pavilion will feature the “Produced on the Prairies Market,” featuring food and beverages.
“The food and vendor market really showcases how agricultural products end up for consumers and customers. We’re really interested to see people’s feedback on that new aspect of it,” Hildebrand said. “There will be different vendors in the room each day, which is also something that we don’t do in the rest of the show.”
Tuesday morning starts off with events including speaker sessions from the Manitoba Canola Growers Association in the FCC Theatre, professional development sessions in the MNP Theatre. Those two auditoriums will feature over 60 speakers throughout the three-day show. Certified crop advisor credits are available.
On Wednesday, Jan. 22, sessions will be held on topics such as sustainability, integrated pest management and nutrient management, crop management, research, drone spraying, and more.
The final day’s session highlights include nutrient management, pest control, geopolitics and livestock information.
The Innovation Showcase, with seven categories and 35 exhibitors, is another spotlight of the show, Hildebrand added.
“The beauty of the Innovation Showcase is that it’s that jumping-off point. There are so many new startups that have launched…bringing that product to consumers. This is a huge opportunity for that, and a huge opportunity for consumers to get connected with (new products) and how it might work in (their) operations.”
Ag in the Classroom Manitoba will also once again be giving Manitoba students an Ag Days experience. The Ag in the Classroom’s Manitoba Ag Days Adventure has historically brought students to the show to highlight future agricultural careers and general knowledge of the sector. This year, that will run on the first and last days of the show.
“They’re going through different agricultural experiences,and really seeing the whole industry, the whole gamut of how they can contribute to agriculture,” Hildebrand said.
Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn believes Manitoba Ag Days highlights and celebrates the importance of the agricultural industry.
“The men and women who drive Manitoba’s agribusiness sector help contribute over $4 billion to the province’s economy and deserve our gratitude and respect,” Kostyshyn said in a press release Jan. 20. “Manitoba farmers, in particular, embody resilience and hard work, ensuring food security and economic growth for our province.”
Manitoba Ag Days runs from Tuesday to Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Admission is $20 per day, or $40 for a three-day pass.
Stay locked into our Manitoba Ag Days 2025 landing page for show news, video and more.
