It was a hot day at Ag in Motion yesterday, but a lot of people coming through the gates for the first day.

Among the highlights the STARS Field of Dreams Fundraiser Dinner and Auction and the Brett Kissel Concert.

While the final numbers for the fundraiser are not in yet, organizers are pleased.

Ag in Motion Show Director Rob O’Connor says they were pleased to add the Stars Fundraising event to the show noting the importance of STARS to the Province and especially the ag sector and rural areas.

Western Canada’s Outdoor Farm Expo features 459 companies this year and covers a full section of land with the latest in farm equipment and crop technology on display.

The key aspect of the show which sets it apart from other ag shows in Western Canada is the crop plots, exhibitor demos, and field scale demonstrations.

O’Connor says farmers like the concept noting the show which is now into its fourth year has seen a steady growth in attendance.

“The first year of the show we had 11,500; the second year of the show was 16,500. Last year we jumped higher than expectations up to 25,700; so right now we’re speculating anywhere from 25,000 to 30,000 people.”

He notes they are even starting to attract international interest with about 200 international visitors coming in from 8 different countries, including about 100 Australians who were taking in the first day of the show.

The opening ceremony for Ag in Motion was the site of an important announcement for the Agriculture Sector.

Officials from Saskatchewan Polytechnic (formerly SIAST) were on hand to announce the creation of an Ag In Motion Research Chair and an Ag and Food Production Program.

O’Connor says the new partnership is very important for the industry.

“This will give the opportunity for the students to learn how to do some applied research, how to grow some crops, how to maintain and operate heavy equipment that we use in Western Canada. I think what’s really amazing about this opportunity is when the future employer gets those students to their farm or their operation, they’ll know how to operate that equipment, they’ll be familiar with it. They won’t have to worry as much about getting those young people in the field and operating equipment because let’s face it this stuff has great value.”

Jamie Hilts is the Dean of Mining, Energy, and Manufacturing and says they are pleased to be setting up an Ag in Motion Research Chair.

“We’ll be able to work with a variety of enterprises that work within the agriculture field. It could be equipment operation and manufacturing, it could be in the areas of applied research with soils agronomy. Also, just the opportunity for us to be able to use this Research Chair to help promote, present and prepare us as we move into the delivery of a variety of programming specifically related into the agriculture industry of Saskatchewan.”

He notes that the new Ag and Food Production Program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic will begin taking students for the Fall of 2019.