Seed fair an Ag Expo tradition

Posted on March 2, 2017 by Westwind Weekly

J.W. Schnarr
Westwind Weekly News

The North American Seed Fair is the oldest part of the annual Ag Expo and continues to highlight quality products from the growing region since its inception in 1897.

“The seed fair was basically the first event the Exhibition did 120 years ago,” said event manager Doug Kryzanowski.

The event, which takes place in the South Pavilion at Exhibition Park as part of the Ag Expo, provides an opportunity for local farmers to check out new seed developments and will feature more than 100 samples.

An awards reception is planned for Friday afternoon.

“The seed fair has been a large component (of the Ag Expo) over the years,” Kryzanowski said. “Obviously it fits in with the farming and ranching component.”

As crop sciences advance, Kryzanowski said that information is vital for growers when it comes tome to make their crop decisions.

“You have to ask, where would the food come from if it wasn’t for the farmers?” he asked. “Not so much tomorrow, but certainly, 20 to 80 years from now.”

“That kind of development has to be brought forward and be shared, and that’s an important component of the seed fair.”

Kryzanowski said growers take pride in the quality of their seed, and that there are a number of different traits they look for depending on the specific needs of their growing region.

“All the soils are different,” he said. “And you get many crops being rotated from year to year. So you might have flax one year and canola another year. There are lots of variances and ways to grow.”