Ag in Motion, Western Canada’s only outdoor farm show, is a haven for livestock producers who come to take in handling demonstrations with live cattle and sheep and get information from over 100 exhibitors that share animal health, crop and feed mixing tips.
Lisa Guenther, editor of Canadian Cattleman magazine, attends Ag in Motion each year to see innovative technology and uncover new practical information as inspiration and ideas for readers.
Guenther grew up on a cow-calf operation and was a journalist for Glacier FarmMedia’s publications Grainews and Country Guide before becoming editor of Canada’s only national beef sector magazine.
Read Also
Growing Canada’s beef herd: CCA’s priorities working with new federal government
This is my first column since the federal election. The Canadian Cattle Association works with all elected officials and parliamentarians, regardless…
“All our publications have a history of high editorial standards,” Guenther says. “I want to do a really good job for our Canadian Cattlemen readers, so farmers know they’re getting reliable information.”
Guenther says there are three key ways producers can get information at an outdoor farm show like Ag in Motion.
1. Up close working knowledge
Ag in Motion’s Livestock Central, presented by KWS Hybrid Rye, is a themed area that occupies a sizable portion of the southwest area of the trade show. Guenther feels that seeing animals and equipment up close in the field can make a significant difference for producers.
“Whether it’s livestock or machinery demonstrations, or the crop plots, you get to see what it actually looks like, how it works, and — if it’s a new or different variety – how it grows.”
2. Connection to the farm community
Guenther notes that farmers and ranchers spend most of their year alone on their farms. She says that shows like Ag in Motion give them a chance to get off the farm and connect with others to see what’s new.
“It’s a great way to connect to the larger farm community,” she says. “People learn from their peers just like any other profession. Farmers and ranchers are no different that way.”
3. Uncovering new ideas
A key benefit of farm shows is that they feature the latest business and production information for farmers and ranchers so they can make informed decisions on their own operation.
“I guarantee somebody else has an idea that can help others do things better,” she says. “You might not apply it the exact same way on your operation, but there’s always ideas to improve what you’re doing.”
“Ag in Motion creates a culture of open-mindedness,” Guenther adds. “Many Ag in Motion visitors and exhibitors are also commercial producers. They’re looking to learn something new. If you have a mindset of continuous learning, that’s going to serve you really well in farming and ranching because things are always changing.” To see Lisa Guenther revealing livestock innovation at Ag in Motion, watch the streaming documentary Welcome to the Farm Show “Working Cattle” episode.
