EDMONTON, AB – Farmfair International came to an end on Sunday after a five-day showcase that celebrated Alberta’s rich agricultural sector and drew international buyers from Argentina, Australia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, South Africa, Spain, United Kingdom, United States and Mexico to Edmonton to purchase genetics and stock from our Alberta ranchers.
“Farmfair is one of Canada’s largest livestock shows,” says Northlands CEO Peter Male. “This year’s event stayed true to our mandate of showcasing and supporting local farmers and exhibitors.”
Despite a tough agricultural year in Alberta, the 2019 event drew the agriculture industry to Edmonton to take part in cattle shows and sales, the Heritage Ranch Rodeo, Champion of the World, and the Extreme Cowboy Competition among other events. We were very excited to have the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine onsite to do a sold-out calving workshop, the River City Chickens doing a sold-out urban chicken course, and other industry experts onsite to provide technical learning.
Through Farmfair International, Northlands also supported the community through programs such as 4-H Alberta, the BMO Farm Family Awards, Explore Agriculture, a partnership with the Edmonton Public Library, and a $2,500 scholarship to Junior Futurity Beef.
Farmfair International 2019 by-the-numbers:
- Over 1,500 Edmonton-area students attended on field trips
- 12 countries represented by International buyers
- Over 1,100 cattle entries
- Over 2,600 people attended Heritage Ranch Rodeo
- 16 working ranches represented by Heritage Ranch Rodeo
- 13 families recognized at the 50th annual BMO Farm Family Awards
- Approximately 9,724 feet of steel set up on the site
- Over 367,000 lbs of hay and straw in round and square bales
- Over 600,000 lbs of wood chips for the cattle barns
“Farmfair International remains the anchor event for agriculture in our region. Today, we are as committed as ever to Farmfair, and its important role in our province,” says CEO Peter Male. “While we are still feeling the effects of the loss of the Canadian Finals Rodeo in 2017, we have had a reasonably good year. We have had many conversations on the future of Farmfair International and will continue to build on the strength of the event to bring it to a wider audience.”
Final attendance numbers are still being calculated. Planning is now underway for next year’s event, scheduled for November 11 – 15, 2020 at the Edmonton EXPO Centre. For more information about Northlands visit: northlands.com.