In 1978 the group of extension, industry and research people comprising the Wild Oat Action Committee decided a change was needed from the series of meetings they were holding around Manitoba focusing on wild oat control. The result was a Weed Fair, the forerunner of what is now known as Manitoba Ag Days.
It’s doubtful anyone at that time had any idea the event would grow and flourish and develop into the show it is today. That first show was a one day affair held in Brandon in a much smaller Keystone Centre. It was repeated later in the winter at the Convention Centre in Winnipeg. Total exhibitor numbers were about 60. Most attended both shows but a few went to only one or the other. Total visitor attendance for both shows combined was less than 5000. There are still perhaps a dozen of those original exhibitors who participate in the show today.
The original Weed Fair was operated by a cross section of people involved in the agriculture industry in Manitoba and so it is today. The organizing group has expanded to represent a broader cross section of the industry and it is formalized into a non-profit corporation. The show still runs with no admission and derives all its revenue from exhibitor fees and sponsorship.
And one last bit of history the name was changed in 1979 to reflect the broadening scope of the show. The last show held in Winnipeg was in 1992 as the event moved to three days with a permanent Brandon location.
Farm Safety Feature Added
In the mid 1990’s Linda Carter and some colleagues at Manitoba Hydro approached Ag Days with an idea for a farm safety feature. With the Manitoba Co-operator also on board the group put together The Farm Safety Expo for the 1995 show which featured Vigilante Village. The Expo was set up like a small town and visitors could walk down the street and visit various buildings with farm safety information available. There were thirteen various organizations involved in this unique display on farm safety. “Alert Cinema” and “Caution Café” were just a couple of stops available.
Keystone Centre construction in 2005 & 2006 forced a scale back of the safety feature at Ag Days but it was able to re-establish again in 2007 in a different format. This time an area at centre ice in the Westman Arena was devoted to safety displays with several organizations involved. Manitoba Hydro is still a main organizer along with Manitoba Labour & Immigration.
Much of the credit for the farm safety feature right from the very beginning goes to Linda Carter. Linda was one of the people who approached Ag Days about the idea at the start and she remains one of the main organizers today.
A Different Kind of Cattle Show
Back around the same time the farm safety feature was starting two local cattlemen, Blair McRae and Neil Moffatt came up with the idea for a Bull Congress. They explained to the Ag Days organizers this would be a different kind of cattle show where those involved in the production of breeding stock would have a chance to put their animals on display much like any other exhibitor does with their products at Ag Days. It sounded like a unique idea and a good chance to expand more into the livestock area for Ag Days.
The first Bull Congress was held in 1996 and it remains an important part of Manitoba Ag Days today. It’s had its ups and downs with facilities but with the availability of the new Barn 3 in 2007 the Bull Congress has steadily grown. As mentioned elsewhere in this show guide the numbers for this show are the largest ever.
The credit for the success of this event goes to Blair McRae and his organizing committee who make sure the show functions every year.
Keystone Centre Expansion Has Been a Key for Ag Days
Periods of construction in a facility for an organization trying to run an event are always inconvenient to say the least and many times a bit painful. They are however necessary and in the case of Ag Days been instrumental in the show’s success.
There have been three such construction phases for Ag Days. In the early days of the Weed Fair the Keystone Centre was basically what are today the Westman Communications Place Arena, Convention Hall, Hitching Ring and Exhibition Hall. These were all that was available to the show and these were not always used to capacity. In the early to mid 1980’s the Manitoba Room was added. At the time the floor space seemed immense and the large overhead door could accommodate any piece of farm equipment. Ag Days was soon filling the whole room and limited by space.
A major turning point for the show was in 1993 when the UCT Pavillion, Kinsmen & Optimist Arenas, Canada Room and Brandon Curling Club came into being. Manitoba Ag Days transformed from a two day event in each of Brandon and Winnipeg to one three day event in Brandon. With the addition of this space the show grew by leaps and bounds and so did the number of visitors to the show. In a matter of 2-3 years the whole facility was being used and full to capacity.
The last construction phase was just a few years ago when the Ag Centre of Excellence was added along with the Canad Inn. The nearly 100,000 square feet that were added allowed the show to expand to its present size. For the 2012 show there will be over 500 exhibitors. There are still a number on the waiting list and many present exhibitors who would like more space.
