The Rural Voice, 1998-09, Page 30Out in the
fields in
Woodstock
With more crop test
plots, livestock
displays,
eqiupment demos
and guest speakers,
this year's Outdoor
Farm Show
promises something
great.
De -mystifying biotechnology
working robotic milkers
commercial hemp plots
exotic livestock, a mystery tractor
and more field demonstrations —
these are just some of the highlights
at this year's Outdoor Farm Show.
Since it started five years ago,
tianada's Outdoor Farm Show has
grown steadily. Organizers expect
record crowds of over 27,000 people
at this year's show in Woodstock,
September 8-10.
Now considered the largest
outdoor display of agricultural
products in Canada, the Outdoor
Farm Show draws people from
across southern Ontario.
This year over 400 exhibitors will
display their wares, a 25 per cent
increase over last year. Organizers
expect the exhibitors to bring in $250
million worth of farm equipment to
the site for the three-day event.
"Looking at what's lined up right
now, 1 would say that 1998 is going
to be our best year ever," said Ginty
Jocius, president of the show.
An exciting feature at this year's
show is the industrial hemp plot and
product information tent. Test plots
have been grown on the show site in
Woodstock to show farmers the
crop's potential.
"We've seen the potential of
industrial hemp; it's going to be an
important part of Canadian
26 THE RURAL VOICE
Doug Wagner, show co-ordinator looks at the industrial hemp plot (top).
Mirage -sired dairy cows will be part of the livestock display (above).
agricultural production in the new
millennium," said Doug Wagner,
show co-ordinator. "As part of our
mandate to keep farmers informed of
new technology, we are providing the
opportunities for farmers to learn
more about this exciting crop at the
show."
With recent changes in federal
legislation that allows Canadian
farmers to cultivate industrial hemp
commercially, the hemp product
information tent at the Outdoor Farm
Show is particularly timely for
farmers.
Aside from hemp, there are close
to 10 acres of test plots on the site.
Almost all of the companies with test
plots at the farm show are using the
opportunity to promote new seed and
chemical products made possible
through biotechnology research.
While products such as Bt corn,
Roundup Ready soybeans and
Colorado Potato Beetle resistant
potatoes are already commercially
available; others like Roundup Ready
corn are in the research stage
awaiting approval by the federal
government.
Show -goers will see these crops in
the 10 acres of test plots on the show
site, plus a special display which
attempts to de -mystify some of the
issues surrounding biotechnology.
A set of comparison test plots was
planted with a variety of crops to
illustrate the point that there is very
little visual difference between
standard crops and their transgenic