It’s the new and shiny equipment that gets the lion’s share of attention, but the other part of the Ag-Expo and North American Seed Fair is worth a look, too.
This year’s edition of the seed fair is the 126th, making it one of the oldest such fairs in Western Canada.
“It’s the oldest ribboning show in Canada so it’s got quite an array of different seeds,” said show manager Dave Fiddler. “It encompasses all ages and all types of seed from the pedigreed seed growers of Western Canada.”
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There are more than two dozen classes, with cereals, pulse crops, forage seed and forage being the main ones. There are also two classes in the seed cleaning plant competition (one for quality of seed cleaning and one for seed treatment) and a ‘display’ category for crops not included in the other 25 classes, such as ancient grains.
There are two main categories, one for pedigree seed growers and one for juniors. Entrants in the latter must be ages 9 to 18, and must prepare the samples themselves.
The pedigree classes require extensive documentation, including crop certificate number, lot number, grade, germination and the lab where the test was done. The two-kilogram samples must come from a lot of at least three tonnes (110 bushels).
A panel of five judges set aside one day to examine each entry. They assess each batch of seed for colour, soundness and plumpness and look for weed seeds and indicators of disease. The panel consists of farmers and other industry professionals.
Entries must come from the farm of those submitting them, but they can be grown anywhere in North America. As of late January, there were 150 entries but Fiddler was expecting many more before the Feb. 3 deadline. The number of youth entries has been particularly strong this year, he said.
“It’ll be right full. We expect really good entries.”
All entries can be found on the seed floor of the south pavilion of the Lethbridge and District Exhibition Park from Feb. 28 to March 2.
First-place winners will be announced at an awards reception March 2 at 2 p.m. in Heritage Hall.
“It’s a stand-up reception and the public is welcome to attend,” said Fiddler.
