One of the largest trade shows in southern Alberta is underway at the Agri-food Hub and Trade Centre in Lethbridge.
This year, Ag Expo has more than 300 exhibitors showcasing the latest in farming equipment, industry technology, irrigation systems, livestock supplies and seeds.
The annual show, which falls ahead of seeding season, attracts exhibitors from across the world.
One of the exhibitors at the 2025 event is Ontario-based Frontlink Inc., which has its new FarmDroid on display.
It’s the world’s first fully automatic robot to take care of seeding and weeding, all while being driven by solar panels.
“We can put one, two, three, four seeds down each hole and be very, very precise,” said Mark Weber, the Western Canada rep for Frontlink.
“On top of that, with it being automatic, you get that option to do other jobs while this is out there doing the work for you.”
About 15 per cent of Lethbridge’s urban economy comes from agriculture, with more than a billion dollars generated throughout southern Alberta.
“The market down here is so diverse with so many people in different crops,” said Mike Vas, sales manager with Vanee Farm Centre.
“It’s such a big industry, but it’s a tight-knit industry as well, so shows like this are fantastic because everyone can get together.”
While the event is to showcase to farmers and producers, it’s also a chance for those in the industry to see what their peers are doing to improve agriculture.
“You see drones, you see robotic weeders – all to reduce labour, be more efficient, be less dependable on chemicals and to improve quantity and quality of specialty crops that southern Alberta is known for,” said Frank Michielsen, sales manager with PGS Equipment.
The three-day show features a thinkAG Career Fair for Grade 9-12 students, a hospitality-style event, the North American Seed Fair and the return of Machinery Row.
“This is exactly why this building makes sense in this community,” said Paul Kingsmith, director of community engagement with the Lethbridge and District Exhibition.
“It’s to host shows like this where we are not only able to showcase southern Alberta and all that goes on here, but we’re able to bring people into the community.”
Ag Expo runs until Feb. 28.
