Manitoba Ag Days ‘exceeds expectations’

Manitoba Ag Days wrapped up its three-day run at Brandon’s Keystone Centre on Thursday, with organizers describing the 2026 show as a major success marked by strong energy, innovation and business activity across the ag sector.

The event, which ran from Tuesday to Thursday last week, exceeded expectations despite challenging winter weather conditions, general manager Kristen Phillips told the Sun on Saturday.

“The buzz in the atmosphere was incredible,” Phillips said. “You could literally hear the enthusiasm in the crowd, and that is incredible.”

While final attendance figures are still being compiled and are not expected until later in the week, Phillips said that overall numbers are likely to be slightly lower than the past year.

“Tuesday was above average, Wednesday slightly below, and Thursday slightly below average,” she said.

Phillips said that attendance numbers alone do not define the success of the show.

“Ag Days is a show of business,” she said. “Our goal is to bring the ag community together, and I truly believe that we did that.”

Phillips said feedback from exhibitors has been overwhelmingly positive, with many describing the 2026 show as their best ever. Exhibitors have already begun sharing sales figures and lead information with organizers, reinforcing the show’s reputation as a key business-to-business event in Western Canadian agriculture.

“One thing I’ve heard repeatedly is that the quality of people who attend Ag Days is exceptional,” she said. “They are there to do business, and as an organizer, that’s all I can ask for.”

Innovation remained a central theme of this year’s event, building on the “prairie-made” focus highlighted ahead of the show. Phillips said the Innovation Showcase Program continues to distinguish Manitoba Ag Days from other agricultural trade shows, adding that new products are judged by farmers themselves.

This year, 28 new products were launched at the show, while cutting-edge technologies such as agricultural drones drew significant attention from attendees. Some of the drones on display included models capable of carrying up to 180 litres, underscoring the rapid pace of technological advancement in the industry.

“Ag never stops,” Phillips said. “Technology is coming and changing so quickly, and we know it’s going to change our industry.”

She said that while drones are not yet approved for chemical spraying in Canada, they are already being used for mapping, diagnostics and land management projects, with broader adoption expected in the future.

Other highlights included the Prairie-Made Marketplace, which Phillips said saw increased purchasing activity compared to last year, and well-attended keynote presentations and speaker sessions that helped drive daily attendance.

Manitoba Ag Days also recognized excellence among exhibitors, awarding Best in Show to Degelman Industries Ltd. for outstanding booth presentation, communication and overall exhibitor excellence. In addition, 13 Innovation Showcase awards were presented across seven categories.

Planning is already underway for the 2027 event, which will mark Manitoba Ag Days’ 50th anniversary, she said. Four speakers are already booked, with formal planning set to begin in February.

“We’re a not-for-profit show run by farmers, for farmers,” she said. “Every person involved is incredibly passionate about what we do, and that’s what makes this event special.”

Phillips also expressed appreciation to the City of Brandon for hosting the event and supporting the influx of visitors.

“When you bring about 40,000 people into a city in three days, the whole city has to get behind it,” she said. “We’re very grateful for the hospitality and warmth Brandon shows to our exhibitors and patrons.”

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