SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN – Building on the success of a SREDA program launched last year, four international agricultural technology companies will again be showcased at the Ag in Motion expo at Langham, Sask., July 17 to 19.
The Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA) launched the Agriculture Technology Harvest Program (HARVEST) in 2017 to seek out innovative firms which could advance the business of farming in Saskatchewan. After promoting the program globally, 27 companies applied to the program and four were chosen to appear at Ag in Motion.
The program proved highly successful: one of the companies, PBD Biotech from the United Kingdom, a livestock disease detection firm, has established a Canadian subsidiary in Saskatoon to support its commercial infrastructure.
SREDA is pleased to announce the 2018 HARVEST winners are NRGene Ltd., an Israel-based plant genomics company; Iotag Pty Ltd. of Finley, Australia, developer of a livestock GPS tracking system; Aker Technologies Inc. from Illinois, which has created a high-tech pest and pathogen detection tool; and Holganix LLC of Pennsylvania, maker of 100 per cent natural soil nutrition products for turf and agricultural uses.
“The goal of our HARVEST program is to bring international agriculture technology companies to the Saskatoon Region to show them first-hand the strength of our agriculture industry and the strong potential for local partnerships,” said Alex Fallon, President and CEO, SREDA.
“Ag in Motion is the perfect trade show for these companies to connect with farmers, learn about the Saskatchewan agriculture industry and connect with industry leaders.”
The 2018 winners were chosen by experts representing local and regional agricultural companies, organizations and government: Ag-West Bio, Farm Credit Canada, Farm West Ag, Glacier FarmMedia, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Trade & Export Development, National Research Council Canada, Norseman Structures, Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute.
SREDA provides travel assistance to the winning companies, as well as networking opportunities and space in its Ag in Motion booth.
Ag in Motion, an initiative of Glacier FarmMedia Inc., is Western Canada’s outdoor farm expo and has grown dramatically since its founding four years ago.
“Ag in Motion has moved from a concept, a dream really, to a real life national event showcasing the latest in dryland agriculture equipment, crop and livestock technology,” said Rob O’Conner, Ag in Motion Show Director.
“It employs people from across the country, attracts people from around the globe but the focus remains in Western Canada. As a tourism event it attracts over 160 volunteers from local service groups, plus seasonal staff from the area.”
“The number of events held within Ag in Motion has tripled since last year. Exhibit numbers have increased year over year. Investment into the infrastructure at the site continues as well. In fact the size of the property has doubled. Our goal is to continue the success of Ag in Motion and to develop an event property that will attract large numbers of farmers and ag professionals to the region.”
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For more information and to schedule an interview, please contact:
Erin Lawson
Director, Marketing and Communications
P: (306) 664-0724 / (306) 716-7337 E: elawson@sreda.com
