The 80th annual London Farm Show took place last week that attracted thousands of farmers from Southwestern Ontario. There was plenty being showcased with over 300 exhibitors and 300,000 square feet of exhibitor space.
The main spectacles at the show were the newest line of farming vehicles, especially a pesticide spraying helicopter. The helicopter would be a big investment for any farmer, but the results could be worth it. Other than much more accurate spreading, the main benefit of the helicopter is that it would never damage crops. A tractor going through a field will run some over but the helicopter would just hover over the field.
Other than showcasing their newest technologies, there was a common theme between exhibitors: North America is behind Europe in the agricultural world. The laws have changed in Europe forcing farmers to be more precise.
Kale Wilson of Amazone, said North America is trying to catch up “Europe has a lot more regulations so they’re more precise… where as North America is a little behind that. Farmers have more leniency in a regulations perspective, but they’re trying to catch up because its all about being precise.”
Martin Brunnell was another exhibitor at the show, said farmers here in North America aren’t scared of running out of water.
“The water is not an issue here but in Europe and South America they have to pay for the water so they are a lot more conservative and precise” Brunnell said.
In a world of limited resources it is only a matter of time before laws and regulations start being put in place here in North America. Every little change will cost farmers so don’t expect farmers to make this change out of the goodness of their hearts. If North America wants to catch up in the agricultural world it starts with the government putting in some regulations.
