‘The Saskatchewan area is our dream:’ Ukrainian vendor prepares for farm show

Vendors are getting ready for the 45th annual Canada Farm Show in Regina.

Vendors like Eduard Simson are eager to meet Canadian farmers.

Simson is from Ukraine and works with Lozova Machinery. Due to the war in his home country, their agriculture market no longer exists in the same way. Simson said his company tried to expand into the European market but found it was too different from Ukraine.

When he heard about the Canada Farm Show, he said he knew it would be a great opportunity, as Canada’s landscape is similar to that of Ukraine. He said this is his first time at the farm show, but Saskatchewan feels very similar to his homeland.

“When I was landing by airplane, it was (a) typical Ukrainian picture,” he said. “The Saskatchewan area is our dream.”

There are certain travel restrictions set in Ukraine because of the war, but Simson said he was able to attend this show because it was on a specific list set out by the Ukraine government. It was the only farm show in Canada to appear on that list.

Simson said his equipment is specifically designed to be low-maintenance, and the machines can go several years without service.

“It means that they don’t need the change lubrication, they don’t need all these dirty services. Everything is closed and guaranteed for years. This is, is our understanding, quite important for the farmers,” he said.

Low-maintenance machinery is essential for farmers, he explained, as it cuts costs and reduces time away from the field.

Simson said he hopes to expand his network of connections in Canada, and is aiming to find local manufactures in the future.

“We don’t want to make all this assembling in Ukraine. I’m sure that there are engineering companies in Canada we can ship parts to, and make the assembling here,” he said.

Other vendors like Perry Gryde, have been attending the show for over 25 years.

“We’ve really seen the changes and the growth that have occurred with it, and look forward to what this year has to bring,” he said.

Gryde is the North American Sales Manager for Honey Bee Manufacturing.

He said he’s especially excited to announce a new product from their company on the show’s opening day.

He said his favourite part about the event is running into familiar faces and being able to help farmers find the right products that will work for them.

“We reminisce with them about how things are going on their farm and their outlook on farming for the year,” Gryde said.

The Canada Farm Show runs from Tuesday to Thursday at the REAL district.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is an amended version of this story, correcting the fact the show was held in 2022.