Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show starts 2025 run with a bang

Organizers say good weather fuels optimism and attendance at Woodstock farm show

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Published: September 10, 2025

Rob O'Connor, Canada's Outdoor Farm Show director, at COFS 2025. PHOTO: GORD GILMOUR

The opening day of the 2025 edition of Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show has the Woodstock-area event off to a roaring start.

Buoyed by near-perfect weather conditions, the show gathered steam early in the day, show director Rob O’Connor said.

“We’ve been very fortunate this week with beautiful weather,” O’Connor said. “Everybody is in a great mood, and lots of people are coming through the gate.”

He also noted attendees were lining up before the show opened at 8:30, and once they were admitted, they were greeted by a well-oiled machine that was ready to receive visitors.

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“Our staff should be very proud,” O’Connor said. “The first day was crisp and clean, and everything went very well.”

When the gates opened, attendees quickly filled the site, and numbers grew as the day wore on.

Speaking to Farmtario in late afternoon, Connor said he was still awaiting final attendance figures for the day, but was anticipating a strong daily tally, and perhaps even a first day record.

“If you look right now, down that street, it’s still packed,” he said.

O’Connor said he he noted a positive attitude and optimism both from people approaching him and in conversations he overheard throughout the show site.

“People were impressed by the show, and by the exhibitors, who do a great job,” he said. “Sometimes that gets forgotten. The show really is about them.”

Wednesday highlights will include the AgTech Breakfast from 8:30 to 10:30 at the special events tent, tillage demos (1 P.M.), baling demos (1:30 P.M.) and visits from international, national and provincial dignitaries.

For more coverage of Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show 2025, see our landing page.

About the author

Gord Gilmour

Gord Gilmour

Publisher, Manitoba Co-operator, and Senior Editor, News and National Affairs, Glacier FarmMedia

Gord Gilmour has been writing about agriculture in Canada for more than 30 years. He's an award winning journalist and columnist who's currently the publisher of the Manitoba Co-operator and senior editor, news and national affairs for Glacier FarmMedia. He grew up on a grain and oilseed operation in east-central Saskatchewan that his brother still owns and operates, and occasionally lets Gord work on, if Gord promises to take it easy on the equipment.

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