Early 2021 Ag Events Canceled

Stock Show, World Ag Expo Canceled Due to 'Health and Safety Restrictions'

Russ Quinn
By  Russ Quinn , DTN Staff Reporter
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Both the 2021 National Western Stock Show, which is held in Denver, Colorado, and the 2021 World Ag Expo, held in Tulare, California, were canceled within hours of each other on Monday. (Logos courtesy of the National Western Stock Show and International Agri-Center World Ag Expo)

OMAHA (DTN) -- The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic claimed two more agricultural-related events on Monday. For the first time, events slated for early 2021 were canceled.

The 2021 National Western Stock Show (NWSS) and 2021 World Ag Expo were both canceled due to health and safety restrictions. The events were called off as organizers of both shows said they were not able to figure out plans to allow for large crowds and still follow local and state health and safety restrictions, according to separate news releases.

115TH NWSS CANCELED

The 115th National Western Stock Show will be delayed one year and is set to resume in Jan. 8-23, 2022, according to a news release from the event's organizers: (https://nationalwestern.com/…). The Western Stock Show Board of Directors together with the National Western Stock Show management made the decision.

The continuing pandemic does not allow for the show to host the annual events and comply with the health and safety guidelines in place to protect those attending the show and stop the spring the disease, organizers said in the news release. The environment through the end of the year is too uncertain and not reassuring enough to allow a traditional stock show to take place without potentially compromising the health and safety of exhibitors, visitors and the public at large, according to the release.

"The decision to postpone the 2021 Stock Show is incredibly difficult for our Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, business partners and the City and County of Denver," Doug Jones, chairman of the WSSA, said.

Management reviewed several options, including a modified show with reduced capacity, said Paul Andrews, president and CEO of the NWSS. With health and safety being their top priority, the NWSS and the city of Denver could not find a path forward to have the show and comply with the rules governing large gatherings and social distancing, he said.

Andrews said show management made the announcement to cancel the show early enough because of the intense planning and expenses that go into the NWSS.

"We would like to thank our loyal stock show fans that are standing by us through this unprecedented time in history," Andrews said. "We look forward to celebrating the return of the Stock Show in 2022 with the grand opening of the historic Yards and Stockyards Event Center."

NO 2021 WORLD AG EXPO

There will be no live 2021 World Ag Expo show for the first time in event's 52-year history, according to a news release: (https://www.internationalagricenter.com/….

The International Agri-Center Board of Directors' decision to cancel the 2021 World Ag Expo was not taken lightly and came after months of research and evaluation of future trends and known constraints, the group said in its release. The decision was finalized earlier than the initial November deadline to provide exhibitors, attendees, volunteers and local businesses time to adjust their plans, according the release.

"After working with the Tulare County Health Department and other officials, it has become evident that given health and safety restrictions from the state of California, holding a live, international event is not responsible in February," Jerry Sinift, International Agri-Center CEO, said.

Attendees are encouraged to follow Ag Expo social media channels and watch their email inboxes for more information on World Ag Expo projects throughout 2020 and 2021. The 2022 World Ag Expo is scheduled for Feb. 8-10 at the International Agri-Center in Tulare, California.

Here is a list of some North American ag-related events canceled or delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic:

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Alaska State Fair

California State Fair

Calgary Stampede (Alberta, Canada)

Canadian Western Agribition (Saskatchewan, Canada)

Dakotafest Farm Show (SD)

Edmonton K-Days (Alberta, Canada)

FarmFest Farm Show (MN)

Farm Progress Show (IA)

Husker Harvest Days (NE)

Illinois & Du Quoin State Fairs

Indiana State Fair

Iowa State Fair

Kansas State Fair

Maine (Bangor) State Fair

Minnesota State Fair

Montana State Fair

New Jersey State Fair

Nevada State Fair (Delayed)

North Dakota State Fair

Ohio State Fair

Oregon State Fair

Royal Manitoba Winter Far (Manitoba, Canada)

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (Ontario, Canada)

York State Fair (PA)

Tennessee State Fair

Wisconsin State Fair

Western National Stock Show (2021)

World Ag Expo (2021)

World Dairy Expo (WI)

World Pork Expo (IA)

Russ Quinn can be reached at russ.quinn@dtn.com

Follow him on Twitter @RussQuinnDTN

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