Our virtual event is an interactive, online experience, providing ag retailers with an opportunity to educate themselves through informative sessions and group discussions, engage with exhibitors and other attendees to build new connections and evolve to provide the best service for their customers.

So much can change in a year. In February 2020, I thought I had a pretty clear idea of what was ahead of me as far as my agriculture-focused career went. I had just left my position as a corporate director of recruitment with a national line company and joined a recruiting firm, specializing in all aspects of agriculture shortly after.

The ag industry showed strength and unity in the face of the many challenges presented in 2020.

COVID-19 drastically changed how ag retailers conducted business in 2020. As an essential service, businesses in all areas of the agriculture industry had to find innovative ways to pivot their norm in a world that changed overnight.

Many of the issues people working in Canadian agriculture faced for the majority of 2020 will continue for at least the next six to nine months. Social distancing and limitations on face-to-face business activities will continue until most citizens that seek to be vaccinated have successfully done so.

Autonomous equipment and precision application systems have the potential to disrupt the application of the traditional inputs, which some say will ultimately benefit retailers.

David Parker, executive vice president of FLM Harvest and the opening presenter at the 2021 Virtual CAAR Conference, says farmers trust their retailer's expertise and would likely consult them on new ag products and trends.

The CAAR Communicator sits down for a Q&A with Michael Gaumont, vice president of operations at McEwen’s Fuels and Fertilizers, and Russ Reich, vice president of crop inputs at Richardson International, to learn about their journey through the ag retail industry and involvement with the CAAR board.