REGINA – Roofless but not toothless, Regina’s Canadian Western Agribition has opened for another year.
As one of the world’s largest agriculture shows, Agribition organizers are anticipating 150,000 people to pass through the gates this year, slightly fewer than last year’s 153,000.
Some of those folks will notice there are 34,000 square feet of walls and floors without ceiling. The new Stockman’s Arena fell victim to the success of the exhibition park this past summer. A heavy schedule at the grounds, including the International Fire and Police Games, left the park too busy to complete construction, said Wayne Gamble, show manager.
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Agribition organizers had to shuffle events and stables to make room.
“Somehow everything seems to still fit in here. I am not sure how, though,” said Gamble.
Fears that the extra space might not have been needed due to a tight farm economy have been mostly unfounded, said the organizer.
“Some of the trade show people dropped out. But we had a long list of folks who wanted in, so all those spots were easily filled with new exhibitors and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing,” said Gamble.
A few purebred cattle producers have left the show this year. Hereford producers focused on the Northlands Farmfair in Edmonton, where the breed’s national show and sale took place. Other, smaller producers have said shows in Saskatoon and Lloydminster are cheaper to attend because they are shorter and better timed. Last season Agribition was moved ahead one week, pushing it up against the Saskatoon Fall Fair and Mexibition.
“Producers tell me they can now show cattle from the end of October to the beginning of December and never bother going home. For smaller producers that might not work out as well,” said Rudy Friesen, manager of the Saskatoon event.
Gamble said producers who don’t rely on international sales or who have more regional markets might be forced to choose between the smaller prairie shows and Agribition.
“All of the sale managers will be getting together after the season is over to discuss the impact the changes in the schedule has had,” said Gamble.
