An atmosphere of quiet optimism and strength permeated the barns at Canadian Western Agribition last week.
There wasn’t much evidence of the turmoil the livestock industry has undergone in the last six months, at least not in the attitude of exhibitors and visitors.
That’s exactly what president Larry Brack expected.
“If we create a positive atmosphere here at the show, that’s going to spill over at the gate,” he told reporters as the 33rd edition of the show ended Nov. 29.
Purebred beef entries were up 10 percent, commercial entries climbed by 40 percent and the ranch horse competition and sale drew the largest crowds ever.
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Complete auction sale results and attendance figures were unavailable before Western Producer deadlines, but Brack expected they would be on par with last year.
Private sales began taking place on the first day of the show, well before the purebred cattle events began. Buyers included Americans, who will have to leave their live purchases in Canada until the border opens.
The U.S. border has been closed to live Canadian ruminants since a single case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy was discovered in Alberta in May.
“We know from what (cattle exhibitors) tell us that they are selling to Americans right out of their stalls,” said Agribition general manager Leon Brin. “That is a huge, huge part of Agribition, which is absolutely immeasurable because there’s no way to determine how many dollars are being spent.”
About 500 people from 48 countries and 19 states registered at the International Business Centre. Those numbers are similar to last year’s. Next year’s show runs Nov. 22 to 27.
