When Canada was awarded the World Angus Forum six years ago, planning began almost immediately.
Working with an army of volunteers, the Canadians decided to put on a memorable show at Calgary.
The result was more than 1,000 head of Red and Black Angus cattle, nearly 800 registered delegates from 20 countries and hundreds more who trooped through the gates of Spruce Meadows July 13-16.
The forum offered technical sessions for delegates plus four shows, a sale and western hospitality.
Canada last hosted the forum in 1985.It was attended by the Queen Mother, who was also an Angus breeder who used some Canadian bloodlines, said forum chair John Lee, an Angus producer at Airdrie, Alta.
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A unique aspect of this forum was a youth component that attracted 70 delegates from around the world.
“This was the first time they have had an official youth component,” said Lee. “In North America, youth plays such an important part of our industry, which is not the case in many other countries.”
An international display was another added attraction, where nine countries donated embryos that were implanted in Alberta donor cows and raised together at Remington Ranch at Del Bonita.
About 30 ended up in the program and studies were conducted to assess genetic diversity.
The Spruce Meadows venue, a well-known equestrian centre more accustomed to show jumping and horse festivals than cattle, proved attractive to participants.
“There have never been cattle here before and they embraced it right from the beginning,” Lee said.
The 300 acre site offers 160,000 sq. feet of display, cattle barns and show ring space.
– Duckworth
