REGINA (Staff) — International visitors to this year’s Agribition expressed amazement that the annual livestock show had reached such vast proportions after only six years in existence.
Last year visitors registered from more than 20 countries, and this year overseas delegations of livestock specialists from Europe, Africa, Great Britain and South America had a look at Western Canadian livestock.
The 1976 Agribition expanded to include shows of Maine-Anjou, Salers, Simmentals, Lincoln Red, and Beefalo cattle breeds, as well as a highly successful quarter horse show and sale.
John Hearth, chief executive of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, said he was most impressed with the livestock auctions held in conjunction with the shows. He said in England there is a traditional and fixed pattern of annual livestock sales around the country which do not necessarily coincide with the famous Royal Agricultural Show.
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The world-famous English livestock show has been in existence since 1839. Mr. Hearth said Agribition, which has been held since 1971, has made great strides during its short lifetime.
He said in order to make Agribition even better, he would suggest larger facilities and more staff, with greater emphasis on farm machinery and home interest programs.
Over 4000 head of livestock were entered in this year’s Agribition, most of them beef cattle of 18 different breeds. Following are some of the results.
Aberdeen Angus
The Aberdeen Angus sale saw eight bulls and 38 females sold for a total of $60,810, averaging $1322. The top selling animal was a female consigned by Peak Dot Angus Ranch, Wood Mountain, Sask., which sold for $4000 to J.N. Delorme, Consul, Alta.
Beefalo
A sale of 38 beefalo on Nov. 27 brought $18,250, with an average of $480. Top selling animal was contributed by Paul Froehler, Strome, Alta., and purchased by Don Snyder, Ponoka, Alta., for $3400.
Blonde d’Aquitaine
A fullblood bull consigned by Peter Robeson, Cochrane, Alta., was the top selling animal at the Dec. 1 sale. It was bought for $5200 by Ron Wilkinson, Brandon, Man. Twenty-nine and a half lots were sold for a total of $46,750, averaging $1585.
Chianina
Twenty-six Chianina animals were sold Nov. 29 for a total of $85,425, and an average of $3286. Top seller was a fullblood bred cow consigned by Gord Peters, Rapid City, Man., and purchased by L. Wylie Dixon, Carievale, Sask. for $8000.
Charolais
Fifty-five lots of Charolais animals were auctioned for a sale total of $110,985, averaging $2018. Top seller was a purebred bred female consigned by Gold-Bar Livestock, Ariss, Ont. C. Romanelli, Bradford, Ont., purchased the cow for $5500 and the fetus was purchased by Barry Blixhaun, Killarney, Man., for $1000, making a total price of $6500.
Gelbvieh
A Gelbvieh sale held Nov. 29 saw 19 lots sold for a total of $22,385, averaging $1178. Top selling animal was a fullblood female consigned by Farmation Cattle Co, Calgary, Alta. and purchased by George J. Rankin, Ferdig, Montana, for $3200.
Maine-Anjou
Sixty-seven animals were auctioned at a Nov. 30 sale with an average of $2094 and a sale total of $140,300. A fullblood bull consigned by Bruce Chatterson & Sons, Wolseley, Sask., was the top seller. It was purchased by S.L. Wilson, Lenore, Man., for $6700.
Marchigiana
Thirty animals were sold Nov. 30 for a sale total of $51,685, averaging $1723. S.B. Parker, Gilbert Plains, Man., consigned the top selling animal, a fullblood bred female which sold for $6800 and was purchased by Keith Ryan, Dickens, Montana.
Tarentaise
Thirty-six animals were auctioned for a total of $60,050, averaging $1669. Top selling animal was a fullblood bull consigned by Victor Maris, Edson, Alta., and sold for $5500 to Darrell McCracken, Ledger, Montana.
