REGINA – When Bryan and Sherry Mackenzie got back to their home near Pincher Creek, Alta., they still could not believe their good fortune.
Not only had their two-year-old Red Angus bull been named supreme champion bull at the Canadian Western Agribition, but also there was a heavy blanket of snow covering their dried out pastures Nov. 25.
“This will give everyone some optimism,” said an elated Bryan after the show.
The bull, owned jointly with Bymoen Angus of Simmie, Sask., has been travelling and winning the show circuit all season. It was grand champion at Swift Current, Edmonton’s Farmfair and the Northern International Livestock Exhibition in Billings, Montana.
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Plans are to send Red Brylor Stallion 19J to stud to collect semen.
Then the owners are going to decide whether to send it to the Denver, Colorado, National Livestock Show in January.
“After a win like this, we might just retire him,” said Bryan.
The supreme female was a two-year-old Charolais cow with a big bull calf at side. Named JSR Jazz 5J, it was owned and exhibited by Vogeli Bros. of Maymont, Sask. This cow was also grand champion at Lloydminster Round Up and Farmfair, as well as supreme champion at the Prince Albert Exhibition.
This year’s supreme beef challenge saw about 120 animals from all the major livestock shows in Canada, as well as several American shows. After scoring each animal, the five judges turned in their sheets and the top 10 animals were announced before the final winners got the slap on the rump as best of the best.
Owners of supreme winners each receive a cheque for $10,000, a one-year lease on a 27-foot stock trailer, and a bale loader, and numerous smaller prizes donated by show sponsors.
For many livestock people, Agribition is a week of exuberance in November. Some of Canada’s finest animals go on display and everything is for sale. Often as many deals are made in the alleyways and stalls as those coming under the auctioneer’s gavel.
Although the 2001 version of Agribition was shortened to six days, the show still added some new events.
Internet access was available to view the Canadian National Bison Sale, Saskatchewan Elk Breeders Association video sale, and cowhorse and ranch horse competitions and sale.
While the internet hookup provided a wider audience, president Gary Anderson said Agribition is not going to become a virtual event.
“We will always see animals at Agribition,” he said.
Beef entries increased this year.
“It made full barns and the overall optimism in the beef industry made it a good show,” Anderson said.
Sale highlights include a Red Angus bull calf selling for $53,000, a three-quarter interest of $24,000 for a Charolais bull calf, $14,500 for a Simmental bull, $10,750 for a five-year-old bay gelding from the ranch horse competition and $9,500 for a Belgian gelding in the draft horse competition.
It is anticipated the final gate count will be about 150,000 visitors including nearly 500 international guests.
Anderson said organizers expect the event will earn almost $100,000 profit.
Last year, Agribition lost about $260,000, prompting organizers to shorten the event by two days, among other cost-cutting measures.
