EDMONTON – Australian David Smith came to Canada to buy cattle.
He’s already got his eye on two bulls at the Charolais show at Farmfair. Before he leaves, he will have a serious conversation about taking semen home from the Canadian bulls.
“There’s plenty of cattle here that would fit in at home,” said Smith.
“I came here with an open mind.”
Jan and Dave Mein of New Zealand came to Canada to find Charolais animals that will fit into their herd.
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“New Zealand has got a very small genetic base,” said Dave.
They’re looking for a specific type of cattle that will do well on a grass diet. If they find the right one they will take semen home.
That’s the kind of conversation Garner Deobald wants to hear during the World Charolais Congress being held in conjunction with the livestock show.
More than 200 Charolais cattle producers from 20 countries travelled to Canada to meet producers and buy cattle.
“It gives us an opportunity to showcase our cattle to the rest of the world,” said Deobald, president of Charolais International and a member of the organizing committee to bring the World Charolais Congress to Edmonton.
The event was last held in Canada during the 1980s, when Canadian beef producers were breeding long, leggy cattle better for jumping fences than producing beef.
“The type of cattle have changed a lot,” said Deobald.
Entries in the Charolais show tripled because producers want to show their modern cattle to the world.
“It has stimulated interest in Canada. The international stuff is a real bonus,” said Deobald.
He believes the connections made during the show will have long-term effects.
“It gives breeders an opportunity to make some relationships with international people.”
Travis Foot of Olds, Alta., came to Farmfair especially to meet other Charolais breeders.
“I wanted to showcase our cattle to our fellow breeders and showcase our genetics to the world,” said Foot, who talked to several international producers at the show.
Deobald said the connections won’t end at the show, but continue long after the show is over.
“There will be business happening here, but the majority of business will be followup for the next few years,” said Deobald.
