OLDS, Alta. – In his 25 years as a beef show judge, Dave Sibbald often faces friends and business partners, but he sets those relationships aside when he scans a class.
“You judge the cattle,” he said between shows at the Olds Fair, where he assessed Charolais, Shorthorn, Angus and Simmental cattle, as well as a multi-breed show.
“At the end of the day I have to make myself happy.”
A lifelong Red Angus breeder, Sibbald was once an active showman but has cut back on that part of the beef business. However, he values agriculture shows as a primary promotion tool for breeders.
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“It’s necessary. Our industry needs it. There is no better way to show off genetics,” he said. “If you are not there then you can’t do the business.”
Producers often base buying decisions on bulls they have seen at shows, he added.
However, economics are forcing people to stay home, resulting in less participation in agricultural shows.
Sibbald said it remains important for livestock producers to support a show such as the Olds Fair, which is expanding its facilities to host bigger and better events. Such activities also bring in more young people, who can use the fair to build contacts and learn about the industry.
Sibbald learned his judging skills as a youngster in 4-H. He followed up with additional courses that taught him he had a knack for judging.
He has judged numerous beef shows, including the supreme show at Canadian Western Agribition in Regina and national shows for Angus and Limousin cattle across North America. He has also judged in Brazil.
When he’s not in the show ring, Sibbald helps run his family’s Triple S Red Angus, a family operation in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains west of Calgary. Established in 1875, the ranch is owned and operated by Wayne and Donna Sibbald, along with Dave, his wife Mary Beth, and their children Dylan and Adam, who are sixth generation ranchers. The Sibbald family bought its first registered Red Angus in 1972 after being commercial cattle producers for decades.
The family runs about 300 head and holds an annual spring bull sale.
The Angus grand and reserve champion females at this year’s show were from Northline Angus in Ardrossan, Alta., and the champion bulls were from Diamond T Cattle Co. in Olds.
Charolais grand and reserve champion females were from New Country Livestock in Donalda, Alta., and Cam Peckham of Beiseker, Alta. New Country’s partner in the reserve female was Chomiak Charolais of Mundare, Alta. The grand champion bulls were from Harvie Ranching in Olds and the reserve was taken by New Country Livestock and Peckham.
Shorthorn grand and reserve champion females and bulls were from Alta Cedar Shorthorns in Acme, Alta.
Simmental grand champion female was from Garth Rancier of Killam, Alta., and reserve was Silver Creek Simmentals of Rosemary, Alta. Grand champion bull was Southpaw Cattle Co. of Carstairs, Alta., and reserve was from Czech Mate Livestock of Carstairs.
The multi breed show champions were from Highland Stock Farms in Olds.
Sibbald’s selection for supreme champions were the female entry from Garth Rancier and the supreme bull from Diamond T Cattle.
