Warm weather, packed parking lots and strong sales made for a successful Canadian Western Agribition, organizers said as the show concluded Nov. 26.
Final sales and attendance figures weren’t yet known, but chief executive officer Marty Seymour, at the helm of his first show, said staff and the board were pleased.
“Turnstile traffic has been outstanding,” he told reporters. “As the week moved on, traffic continued to grow.”
President Bryan Hadland outlined sale highlights including the $67,000 price paid for a half-interest in a Red Angus bull calf, a $21,000 bison bull and a Simmental heifer calf for $20,000.
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“Sales on the purebred side are well above what they were a year ago,” he said. “All the exhibitors are very happy.”
Many of the top prices were paid on young stock, signifying investment in the future.
Cattle entries were similar to last year at 1,500 purebreds and 500 commercial cattle. Hadland said entries were down but more showed up, putting the numbers on par.
Seymour noted that entries in junior classes were up significantly.
“I think it’s a sign of the vibrancy of the agriculture and food business that we’re in,” he said.
The people also showed up, particularly from other countries. About 800 international guests from 67 countries registered at the International Business Centre, along with a larger number of American visitors than usual.
A sale of live animals to Mexico was made during the show, along with semen and embryo sales to several countries.
“We are the international marketplace in Canada,” Hadland noted.
The show pumps about $27 million annually into the economy.
In 2013 it will be one of two major events occurring back-to-back in Regina. Because the city will host the Canadian Football League’s Grey Cup championship game that year, Agribition will be moving earlier in the calendar to Nov. 11-16.
Seymour said he is looking forward to the synergies from having two exciting events in the city.
In the meantime, Agribition continues to work with Evraz Place and governments to try to improve facilities on the grounds. This year’s weather meant few concerns, but aging barns and utilities have long been on the agenda for improvement.
Next year’s show runs Nov. 19-24.
