Strong sales | Purebred cattle sales were about $1.4 million, up by $250,000 in 2011
Organizers of Canadian Western Agribition say sales were up and attendance was strong at last week’s 42nd show in Regina.
Chief executive officer Marty Seymour said purebred cattle sales neared $1.4 million, up $250,000 over last year.
The highlight was a two-thirds interest in an Angus calf for $73,000.
“The ranch horse sale rang the bell as well,” Seymour said, noting a high seller of $14,500.
Attendance figures weren’t yet available from the Nov. 19-24 show but he said they will be on par with last year’s 126,000.
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“We were quite a bit ahead of the plan on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. (The) snowstorm set us back a little bit, but we had an outstanding Friday and Saturday again,” he said Nov. 26. “We had a bigger Saturday this year than last year.”
A twist in the weather is one thing visitors to Agribition can almost always count on and last week saw the gamut from pouring rain to blowing snow to sunshine, and temperatures from near zero to the minus 20s.
The older facilities at Evraz Place are known for leaky roofs, and tarps and strategically placed barrels were added daily to catch the water.
Most exhibitors seemed to take the conditions in stride. They know the facilities are aging and leaky roofs are almost tradition.
But there were complaints and Seymour agreed that the buildings must be improved.
“We’re working with the city on a strategy to deal with the rest of the infrastructure,” he said. “I think over the next six months we’ll have a more clear understanding of some next steps.”
Several years ago, plans called for the demolition of some old buildings and the construction of new ones. However, the plans stalled after the construction of the new Co-operators Centre with its six arenas.
Plans for a new football stadium on the same grounds could affect resources available for the existing buildings. It will also affect parking, which is always a challenge during Agribition.
Seymour said if the province and Ottawa come to the table with support for the grounds, then the city would likely follow.
Resources to improve livestock facilities aren’t necessarily at the top of the priority list.
Seymour noted that although Agribition is a large, world-class show, it only occupies the grounds for about three weeks of the year, including preparation, the six-day show and tear-down.
However, the show does bring in $27 million to the Regina economy each year.
Seymour also said the international business done at the show supports the aims of both the federal and provincial governments to increase trade.
This year about 750 guests from 60 countries registered.
“What I noticed this year was a lot of U.S. cattle trade happened and our international business overall appears to be up,” he said.
Next year’s show will be held Nov. 11-16.
