OLDS, Alta. – At 14, Kyle Dodson is an experienced showman who can’t decide if he should keep his winnings for university or buy more cattle.
As the winner of $405 in the jackpot heifer show at Summer Synergy in Olds, Alta., Dodson was one of 340 people participating in cattle shows, interviews and judging competitions July 11-16.
It was the first big prize he has won with his Maine Anjou cross heifer, which he will enter in the Canadian Western Agribition for the Mainetainer show in November.
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“She’s the only one I’ve bought on my own,” he said. “The first time I showed her she was a little green, so she didn’t win. If she has a good calf and udder, she’ll be in the ring as long as she can.”
Dodson, the son of Dale and Shelley Dodson, is a member of the Mayerthorpe 4-H Beef Club. He already owns 12 cattle and admits the 10 shows he attends each year are time consuming but rewarding.
When asked if he wants to farm, he paused.
“Only if I make enough money,” he said.
For many attending Summer Synergy, money was a major consideration. Nearly $40,000 in scholarship money from the Calgary Stampede Foundation and private sponsors was awarded to 30 participants.
Synergy was new for the organizing groups that included the Calgary Stampede, junior beef associations, Alberta 4-H, Olds Agriculture Society and Olds College.
Combining two venues for a large event under one roof worked, said Tracy Lundago, chair of the Stampede international youth committee.
A marketing competition, judging events, conformation shows, showmanship and a senior herdsman quiz were held at Olds.
Scholarship interviews were held at Calgary and the supreme beef and dairy champions were selected July 17 and announced at the Calgary Stampede steer show.
“It complements our programming very well,” said Lundago.
“We kept the core program with the Stampede programming and we were able to pick them up and bring them offsite and offer the same things we have always done with our international youth livestock committee.”
The event included the 34th annual provincial show and 64th annual dairy show under one roof. The all-Alberta show wrapped up with a supreme championship in Calgary.
Summer synergy winners:
• Purebred beef champion:Brandon Hertz, Duchess, Alta.
• Commercial beef champion:Tyson Hertz, Duchess, Alta.
• Supreme dairy champion:Chad Crest, Athabasca, Alta.
• Supreme heavy horse event:Nicole Ruzicka, Viking, Alta.
• Angus grand champion:Katelyn Dietrich, Forestburg, Alta.
Reserve:Quinn Hamilton, Innisfail, Alta.
• Commercial Angus female champion:Jill Davidson, Lougheed, Alta.
• Charolais grand champion:Candace Fankhanel, Bashaw, Alta.
Reserve:Brayden Paget, Donalda, Alta.
• Commercial grand female:Jessica Sperber, Rimbey, Alta.
Reserve:Raymond Gallelli, Crossfield, Alta.
• Grand champion Hereford bull:Kailey Wirsta, Elk Point, Alta.Reserve:Corbin Kudera, Wildwood, Alta.
• Supreme champion bred yearling heifer:Kailey Wirsta, Elk Point, Alta.
• Grand champion female:Emily Latimer, Olds, Alta.
Reserve:Coleman Nixdorff, Airdrie, Alta.
• Grand champion female Simmental:Sawyer Daley, Carstairs, Alta.
Reserve:Chase Miller, Crossfield, Alta.
