The 40th edition of Canadian Western Agribition, the last major agricultural show of the fall season, is now consigned to history.
The past was celebrated as much as the present during the Nov. 22-27 show as organizers paid tribute to those who founded what is now the largest purebred cattle show in Canada.
Sales were made to at least seven provinces, four American states and Australia, according to information provided before the final events.
International attendance was the best on record, with 778 guests from 82 countries and 24 states.
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“I think that all drives home the point that what we do here at Agribition is provide an international marketplace for producers that they simply cannot miss,” said Agribition chief executive officer Jason Pollock.
The week started cold and snowy, causing some expected visitors to stay home. But it finished warm and slushy, setting a one-day attendance record for the last five years.
However, Pollock said it’s unlikely that record would make up for the lost attendance.
He said final numbers would likely be below the average 140,000.
Sales are expected to be near the $2 million mark.
The week started with a strong bison sale, with 60 lots selling for $212,250, or an average $3,537.50.
Beef highlights included a $27,000 half interest in a black Angus bull, $19,000 for a half interest in the show’s reserve grand champion Limousin bull, and the $18,500 purchase by 10 Charolais breeders of the Canadian semen rights to a South Dakota bull. A Simmental bull calf sold for $15,000.
Two horses, including the show champion, sold for $10,000 each in the Premier Select Ranch Horse competition.
The sheep sales were also strong, with the grand champion Suffolk ram selling for $825 and a Katahdin ram selling for $2,100.
International sales included a $4,400 embryo package to Australia during the Speckle Park sale, a yearling heifer bison to Wyoming for $4,750 and a Percheron filly, also to Wyoming, for $4,400 during the NAERIC draft horse classic sale.
Pollock said 84 percent of exhibitors showed up this year, which was three percent higher than last year’s rate.
This was the first show able to use new arenas built at Regina’s Evraz Place. The arenas hosted farm equipment, sports and recreation displays and an acreage showcase.
“The issue that we have continues to be, where are we going to put the cows?” he said.
There is a second phase of redevelopment planned for the grounds, which includes demolition of some older buildings. Funding has not yet been finalized.
“The barns that the cattle are in today, they have a definite time horizon,” Pollock said.
“We’re going to do everything we can to make sure that they’re available but there’s some risk factors in those barns with respect to their age that we can’t deny.”
