The cattle industry might be in a slump but Canadian Western Agribition entries are holding steady.
President Shannon McArton said Nov. 9 entries of purebred and commercial cattle are similar to last year and on par with the three year average.
About 4,000 head are expected on the grounds for next week’s 37th edition of the annual show, in spite of low cattle prices, high feed costs and a high Canadian dollar.
“Considering the challenges, we think that’s very positive,” she said.
Draft horse events begin Nov. 17 although Agribition officially opens Nov. 19, the same day the U.S. border is expected to open to older Canadian cattle and breeding stock. That could bring some additional buyers to the marketplace.
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Some cattle that won’t be in Regina this year are the dairy variety.
McArton said some producers did enter their cows but the interest was “very local” and the decision to cancel the dairy events was made.
Toronto’s Royal Winter Fair is the place to be for those who show dairy cows, she said, and that’s understandable given where the bulk of the industry is located.
Twelve beef breeds will participate in Agribition and four will hold their national shows – polled and horned Hereford, Shorthorn and Speckle Park.
Nine of the breeds will hold sales including Angus, Speckle Park, Charolais, Galloway, Simmental, Shorthorn, Gelbvieh, Hereford and Limousin.
There will be a strong international presence on the grounds, with 10 young people from the United Kingdom and one from Brazil competing in the 4-H and youth judging events.
Guests have registered from Australia, Austria, Argentina, Brazil, Ireland and Sweden. A delegation from Jamaica is interested in Canadian sheep, McArton said.
Other events usually draw full houses including the ranch horse sale and Canadian Cowboys’ Association rodeo finals.
Bison, stock dogs, goats, grain and forage and other events fill out the week’s schedule. The trade show will include a country Christmas gift show.
Changes to the show this year include relocating the Agri-Ed Showcase to the Canada Centre Exhibit Mall and taking the A Cut Above reception and auction off the grounds for a Dec. 13 event to benefit the food bank.
The Agri-Ed move is the first change due to a massive demolition and construction project planned for Ipsco Place, McArton said, and is expected to be temporary.
Otherwise, Agribition visitors won’t notice any difference this year in terms of buildings.
McArton added that federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz plans to visit the show Nov. 23. By then, the province should have its new agriculture minister in place as well.
