Canadian Western Agribition hit a bit of a sweet spot this year.
On Nov. 19, the opening day of Western Canada’s largest livestock show and sale, the U.S. ended its ban on imports of older Canadian cattle. It was a move Canadian cattle producers have been waiting for since BSE was first discovered in Canada in 2003 sparking international bans on Canadian cattle and beef.
The border opening combined with strong international attendance should make the Nov. 19-24 event a success, according to organizers.
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Final attendance and sales figures are still being calculated, but chief executive officer Jason Pollock said he expects both will be solid.
“I thought our show was fantastic,” he said.
Sales were up year-over-year for both the Angus and Simmental breeds.
Americans from Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Idaho, Texas, Indiana and North Dakota purchased Shorthorn, Hereford and Angus cattle. Buyers from the United Kingdom bought Angus and Hereford embryos.
As well, buyers from eight provinces were recorded in purebred beef sales.
The high seller was a $60,000 one-third interest in a two-year-old Angus bull consigned by Lookout Stock Farm at Fairview, Alta., and sold to LLB Angus and Tommy Associates of Erskine, Alta.
A Shorthorn yearling heifer consigned by Hall Haven of Paris, Ont., sold for $16,500 to Fantasy Lane and Kathy Vanshaw, also from Ontario.
Holt Cattle Co. at Seward, Neb., bought a Shorthorn heifer calf from Lucky Springs Farms at Rocky Mountain House, Alta., for $15,600.
And, a Simmental heifer calf from Robb Farms at Maidstone, Sask., went to High Country Cattle Services in Breton, Alta., for $15,500.
Given current market conditions in the livestock industry, these and private treaty sales made in the barns were good news for the annual show.
Pollock said the quality of animals on offer at Agribition likely made the difference. Exhibitors and consignors bring their best to the event.
“They picked out contenders for the banner,” he said.
“They should get a premium over market price.”
Even in the commercial sale, bred heifers were selling for about $1,100, he said.
The top selling ranch horse was a $12,000 grey gelding, consigned by Phil Martindale of Claresholm, Alta., and sold to Simpson Ranching of Cochrane, Alta.
Officials were pleased that the numbers of exhibitors and animals were up substantially in the draft horse and sheep shows.
More than 460 international guests from 55 countries and 22 states visited Regina during the week.
This includes first-time delegations from Jamaica and Norway, and countries including Ireland and Argentina.
Agribition and its sister show Expointer in Esteio, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil, reconfirmed their strategic alliance during the week, signing a five-year memorandum of understanding.
Pollock said planning is already underway for next year. Ipsco Place will soon be undergoing a major construction and renovation project but he said that won’t affect the 2008 show.
“We will not be short facilities next year,” he said. “The first phase is the new six-arena complex where the current tie-outs are.”
That means only the tie-outs will be reconfigured, Pollock said.
One of the changes this year that seemed to be a hit was the relocation of the Agri-Ed Showcase from the lower Brandt Centre to the ground-level Canada Centre exhibit mall.
The showcase saw thousands of school children pass through, as usual, but was also more accessible to the general public. Pollock said that helps Agribition connect with consumers and even with farm kids who perhaps don’t realize just how far-reaching the industry is.
The Agribition name will be back next March when it hosts the Regina Spring Steer and Heifer Show and Regina Bull Sale for the first time.
Next year’s fall show runs Nov. 24-29.
