Canadian Western Agribition is synonymous with November, but it will soon be known in March, too.
Show president Shannon McArton announced Nov. 20 that Agribition has entered into a management agreement with the Regina Spring Steer and Heifer Show.
Final discussions are also taking place regarding a similar arrangement with Regina Bull Sale.
The two events run back-to-back in March at Regina’s Ipsco Place.
McArton told reporters that Agribition has had to look at new opportunities just as have farmers and ranchers. A spring event will better use staff and resources, he added.
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Agribition will take responsibility for planning and hosting the show.
“This is obviously a very complementary event,” she said. “We’ve got proven event management skill in livestock events and it’s right here in Regina. It seems like an ideal opportunity.”
Reed Andrew, chair of the spring steer and heifer show, said volunteers who look after the show were finding it difficult to get everything done. Handing the show over to Agribition was a natural fit, he said.
“We expect good things out of this,” Andrew said.
“This show used to have 300 and some cattle and we’re down to about 150. We expect to come back up now with the Agribition team working with the committee.”
The spring show for 4-H competitors began in 1984.
The bull sale is heading into its 103rd year.
Bull sale chair Scott Fettes of DKF Red Angus in Gladmar, Sask., said the board and Agribition are close to finalizing their agreement.
He said the sale will definitely will be held next year.
“We’re here and strong.”
The board hopes the expertise of Agribition staff will result in more sponsorship and attract stronger numbers and better quality bulls.
Under the agreement, Agribition would rent the space from Ipsco Place and the bull sale would sublease it. Fettes said that should solve problems of the past several years that led to complaints about poor service from the exhibition park, including dirty washrooms and a lack of food service.
The 2008 spring shows and sale will run March 14-17.
Agribition tried a spring event once before – professional bull riding in 2000 – but it cost money and wasn’t held again.
In comparison, the bull sale and spring 4-H show have long histories and are backed by the industry that Agribition serves.
To highlight the announcement, Agribition chose 13-year-old Chance Jackson of Sedley, Sask., to burn the traditional Agribition brand. Jackson exhibits at Agribition and the spring show and represents the future of both events, McArton said.
