After 40 years in an evolving cattle industry, the Saskatoon Fall Fair is still going strong and at least one loyal exhibitor has been with it all the way.
“I was 15 years old, I guess, at the very first one,” said Jud Willms, an Angus cattle breeder from Dundurn, Sask.
Willms has been a part of the purebred and commercial cattle show since its inception, when he was an exhibitor alongside his father and brother.
“Yes, that would have been the first bigger show that I’d ever shown in,” Willms said.
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Much has happened in the subsequent decades and Willms cannot remember exactly how he placed. However, he still holds a vivid memory of the people he met.
“I could still remember some of the people that were here that year as well. Some are still with us, some aren’t.”
Willms’ passion for showing cattle has soaked into his own bloodline. Wilbar Farms has four generations at the fair, including father, brother, son, daughter and nephew.
“It’s been a family tradition for us to come here year after year to exhibit our cattle and you know, I’d hate to stop doing it,” said nephew Bryan.
Jud and his father stood on the sidelines this year, letting the younger generation take the ropes in the ring.
“I’ve done all that before,” Jud said.
“I’ve done my share of judging, so the young people are doing it now and I quite like (it) that way.”
This year, Wilbar Farms won grand champion male, with a bull co-owned with Six Mile Red Angus, and grand champion Red Angus female. Bryan said having family around for support makes a big difference.
“Otherwise, you know, we wouldn’t have as much incentive to do something like this.”
The family hasn’t always been as fortunate. Jud’s father Jake said there were times the family went home empty-handed.
“You win some, you lose some. You go away somewhat disappointed but you try to improve.”
Win or lose, Jud has seen the ups and downs of the cattle industry and how they affect the show. He said year after year, producers still came to the smaller show, even during the BSE crisis.
“Last year, when things were really tough in the cattle business, people still came. Like the numbers really didn’t go down drastically.”
He said the show’s social aspect is addictive, making it hard not to take part.
“A lot of these people you only see once or twice a year. So it’s fun. It’s kind of a bonus to the day-to-day part of the cattle industry.”
One difference Jud noticed was the quality of today’s cattle. He said 40 years of breeding have done well for the industry. Jake agreed, saying in earlier years the demand was for lean animals.
“We’re going back to quality beef.”
Jud also noted that the show’s competitiveness has increased.
“When we started, there wasn’t near the technology when it came to feeding, grooming and all the rest of it like there is now.”
Lori Cates, agriculture manager for the show, said there is a reason people like the Willms continue to participate.
“I think people keep coming back to this particular show because of the location, number one,” she said.
Exhibitors come mainly from northern and central Saskatchewan and parts of Alberta and Manitoba. This year, there was an entry from Elora, Ont., but it was a no-show.
For Wilbar Farms, the show targets local potential customers and is a good opportunity for effective advertising.
“We have a bull sale in the spring and some of our customers will come and see our cattle here and at Agribition,” Jud said, who added coming to the show is the best way to let people know Wilbar Farms is still around.
“God willing, we’ll be here for another 40 years.”
