REGINA – Every year since 1971 thousands of people and cattle made their way to the Canadian Western Agribition (CWA). This year marked 45 years for the biggest cattle show in Canada, and it proved to be a profitable year form some cattle producers.
“A 25 per cent share in a cattle semen package, sold for over $41,000. We also had a heifer sell for over $32,000,” said CWA President Stewart Stone.
Stone and CWA CEO Marty Seymour held a press conference on Saturday morning to close out the show, and look to the future.
Thirteen of the buildings Agribition took place in will be torn down soon, and this got the organizers looking back at the sale’s history.
“We did some math and there’s been over $53 million dollars in cattle sales there over the past 45 years in the auditorium alone,” said Stone.
The $37 million International Trade Centre will host future Agribitions, but first the old buildings need to come down.
“Some of the demolition work’s going to start immediately after Agribition and we’re going to tear down 13 old buildings,” explained Seymour.
The demolition and construction process is expected to take 18 months. The exact timetable for construction has not been completed, and this mean’s the outlook for next year’s CWA is unclear.
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“We’re committed to having as minimal impact on our programming as possible. So Agribition 2016, we want it to look and feel as good or better as what you saw today,” said Seymour optimistically.
He acknowledged there will be some inconveniences due to the ongoing construction, but the show must go on.
This year’s CWA entertainment included live bands, jousting, and of course rodeo. Next year things will be a little bit different with the launch of the Agribition Pro Rodeo.
The CWA has teamed up with the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association for the event. It will mark the beginning of the 2017 pro rodeo season, and feature 16 athletes competing in seven events for $100,000 in cash prizes.
“We’re expecting cowboys from Canada, the US, Australia, Brazil… the best 16 that we can offer,” said Seymour.
This year Agribition saw its largest trade show to date. Stewart said that the size was boosted by the addition of new attractions like the Food Pavilion, a section dedicated to promoting locally grown foods and cooking techniques.
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