(Alice McFarlane/farmnewsNOW Staff)

By Alice McFarlane

Canadian Western Agribition 2022

Saskatchewan cattle show reaches new heights

Dec 20, 2022 | 12:07 PM

MELFORT, Sask. – Canadian Western Agribition (CWA) was a resounding success with record-setting numbers, sell-out entertainment, impressive cattle sale results, and a significant return of international guests to Saskatchewan.

Over the course of the week, roughly 120,000 attendees, which included 1,200 international guests from 63 countries, and around 10,000 school children attended the event.

CWA CEO, Shaun Kindopp said admission sales peaked on Friday and Saturday. He was pleased to see record-breaking conference attendance of 276 registered guests for the ninth Annual Indigenous Agriculture Summit, and 767 guests who attended the 10th Annual Grain Expo.

“We are extremely pleased with the numbers we saw over the course of the week,” Kindopp said. “The entire week was remarkable for us; not only did we see record admission sales, but we hit record-breaking entertainment with three sell-out rodeo performances and a sold-out Saturday’s Party on the Dirt.”

For those unable to attend the show in person, CWA offered live-streaming services for its Brandt Centre events which saw approximately 10,000 users tuning in from across North America.

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CWA’s education program made a return and saw participation from approximately 10,000 urban and rural students from across Saskatchewan for a hands-on agriculture learning experience.

Kindopp said it was special to see the eyes of the youth light up when they walked through the barns.

“We truly value the educational component of Agribition and want to encourage younger generations to learn the importance of where their food comes from,” he said.

CWA President Kim Hextall said the international buyers returned in greater numbers, looking to connect with Canadian producers and source the best of the best.

“Agribition would not be what it is today without our international guests and partners; they are a critical component to CWA, and we know this is a relationship that will flourish for years to come,” Hextall said.

Cattle sale and genetic highlights included the sale of a bred Speckle Park cow to a buyer in Australia for $48,000, and a Limousin heifer sold to a Texas buyer for $40,000. The sale total for this year is sitting at $2.25 million, with additional international purchases still closing.

CWA had another successful year partnering with STARS Air Ambulance as their charity of choice. This year, all the funding support raised during Agribition was roughly $250,000.

The 52nd edition of Agribition will be Nov. 20 to 25, 2023.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

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