Farmfair 2011

This year's edition of Farmfair International was quite an event. Along with CEO Rob Smith and President David Bolduc, I attended the reception for Alberta's new Agriculture Minister, Evan Berger. This was one of the first public appearances by Minister Berger since his appointment. The event also featured a number of representatives from agricultural organizations and government officials.

The Angus show featured one of the largest crowds in recent Farmfair history. The Angus breeders exhibited a high quality group of cattle from top to bottom. It was mentioned by more than one bystander that although the number of entries was lower than in the "old days of the Winter Classic", the quality of cattle was better. The Red Angus section was judged by Riley and Jill Mader while the Black section was judged by Jim Henderson.

There was a somewhat unprecedented but will deserved result in the Alberta Supreme Show. Both supreme Champions were exhibited by Miller Wilson Angus of Bashaw. The winning bull was DMM Creed 75W, co-owned by Miller Wilson Angus and Harold Reich. The winning female was DMM Miss Essence 37T, owned by Jaelayne Wilson. This is quite an accomplishment given the fact that this was the first Supreme show featuring winners from other major shows across Alberta. I will be interested to see which one(s) of the Miller Wilson clan will be driving the two new Dodge trucks!


Posted by Michael Latimer
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

The National Show and Royal Winter Fair

On November 4th I boarded a plane which would lead to a whirlwind adventure with Rob Smith and David Bolduc. First stop was Winnipeg to meet up with my Alberta counterparts and rent a car to travel to the National Show in Brandon. I was proud to Show off Brandon’s Keystone Center to Rob and David. Barns, show rings, restaurants, convention halls, the Wheat Kings, and our hotel all under one roof. I remember David saying I wish we could pick this up and take it to Calgary.

We attended the Manitoba Beef Producers supper that night had a delicious Certified Angus beef supper. The next morning I awoke early to help tie cattle in and got to tour the barns and visit with breeders. I helped out at the show by handing out banners to the champions. Congratulations to 6 mile for winning Grand Champion Female in the Red and Black Angus show. We had to leave early and I did not see who won Grand Champion Bull.There were some tense moments as we were driving back to Winnipeg to make our flight when a detour took us right through the middle of Portage Le Prairie.

We arrived in Toronto to our Beautiful Hotel in the shadow of the CN tower. This was my first time being outside of the Toronto airport and I was excited to see the city. The next morning I got on to the wrong shuttle bus to go to the Toronto Royal but ended up getting there in good time all the same. The show was spectacular, with competitors from Indiana to the Maritimes, Quebec and Ontario. The 4-H junior show was going on all afternoon in the next ring which was very entertaining. That evening I met George Earley from Ontario who toured me around the Hall of Fame before I met up with David and Rob in the Angus Barn.

The next morning we got up early and boarded our planes back to the frozen prairies that had been engulfed in winter since we left. In two hours I will be boarding a plane for Edmonton and Farmfair international. Hope to see you there.


Posted by Austen Anderson, Robert C. McHaffie Junior Ambassador
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

2010 Farmfair a Success

On behalf of the Canadian Angus Association, I would like to commend the Angus exhibitors at Farmfair for their hard work in displaying a group of cattle that from top to bottom we can be proud of. Angus is the number one breed in Canada because of the quality of our cattle and the dedication of our breeders.

I would also like to thank the Farmfair organizers for their dedication in arranging for numerous international guests to attend the various breed shows along with a tour of several local producers, among whom Angus was a major influence. I think most people will agree that opening new markets and improving international relations is essential for the well being of not only our purebred industry, but also of Canadian agriculture in general.

If you would like more information about Farmfair or show results, visit the Farmfair website.

Posted by Michael Latimer
Feedback: michael1@cdnangus.ca