Canadian Western Agribition wrapped up on Saturday in Regina with officials calling the show a major success.
During Saturday morning’s wind up media conference, President Chris Lees said opening day attendance was one of the best in years.
“The numbers are still coming in, but the hallways have been full, the barns have been full with people looking at cattle,” he stated.
A free attendance partnership with the Saskatchewan Roughriders helped attracted one of their largest crowds in years on opening day Monday. The partnership, which was announced earlier in the fall, will extend to next year’s show, too.
Lees talked about how there were some huge sales throughout the week, including an Angus heifer for over $90,000 and a Charolais heifer for over $34,000.
He added that there were numerous foreign visitors who travelled for their 49th event.
“We have probably [more than] 1,200 international guests from nearly 80 countries and our incoming buyers program is working well,” said Lees. “We love the incoming buyers and international people that are here.”
Agribition CEO Chris Lane said sales numbers are staying pretty strong despite some problems with harvest and markets this year.
“Everybody knows it has been a difficult year in agriculture. We certainly would understand if there was some pull back with investments, but for the most part, those numbers are strong,” explained Lane.
“I think that’s a testament to the quality of products that people are bringing to town.”
Officials are gearing up for next year’s semi-centennial event which will host 11 national livestock shows.
