After all these years, it seemed fair to ask Canadian Western Agribition Association General Manager Leon Brin how the star of agricultural fairs in the province manages to stay as relevant and fresh after 35 years, as it was the first time. Brin gave a straight answer:
“I know it will sound simplistic. In this field, the status quo isn’t an option. I would say that it is our governance structure that makes the difference in our case. We have a very hands-on Board of Directors. The only way a show like this can sustain itself is if it is producer led, and our Board is producer led.”
The Canadian Western Agribition Association (Agribition) was incorporated under The Societies Act in June of 1971. Regina was the chosen site primarily because the show’s founders were Saskatchewan livestock breeders, and the City of Regina is located centrally, not only to Western Canada but also to Canada as a whole, and North America in general.
“Initially, this was very much a beef show, and beef still is the foundation of this event,” says Brin. “The producers felt the way the livestock industry was evolving in the province should also be reflected in the breeds that are part of Agribition. And it is the producers themselves who provide us the guidance for the experience we stage.”
Regina was one of the few locations with facilities to house a winter stock show of this magnitude. Agribition now hosts 13 purebred beef shows—nine of them Canadian national shows. This is the highest proportion of national shows in the country.
Few agriculture exhibitions in the world can claim to be a focus for agricultural export, education and entertainment to the point where the culture of agriculture is equally on display.
“Agriculture is very much part of who we are in Saskatchewan,” Brin says. “We must ensure the tradition carries on. This is why there is a higher emphasis this year on junior beef programming. We are instigating the Canadian Junior Beef Extreme on the final Saturday, November 26. This is an amalgamation of all of the shows of all the junior breeds.
“In the past, junior individual breeds were scheduled within the individual shows. Now what will happen is all the champions of all the junior breeds will compete in a finale where an overall Junior Beef Champion will be declared.”
Brin and his fellow organizers see this as a way to highlight the accomplishments of those who will be called upon to carry the flame in the future.
“These juniors are the future of Agribition. We need to provide them opportunities to feel this is their show as well.” The juniors certainly are visible throughout the show and the 21 acres of indoor floor space located at Regina Exhibition Park.
Agribition is one of North America's largest and best-known agricultural marketplaces. Annually, over 4,000 head of livestock including purebred beef, commercial and dairy cattle, heavy and light horses, sheep, goats, llamas, and bison are on display during the six-day show.
Agribition also hosts over 400 trade show exhibits featuring agri-business and technology products and services, western arts and crafts, home and lifestyle products, as well as "Prairie Cuisine" food products and samples.
It is in great part due to the effort of sponsors, volunteers, exhibitors, visitors, staff and others that Agribition is the success that it is today. The Canadian Western Agribition takes place from November 21 to 26, 2005.
For more information, contact:
Leon Brin
General Manager
Canadian Western Agribition
(306) 565-0565
www.agribition.com
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