Members of founding family launch 50th Agribition

The Canadian Western Agribition (CWA) kicked off Monday morning with the burning of the brand.

This Agribition holds special importance as the 50th edition after last year was postponed due to COVID-19.

Chris Sutter was the first CWA president and one of the show’s founding fathers, and members of his family — including Spence, Dean, Gail and Janice — were given the honour of kicking off this year’s Agribition with the burning of the brand.

Cattle at the Canadian Western Agribition. (Logan Stein/980 CJME)

Spence Sutter says his late father would have been proud to see the success of the Agribition continue 50 years later.

“He always said the show has to be run from the ground up and with volunteers and with producers providing their input,” Spence said. “I think that’s what’s happened, and that’s why it has survived for 50 years.

“There aren’t a lot of shows that do survive for 50 years, big or small, and it looks like it’s going to keep running.”

Sutter says Agribition continues to offer exhibitors a chance to showcase what they have on a world stage to people from around the globe.

“That’s what foreigners come here for; it’s to look for the best of the best,” he said. “Canada has a very good reputation in the livestock industry.

“It’s important to hit that 50-year milestone even with COVID around, with such a good show going on and with enthusiasm throughout the barns.”

The 50th #Regina Agribition is underway! #yqr @CJMENews pic.twitter.com/JAei0Ux8y4

— Logan Stein (@L0ganStein) November 22, 2021

Government renews its sponsorship

Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit was present Monday to announce a five-year renewed agreement of $250,000 to sponsor the CWA.

“Really what it does is it allows us as a government to grow the young ag entrepreneurs here in this province, to become accustomed to boards and commissions and to be able to work in the ag sector, policymaking, and the whole governance side of it and the development side of it,” Marit said.

“It’s a great partnership. We as a government recognize the importance of this show to the livestock industry here in the province of Saskatchewan.”