International presence deemed strong at Agribition

The Canadian Western Agribition has welcomed many international guests for this year’s event.

More than 1,200 guests from 63 countries attended this years Agribition.

CWA president Kim Hextall said Agribition was above 2018, 2019 and 2021 numbers in terms of cattle shows through the auction.

“The average was $15,000 per live animal sold,” she said.

“(At) Speckle Park they sold a cow to Australia for $48,000, there was a calf that went somewhere for $30,000 so we’ve got high dollar.”

She said another calf was purchased for $40,000 by a buyer in Texas.

“We know that this where people come to look if they’re looking to source livestock genetics,” Hextall said.

She also said she has been impressed by the people that have come to the event throughout the week.

“People choose to come to Agribition. It’s really nice when you meet someone that hasn’t been here before, they may have travelled halfway across the world and they say, ‘We are coming back next year,’ ” Hextall said.

She added that every year the energy is front and centre but it was nice to be able to see everyone’s faces this year.

CWA CEO Shaun Kindopp also echoed the successes from this year’s Agribition.

He said it’s important to showcase the event to kids to show them what the event is about.

“I think it’s important to know where your food comes from and it’s not just a grocery store,” Kindopp said.

Saturday was the last day of Agribition, which will included cowboy mounted shooting and a soldout rodeo.