Agribition is back — and running live

The 50th edition of Canadian Western Agribition is underway a year late.

The family of one of the show founders and the first president, Chris Sutter, burned the brand to officially open the event Nov. 22.

Last year’s show was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Spence Sutter said his dad would be pleased with the world class event the show has become.

“He would be proud of this celebration of course,” Sutter said. “He always said, the show, it has to be run from the ground up, with volunteers and with producers providing their input. That’s what’s happened and that’s why it survived for 50 years.”

He said exhibitors in Western Canada were looking for a place to showcase their best animals. They could only go to Denver or Toronto at that time.

“It was needed here and exhibitors, they came,” Sutter said.

He said the international visitors come to Agribition for the best genetics in all types of livestock.

The family, which still has purebred Red Angus and Hereford cattle at Redvers, Sask., continues the tradition of participating in Agribition as Sutter’s granddaughter was in the 4-H judging competition.

Current Agribition president Chris Lees said it was good to see people at the show again.

“Events like Agribition are much more than what they seem on the surface. For 50 years, people from all over Canada and the world have come to these grounds to gather, do business and see old friends,” he said. “This is our community.”

Regina mayor Sandra Masters welcomed the show’s return as well, saying Regina was built on agriculture and food.

“It’s really good to see you,” she said. “For 50 shows the award-winning CWA continues to exceed our expectations of what Agribition is and what it can be.”

Saskatchewan agriculture minister David Marit announced a five-year $250,000 funding commitment to the show. He said it used to be a four-year agreement but the government wanted to offer more certainty.

As well, applications are now open for the Next Gen Agriculture Mentorship Program, which Agribition delivers to help the next generation of producers become leaders through education in board governance and building public trust.

He said he had already met three men from Norway at the show to buy genetics and was meeting with the consul generals of the United Kingdom and Japan to talk trade.

“We see growth happening in both those countries so we see opportunity,” he said.

Marit added it was good to see people back at Agribition and that the organizers of the first show likely never imagined what it would become.

“I am in awe of it,” he said.

Contact karen.briere@producer.com