Expo Boeuf 2017
Once again, the sports coliseum here was not echoing with the sounds of sports' fans but with a cacophony of cattle calls as exhibitors and handlers scurried to put the finishing 'fitting touch' on over five hundred head of quality beef cattle, gathered in both the stabling area and the stables located at the rear of the arena.
Nearly 530 animals representing eight or ten beef breeds travelling from every province including Ontario to the Maritimes filled every available corner for this weekend, which is much more than a simple breed competition.
Beginning Friday with a banquet for exhibitors and guests and an auction of quality production animals in several breeds, this event also puts together a program for young people who are either contemplating a career as a quality breeder or are just starting out either on the family farm or on their own. Sunday is dedicated to the young folk beginning with a Peewee Showmanship bringing three to five-year olds, accompanied by a parent into their first experience showing a calf at the 'big' show. There are herd-sire programs on display, artificial insemination personnel presenting seminars and workshops, boutiques offering the latest in technology and nutrition programs while outside, the folks with livestock trailers and hauling equipment also presented their wares.
But there's no question the Saturday show-day is the high point of the weekend. With three and four breeds sharing sections of the hockey surface, the traffic coming and going from stable to ring is often moving in two directions, These are beef-type animals, young males up to two years old meeting young females much like a regional school corridor. But the odd 'gambolling' heifer, or the deep sound of a bull 'call' leads nowhere except where the person at the halter is going. Entries were up in almost every age group among the most popular breeds such as Herford’s, Angus and Shorthorn requiring dividing classes into manageable numbers. Once competitors are scaled down to nine or twelve, one can sense the excitement as the judge makes his final decision, often changing his mind on placement and moving exhibitors up or down the final line. One couldn't help but remark Eastern Township breeders placed among the top five very often, taking home championship ribbons regularly. In the Richmond region, Salers and Shorthorn breeders exhibited outstanding animals as well as Herford’s and Angus proving to future buyers some of the best beef animals can be found in the Eastern Townships hills.
This is one of the largest we've had here but I think, one of the best with outstanding quality at both ends of the final prize line," said J. Dempsey, one of the chief organizers of the weekend event. Exhibitors and owners standing on the side, chatting, seemed to agree this weekend event would be right up to the quality seen at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto in November or the Agribition in Sasketchewan later this year. "And even in the States too," was a comment heard more than once.
Aside from the serious business of presenting a top quality animal, entire families turn out for the show. Often three generations are sitting on the edge of their seat in the stands as a family member presents perhaps one of their favourite calves or cow and calf groups. As a marketing tool and breed presentation where the latest improvements in genetics such as larger loin eye, less fat, cost of producing quality meat with breeders striving to produce an animal with well developed rear muscle and loin, this is the show where producers, and buyers can find common ground.