A different Crossroads Beef Expo during COVID

By Linda Bingeman

February 20, 2021, saw the Big Country Agricultural Society host a very different beef expo when compared to previous events.

Despite restrictions, the day was very successful. Thirty-nine youth between the ages of nine and 21 presented 70 head of steers and heifers to the judges and potential buyers. Breeders presented 23 pens of bulls and nine pens of heifers - a great variety of genetics from which buyers could choose. These numbers are down from previous years as spacing due to COVID restrictions used a great deal of space. It was unfortunate, but many people on the waiting list were unable to be accommodated. Hopefully, next year will be different.

The youth component started proceedings. First into the ring were the heifers. Judge Blake Morton chose Logan Brooke’s heifer as his Grand Champion, followed by Abbey Slorstad as Reserve Champion.

A great group of steers were next to be judged. In this instance, judge Morton chose the steer shown by Quinn Pedersen as Grand Champion and Reserve Champion was shown by Rylan Stafford. Judge Morton commented on the excellent quality of the animals brought to the show by the young people. As he was judging the steers and heifers, Morton also had his eye on the exhibitors evaluating their ability to present their animals to their best advantage. He chose Logan Brooke as the top junior showman, Levi Martin, the top intermediate and Abbey Slorstad as the top senior showman. At the youth show’s conclusion, due to COVID occupancy limits, the youth were asked to leave to make room for the bull and heifer pens and their group of spectators.

Once everyone was stabled and had their wrist bands, the pen show started. A panel of three judges —Tom Herman, Travis Foot and Cordell Griffith — independently evaluated the pens as they were presented in the ring. Once all the pens had been evaluated, the judges collaborated to decide who would win. Martin Cattle Service (Stettler) won the yearling pen of bulls with second place to Silver Smith Simmentals (Byemoor).

The 2-year-old bull awards went to Diamond L Ranch (Oyen) with second to Snake Valley Farm (Champion). Heifer honours went to Riverfront Angus Ranch (Medicine Hat) with second to Pieschel Farms (Balzac). Spectators may buy a people’s choice ballot and vote for their favourite pens. It is always interesting to see if the spectators agree with the panel of judges. This year Desertland Cattle Co. (Sedalia) received the most votes in the yearling bull division; 2-year-old bullpen went to Snake Valley Farm (Champion), with heifer pen to Hannah Wagstaff (Sedalia). From the ballots cast, two draws were made for gift baskets. This year Don Good was drawn for one and Mindy Good for the other.

Many people contribute their time and skills to make this activity a success. During the day, Marika Lyster was the master of ceremonies assisted by Haley Powell. Greg Norris and Leon Lee put a great deal of thought into stabling to ensure we adhered to COVID guidelines while still getting the greatest number of entries into the building. Barn boss Richard Houston was busy Friday and Saturday ensuring everyone was shown to their assigned location. Richard was also our auctioneer for large donated items. Our marshals—Leah Walker, Corbin McMillan and Natalia Laughlin—along with ringmen Jace and Keldon Powell kept classes moving through the ring without interruption. Diana Walker was busy taking pictures for news releases. This year to help us adhere to COVID regulations, Crowd Design was hired to take temperatures, ensure paperwork was filled in, keep a count on the number of people in the building and ensure everyone was wearing their mask and social distancing. As people socialize, they sometimes forget these items. As a whole, everyone was very happy to comply. Many people commented that it was great to have an activity to attend after being cooped up for so long. Hopefully, the Expo was a good experience for the consignors and their bull, heifer and steer sales will be enhanced because of their exposure to customers at the Crossroads Beef Expo.

PHOTOS BY DIANA WALKER

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PHOTO: GRAND CHAMPION HEIFERS (PANEL JUDGING): Riverfront Angus Ranch - Medicine Hat - from left Don Good presents a jacket from Bow Slope Shipping Association to Ashton and Rachele Robertson and their children Greeley, Dryden and Paisley. Cheryl Ball presents a $100 gift certificate from UFA, Cordell Griffith, Travis Foot and Tom Herman (judges).

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2ND, HEIFERS (PANEL JUDGING): Pieschel Farms, Balzac - David Eaton, BCAS president presenting $100 to Devon Erickson. Panel judges, Travis Foot, Cordell Griffith and Tom Herman, and Raelee Erickson.

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