Prairie Hog Country – Cramer Ag Expo Attracts a Crowd

With over 500 lunch tickets sold a solid group of attendees at the 8th Annual Cramer Expo was a success. Held on February 22nd in Swift Current at the Kinetic Centre producers came from Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba. With being a multispecies show all areas were represented both in the attendees and the exhibitors.

Even youth got involved, Dallas Peters from Swift Current Creek Water Shed Stewards, ran a program for the 4H kids. They got to learn the 5 W’s of Watersheds. It was entitled How would you Graze it? This was followed by building a Watershed.

The general feel in the room throughout the one-day show was strong. Producers are looking ahead; strong genetics and a strong market both contributing factors.

Kelly Turcotte, tradeshow coordinator stated “We had a very strong turn out, we had to create more booth space this year, in every available corner.” There were equipment supplies, genetic companies, feed companies and pharmaceuticals all areas under one roof.

Of course one of the highlights of the day is the Cramer Competition. Awards are handed out in various categories. From Canola, Hay, Cereal, Hay, three egg classes, a pie baking contest and the coveted Cramer Cup Carcass competition..

This year 30 carcasses were entered from 17 different Colonies. And you would think the Colonies are the big winners, no it is charity by far. All the fresh meat is donated to Salvation Army in both Swift Current and Regina and Canadian Mental Health. Roberta Essex owner of Superior Meats donated all the cut and wrapping of the 30 carcasses. This year it totaled 4997 total pounds, breaking down to 610 lbs. Mennonite Sausage, 300 lbs. Breakfast Sausage, 854 lbs. cured hams and 391 lbs. of bacon. Wow that is a lot of pork.

The 17 Colonies that participated this year were: Matador, Grassy Hill, Spring Lake, Wymark, Bench, Kyle, Smiley, Main Centre, Sovereign, Butte, Scott, Cypress, Carmichael, Tompkins, Ponteix, Ear View and Webb.

The top five were, Cypress in 5th, Grassy Hill in 4th, Bench in 2nd and Smiley in both 3rd and 1st place. Jason Care from Manitoba Pork Council hog grading program said in his 13 years of judging he has never given such high points. Top place secured 106 out of a possible 111 points, “which was amazing,” Care added. Once the top place trophies were handed out the real fun began. The Sale of Champions auctioning off the top five carcasses, batches of eggs plus some special items. The donator could choose which charity would receive the funds, STARS was the big winner of the day along with Salvation Army in Kindersley, Davidson Hospital Foundation, Noble Irvin and Kids Help Phone. Bidders got into a heated battle with the bids reaching over three thousand in a few occasions. Totals raised were $13,950 for STARS and including the other recipients $17,400. That shows how our industry gives back to others.

Stepping up to handle the auctioneering this year, as Brett Janzen was ill, was Tyler Smyth from Pattison. Roger Kostron from Masterfeeds helped call bids from the floor.

Doug Richards (Canadian Bio Systems), Ralph Tuck (Penner Farm Service) and Glenn Kuhn (Topigs) had one of the hardest jobs of the day, being pie judges. They had to decide which had the best taste, aroma and general appearance. Top winners were Karen Kleinsasser from Sierra in 3rd, Ida Stahl from Earview in 2nd and taking top honours was Lina Entz from Fox Valley.

Doug in his closing statements thanked the sponsors, who he said help make this show possible. The Street Sign sponsors were, Western Ag Systems, Standard Nutrition, Fast Genetics, Pattison, K & J Services, and Friesen Nutrition. Coffee sponsor was Merck Animal Health. Carcass Cooler sponsors: Friesen Nutrition, Genesus, Topigs Norsvin, Standard Nutrition and Prairie Hog Country. Friesen Nutrition also sponsored this years’ trophies too.