The 13th annual Saskatchewan Livestock Expo, formally known as Cramer Ag Expo, took place back on February 9th. The sold-out trade show representing over seventy- five various companies was well attended despite having some winter road conditions, producers were happy to gather in-person again.  
Five individuals had the hard job of being judges in the annual pie baking competition picking number one in taste, texture, smell and appearance. They were Richard Hodgkinson (Sollio), Art Gologma (Genesus), John Drost (Fortified), Tammy Beauregrt (STARS) and Lynn Redi-Huntington (SASK Pork). The pie winner was Kyla Stahl of Earview Colony. 
The pork quality competition was judged from Jason Care from Manitoba Hog Grading, based on industry standards in categories such as fat depth, loin depth, lean yield, carcass weight, marbling, loin colour to a total of 111 possible points (using Thunder Creek Grid). Crowds gathered as the top five carcass were hauled and hung in the cooler by Warren McNary from Superior Meats (2021). 
The nineteen Colonies that entered hogs in the carcass competition were: Bench, Butte, Carmichael, Earview, Fox Valley, Grassyhill, Hodgeville, Kyle, Matador, Ponteix, Rose Valley, Sandylake, Smiley, Soverign, Springfield, Spring Creek, Tomkins, Vangaurd and Webb. 
Of the 34 hogs entered the top five were 5th Bench Colony, 4th Tompkins Colony, 3rd Ponteix Colony, 2nd Carmichael and taking 1st place with 88 points was Vanguard Colony.  
Upon completion of all winners announced it was time for the Sale of Champions, handling the auctioneering duties was Tyler Smith. The top five carcasses, along with top pie and top eggs generated generous donations for various charities totalling over $16,000. Details are included below: 
First place went to Vanguard Hutterite Colony – sold for $3100 to Western Ag – charity donation to Noble Irwin Foundation in Swift Current. Second place went to Carmichael Hutterite Colony – sold for $3600 to Friesen Livestock – charity donation to Ronald McDonald House in Saskatoon. Third place went to Ponteix Hutterite Colony – sold for $3200 to Sollio Agriculture – charity donation STARS.
Fourth place went to Tompkins Hutterite Colony – sold for $1200 to Fortified Nutrition- charity donation to HEART Team. Fifth place went to Bench Hutterite Colony – sold for $3000 to Western Ag – charity donation to STARS. 

Hens 19-34 weeks of age was won by Abbey Hutterite Colony – sold for $550 to Masterfeeds – charity donation to STARS.Hens 35-55 weeks of age was won by McMahon Hutterite Colony – sold for $400 to Connect On Farms – charity donation made to STARS. Hens over 55 weeks won by Beechy Hutterite Colony – sold for $1000 to Masterfeeds – charity donation to STARS. 
Pie Baking Competition which was won by Kyla Stahl from Earview Hutterite Colony – sold for $150 to Doug Cramer – charity donation to STARS. 
From the 34 hogs delivered to Superior Meats (2021) 7900 lbs+ (@3600kgs) of pork once processed cut and wrapped was delivered to Souls Harbour Rescue Mission in Regina. Again, the Pork Sector gives back to those who need it most.  
In total over $25,000 in colony pork donations and charity auction fundraising was raised.
Doug Cramer thanked the Hutterite Brethren and all the sponsors of the show & carcass competition and auction bidders.  

The sponsors were: Bio Agri Mix, Blue Water Irrigation, Canadian Bio Systems, Crystal Spring Hog Equipment, Dairy Lane Systems, Farm Credit Canada, Fast Genetics, Fortified Nutrition, Friesen Livestock, Genesus, Hams Marketing, Intervet Canada Corp, K & J SVC & Agri Systems, MacMor Industries, Maple Leaf Foods, Merck, Newton Enterprises, Nutrition Partners, PIC, Precision Ag Systems, Proveta Nutrition, P. Quintaine & Son, Saskatchewan Egg Producers, Sask Pork, Sollio Ag, Thunder Creek Pork, Western Ag Systems and Prairie Hog Country. 
Cramer added, “Saskatchewan Livestock Expo will return to its third week in February time slot, so mark February 22nd, 2024 on your calendars.” •
— By Laurie Brandly