Check presentation Maple Leaf staff, Xavier Temple along with ALE show organizer Chris Tokaruk and Monica Ercolessi.

The wide-open bright new Agri-Food Hub & Trade Centre in Lethbridge welcomed both exhibitors and attendees alike for the Alberta Livestock Expo. The new facility, which is still not fully completed, will offer many more opportunities in future years.
The Alberta Livestock Expo, which took place October 11th and 12th , in addition to the two-day trade show new this year offered information sessions, this year’s focus was Innovation in Dairy Conference, featuring eight different speakers over the two days. Next year Chris Tokaruk, show coordinator added we’re also pleased to announce that we will expand our conference series in 2024 to include Pork and Poultry conferences as well as the Dairy conference we rolled out this year.

3rd place Haven Colony, purchased by Fortified Nutrition
2nd place winner Willow Creek Colony, was purchased by Solio Ag


This years show was represented by 80 various companies, not only the hog sector but other species as well, offering all attendees an abundance of information on new products, or even to rekindle long standing friendships from over the years. As I chatted with one gentlemen, whom has since passed the reins on to his son, he added it’s still nice to come in and see all the former customers, acquaintances and friends we have made over the years. The Ag sector continues to be a solid group of just that.
Chris shared a huge thank you to all the sponsors whether it is general, dairy conference or the carcass cooler all very much appreciated. The 2023 sponsors included: 5H Manufacturing, ABS, Advanced Ag Products, Alberta Beef, Avail, Arbourdale, Barentz, CBS Bio Platforms, Delcan Building Materials, Farm Credit Canada, Fortified Nutrition, GEA, Genesus, h@ms Marketing Services, Hypor, Maple Leaf, Merck, Minitube, Nutrition Partners, Pro-Mount Gate Systems, TTT Stock Co., Topigs Norsvin, and Prairie Hog Country.
One of the biggest highlights of the show is the Pork Quality Competition. Jim Bourret, of Maple Leaf foods Procurement in Lethbridge, explained all entered carcasses were judged using Maple Leaf Lethbridge Grid. Including criteria on: Index, Hog Carcass Weight, Back Fat, Loin Eye Size, Loin Eye Colour, Belly and Loin Marbling. This year 26 carcasses were entered from 24 Colonies.



The twenty-four participating Colonies were: Albion Ridge, Armada, Baker, Blue Ridge, Brant, Crystal Spring, Delco, East Raymond, Enchant, Fairlane, Gold Spring, Greenwood, Haven, Hutterville, Keho Lake, Kingsland, Livingstone, Rockport, Spring Point North, Spring Point South, Starbrite, Standoff, Willow Creek and Wolf Creek.
The top three placed carcasses were in 3rd place Haven, 2nd place Willow Creek and in 1st place Blue Ridge. Once the winners were announced Dean Oseen, auctioneer, took over helping with live auction portion of top three carcasses. 3rd place Haven was purchased by Fortified Nutrition, 2nd Willow Creek by Solio Ag and 1st Blue Ridge by WAGS (Western Ag Supply).
However the biggest winner of the day is charity, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alberta, represented by Monica Ercolessi Associate Director, Community and Corporate Relations, graciously accepted a check totalling $14,000. The other huge winner is the less fortunate, between Lethbridge Food Bank and Lethbridge Soup Kitchen. “In total 2431kgs (5359lbs) for a value of $5432.00, we (Maple Leaf) donated 804kg of tender loins which works out to 156 cases of product,” Jim Bourret.
Chris added our 2024 event will be held, October 16 and 17 (Wednesday & Thursday). Please save the dates! We are planning a very similar floor plan for 2024 and exhibitors will be given an opportunity to re-book their same spaces in early 2024. Thanks for attending see you in 2024. •
— By Laurie Brandly

Note as per request no photos of first place Blue Ridge Colony.