Welcome to our 2019 Canadian Western Agribition Board of Directors Canadian Western Agribition (CWA) announced a new leadership team at the Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, April 10, 2019. Chris Lees was elected as President of CWA. Chris has been involved with the show since the beginning in 1971, in several different capacities. Chris joined the CWA Board of Directors in 2012 and became an Executive member in 2015, most recently serving as Vice President. Chris has also been the beef team leader and chair of various committees including Rodeo, President’s Classic, Prospect Calves and Breed Association. Chris and his wife Tina are Hereford breeders who own and operate C & T Cattle Company out of Arcola, Saskatchewan. Also elected to the Executive team was: • Vice-President: Kim Hextall – Grenfell, Saskatchewan • Executive Members at Large: Levi Jackson – Sedley, Saskatchewan, Curtis Kuchinka – Regina, Saskatchewan, Michael Latimer – Olds, Alberta Back Row (L to R): Dwayne Bulizuik, Stephen Scott, Marty Kratochvil, Grant Zalinko, Courtney MacDougall, Jodi Banks, Ali Pike, Kelsey Ashworth, Carla Borsa, Jerry Flegel Front Row (L to R): Levi Jackson, Kim Hextall (Vice-President), Chris Lees (President), Bruce Holmquist (Past President), Curtis Kuchinka, Michael Latimer Missing: Dana Lajoie, Barry Young, Diana Hawryluk
Executive Committee (L to R): Levi Jackson, Kim Hextall (Vice-President), Chris Lees (President), Bruce Holmquist (Past President), Curtis Kuchinka, Michael Latimer
Letter from the President It is a great honour and privilege to be elected as President of the Board of Canadian Western Agribition. I am looking forward to working with the rest of the Board and the Agribition team. CWA 2019 will be every bit as exciting and entertaining as exhibitors and visitors have come to expect. Whether it be the livestock sales and shows, rodeo entertainment, speaking engagements and demonstrations, or shopping in the tradeshow area, there truly is something for everyone. Livestock and rodeo events are staples at CWA. Longhorns and alpacas will be back this year after a successful return to CWA in 2018. For the 2019 show, CWA will be partnering up with Canadian Pro Rodeo Association to host the Maple Leaf Circuit Finals. This rodeo event features top Canadian cowboys competing in seven major events with the winner of each event advancing to the RAM National Circuit Finals in Kissimmee, Florida. Our international program is an important aspect of the show. We are looking to increase the attendance of our international visitors and the incoming buyers’ incentive program will help to facilitate this. CWA’s education program is an area that we are continually looking to expand. It is CWA’s goal to be at the forefront in providing concise, reliable, and relatable information to educate today’s youth about agriculture. CWA is proud to name STARS as our official charity. During show week, all fundraising efforts and initiatives will be donated directly to STARS operations. As we approach our 50th show in 2020, plans are well under way to make it a “can’t miss” event of the year. In partnership with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce, we are proud to support the Chamber’s anniversary celebrations as well as the Grey Cup as it returns to Regina. The continued success of our shows would not be possible without the dedication of the staff, members of the board, thousands of gate attendees and hundreds of volunteers that return year after year. Thank you to every one of you.
Chris Lees President of Canadian Western Agribition
L to R: Chris Lees (President), Bruce Holmquist (Past President)
CWA ready for the road ahead CWA announced at their Annual General Meeting a profit from operation of $190,671 and provincial economic impact of $73.6 million annually. With the 2018 fiscal year coming to a close, CWA is ready for the road ahead. “Agribition is a year-round undertaking and we’re always excited about the next show,” says CEO Chris Lane. “In the coming weeks, you’ll see some exciting announcements about brand new events and attractions coming to Agribition 2019. Stay tuned!”
Canadian Western Agribition Volunteer Appreciation Night CWA Hall of Fame Colleen Sawyer Colleen Sawyer (1943 - 2018) of Pike Lake, Saskatchewan was inducted into the CWA Hall of Fame at CWA’s volunteer appreciation night on Wednesday, April 10, 2019. Colleen was raised on a mixed farm near Warman, Saskatchewan. Her and her husband began with a commercial flock of sheep then diversified into purebred sheep with Sawyer C Farm. She was a dedicated sheep breeder, mentor, and volunteer at CWA for 35 years. She was also involved with both the Saskatchewan and Canadian Sheep Breeders Associations. Colleen is a Saskatchewan Agriculture Hall of Fame inductee and Saskatchewan Livestock Association Honour Scroll recipient.
Edwin Freitag
L to R: Bruce Holmquist (Past President), Family of Colleen Sawyer, Shannon McArton (Past President)
Edwin Freitag was born in Outram, Saskatchewan after his family immigrated from Ukraine. He started showing horses for his dad in 1950 in shows across the continent which led him to breeding stallions for Budweiser. In 1975, Edwin returned to the family farm and continued showing Belgians. He served on the Buffalo Days Horse Show committee and was instrumental in forming the South East Saskatchewan Draft Horse Association. Edwin also served as President of the Canadian Belgian Association as well as many other organizations. Edwin is a recipient of the Saskatchewan Livestock Association Honour Scroll and attended many events but identified that Agribition was his favourite.
Hubert Freitag
L to R: Glen Osborn on behalf of Edwin), Bruce Holmquist (Past President)
Hubert Freitag grew up in Alameda, Saskatchewan and later attended the School of Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan. He operated a PMU operation for 28 years, was a devoted 4-H member and leader, and judged draft horses at events around the continent. Hubert was part of the first Draft Horse Show committee and has been volunteering at CWA for 30 years. Hubert was part of the Saskatchewan Horse Breeders, Saskatchewan Livestock Association, Saskatchewan Draft Horse Association, Saskatchewan PMU Association, and the Southeast Draft Horse Association. L to R: Hubert Freitag, Bruce Holmquist (Past President)
Long-Serving Volunteer Awards 5 years
Back Row (L to R): Michael Latimer, Doug Sutherland, JoAnn Lupastin, Ron Henry, Ernie Boon, Kelly Moens, Tyrel Bertram (on behalf of Marty Bertram), Chris Bertram, Karl Sauter Middle Row (L to R): Gordon Stopanski, Audrey Stopanski, Verne Bolen, Wade Armstrong, Kelly Ross, Dianne Panagabko, Jean Miller, Kim Hextall (Vice-President) (L to R) : Louise Krueger, Jennifer Mainil, Carol Marwick, Fran Protz, Vivian Gerrard, Judy Gates Missing: Marty Bertram, Scott Blair, Garner Deobald, Eleanor Desjardins, Gloria Eskdale, Gail Fry, Keith Lipsett, Ron Mulholland, Garth Newell, Scott Thompson, Sandy Ward
10 years (not pictured) Doug Bouck, Melodi Hawkesford-Lee, Shaela Ponsford, Reg Schellenberg, Fred Stratton
15 years 20 years
Courtney MacDougall (with children) Missing: Greg Bellisle, Neil Cromarty
Lee Sinclair Missing: Bob Crowe, David Gadd
Long-Serving Volunteer Awards (continued) 25 years 30 years
L to R: Candace By, Terry Bedard Missing: Doug Graham
L to R: Levi Jackson, Janice Faer, Bill Gray Missing: Maurice Clark, Howard Slack
35 years 40 years (not pictured) John Blacklock (Past President), Bryce Burnett (Past President), Gordon Stephenson (Past President), Dale Strudwick (Past President)
Bill Aulie (Past President)
Barn Boss of the Year Award
Karl Sauter was awarded the Barn Boss of the Year Award from Vice-President, Kim Hextall at the Volunteer Appreciation Night. In 2018, Karl was the Barn Boss for the Stock Exchange and assisted the Texas Longhorn exhibitors. Karl and his wife Kristine own and operate Bridgeway Livestock, a registered Red Angus and Red Simmental ranch in Wawota, Saskatchewan. Karl and Kristine have been exhibitors in the Yards since inception. Congratulations, Karl!
Next Gen Agriculture Program CWA is proud to welcome eight successful applicants into the 18-month mentorship program. Mentees will be exposed to industry knowledge, advocacy, business education, networking, board & governance training and social connections. 2019 mentees include: • Brandt Carter - Lacadena, Saskatchewan • Chelsie Christison - Bethune, Saskatchewan • Coralee Fisk - Balcarres, Saskatchewan • Lesley Kelly - Watrous, Saskatchewan • Jennifer Mainil - Weyburn, Saskatchewan • Codie Nagy - Ogema, Saskatchewan • Derek Oleksyn - Prince Albert, Saskatchewan • Kaleigh Sorensen - Regina, Saskatchewan CWA’s has chosen industry-leading agriculture mentors in the fields of farming, livestock, and entrepreneurship. 2019 mentors include: • Crystal MacKay - President of the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity • Sean McGrath – Owner of Ranching Systems and 5th generation rancher • Andrew Campbell – Farmer, award winning communicator, and farm advocate • Kevin Hursh – Owner of Hursh Consulting and Communications, farmer, and agrologist • Alanna Koch – Farmer and current Chair of the Board of the Global Institute for Food Security • Ryder Lee – Current CEO of Canadian Cattlemen’s Association • Chad Ross – Vice Chair of Canadian Beef Check-off Agency • Myles Immerkar – Current CEO of Canadian Angus Association
L to R: Alanna Koch (Mentor), Chad Ross (Mentor), Codie Nagy, Lesley Kelly, Derek Oleksyn, Jennifer Mainil (with child), Brandt Carter, Kaleigh Sorensen, CoraLee Fisk Missing: Crystal MacKay, Sean McGrath, Andrew Campbell, Kevin Hursh, Ryder Lee, Myles Immerkar, Chelsie Christison
Scholarship Program now accepting applicants CWA’s scholarship program is now accepting applicants. The program is intended to provide financial support and incentive to young people in order to pursue post-secondary and graduate education. Applicants must have been involved in CWA as an exhibitor, activities include all livestock classes, 4-H classes, and active trade exhibit participation Deadline for applications is October 1 and candidates will be chosen by November 15.
Staffing Updates Farewell to Sarah Laxdal After five years with CWA, Sarah Laxdal, Marketing and Branding Manger, has moved on to a pursue a new opportunity at PFM Capital Inc. here in Regina, Saskatchewan. During her time at CWA, Sarah developed and implemented communications and marketing strategies for the shows and was the creative eye for all graphical elements. Sarah’s attention to detail and organizational skillset is something that will be genuinely missed. CWA wishes Sarah all the best in her new endeavor.
Welcome to Bianca Bernasconi and Karlee Vorrieter CWA is proud to announce two new team members: Bianca Bernasconi and Karlee Vorrieter. Bianca joins the CWA team as the Business Development Coordinator, handling all sponsorship, community engagements and business development opportunities for CWA. Bianca has a diploma in Agriculture Production and Management with a Beef Management focus from Olds College and has spent most of her professional career working with large purebred and commercial cattle operations. More recently, Bianca worked for Blair’s Family of Companies as a Livestock Solution Specialist and has been a part of CWA, in various capacities, for 15 years. Karlee joins the CWA team as the Marketing and Communications Associate and will be responsible for all marketing strategies and communications initiatives for CWA. Karlee has a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in marketing, public relations certificate, and the successful completion of the Co-operation Education Program from the University of Regina. Karlee has career experience as a marketing analyst and communications specialist at SaskTel and Saskatchewan Research Network, respectively. Karlee is coming to CWA from Farm Credit Canada where she spent the last year as an executive coordinator. Karlee and Bianca are both incredibly excited to be a part of CWA!
Congratulations to Cheyenne Catley After spending her first CWA show as the Business Development Coordinator, Cheyenne Catley has moved onto a new role as Livestock Coordinator. As Livestock Coordinator, Cheyenne will be responsible for coordinating, implementing, and follow-up of all CWA livestock events. Congratulations, Cheyenne!
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