WHAT’S INSIDE: PAGE 1: New President PAGE 2: New Board of Directors PAGE 2: Continual Improvement
Message From The New President anadian Western Agribition (CWA) held its 44th Annual General Meeting on April 10th, reporting a strong earning and electing the Board of Directors for the 2015/2016 year. The Board is here to serve CWA and its stakeholders and we are enthusiastic about the opportunities ahead!
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PAGE 3: President’s Classic
Thank you to those who attended the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and congratulations to those who received milestone long-service volunteer pins. CWA is pleased to recognize all other award winners for your outstanding contributions. CWA is an organization we can all be proud of as it hosts the best beef show on the continent.
PAGE 4: Community Involvement
I look forward to seeingg yyou at the show in November!
PAGE 3: Future of Rodeo
PAGE 5: Hall of Fame PAGES 6-7: Volunteer Awards PAGE 8: Staff Announcements Stewart Stone, President of Canadian Western Agribition .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Meet Our New Leadership Team tewart Stone of Regina, SK was elected President of Canadian Western Agribition (CWA). Stewart has been involved with CWA for 18 years, serving on the Board of Directors for 14 of those years. He has been the chairman of numerous committees including dairy, international, audit, governance, and rodeo. Stewart works full time as the Chief Operating Officer of Heartland Livestock.
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President, Stewart Stone
The Executive Team includes: • Bruce Holmquist of Saskatoon, SK (Vice-President) • Chris Lees of Arcola, SK • Blake MacMillan of Nokomis, SK • Bryce Thompson of Regina, SK •
Reed Andrew of Regina, SK (Past President)
Back Row, L to R: Blake MacMillan, Bryce Thompson, Chris Lees Front Row, L to R: Bruce Holmquist, Stewart Stone, Reed Andrew
2015 Board of Directors Members of CWA elected the following representatives to the Board of Directors to serve a two year term:
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Rich Harries – Morden, MB Bruce Holmquist – Saskatoon, SK Curtis Kuchinka – Regina, SK Michael Latimer – Calgary, AB
• Courtney MacDougall – Regina, SK • Blake MacMillan – Nokomis, SK • Barry Young – Carievale, SK
Directors already on the Board, serving the second of their two year term are:
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Elmer Eashappie – Regina, SK Doug Fee – De Winton, AB Kim Hextall – Grenfell, SK Chris Lees – Arcola, SK
• Carla Schmitt – Saskatoon, SK • Bryce Thompson – Regina, SK • Levi Wood – Regina, SK
Back Row, L to R: Blake MacMillan, Elmer Eashappie, Reed Andrew, Bruce Holmquist, Chris Lees, Curtis Kuchinka, Kim Hextall, Michael Latimer Front Row, L to R: Courtney MacDougall, Carla Schmitt, Stewart Stone, Doug Fee, Bryce Thompson, Marty Seymour (CEO) Missing: Bryon Burnett, Richard Harries, Deb Niekamp, Kim Onrait, Tom Schwartz, Barry Young, Levi Wood
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Continual Improvement Canadian Western Agribition’s Program Growth Leads to Success anadian Western Agribition (CWA) reported a strong financial performance for the 2014 show, with an operating profit of $614,746. CWA’s success was due to higher than average cattle prices as well as enhanced programming which increased the festive feel of the show. Highlights include the Agribition Express, Full Contact Jousting, and local musical acts such as The Dead South and Blake Berglund.
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What’s New at Agribition 2015 •
President’s Classic Bull Calf Jackpot - presented by Semex
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Champions by Design Club Calf Genetics Sale
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Agribition Express Shuttle Bus Program
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Expanded Music and Entertainment Line-Up
The Future of Rodeo at Agribition odeo is an event that has been part of CWA since 1972 and will continue to be part of the show. After 11 years of partnership, the Canadian Cowboys’ Association (CCA) will hold its last Finals Rodeo performance at the 2015 Agribition. The summer months will be spent exploring rodeo options for the 2016 show. Be assured rodeo will be part of CWA’s future!
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New Bull Calf Competition for 2015 The President’s Classic Presented by Semex WA is excited to announce a new event to appear at the 2015 show, the President’s Classic. The President’s Classic is a purebred bull calf jackpot that will be held on Tuesday, November 24 in the Chevrolet GMC Stadium. Along with the First Lady Classic, the President’s Classic will prove to be an exciting kick-off to the week’s purebred beef programming.
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Beef Committee Chair, Chris Lees, states, “Agribition is excited to include this purebred bull calf competition in the scheduling as a kick-off to the week. We are excited to have Semex on board to help support the introduction of this event.” A panel of three expert cattlemen will judge the calves by breed. All breed champions will return to the ring where they will compete against each other in front of the same panel of judges. Excitement builds as the judges hand in their cards, the scores are tabulated, and the President of the ring is crowned. “Semex is proud to be a part of this inaugural and exciting event. Bulls are our business and we are happy to support Agribition’s platform to identify the next great group of future herd sires developed by purebred beef breeders. This event will be extremely unique in providing the opportunity for breeders to evaluate their genetic progress across the purebred industry against all other breeds on an even playing field,” notes Myles Immerkar, Manager, Global Beef Programs, Semex Alliance. Entries for President’s Classic will close October 1, 2015. For more information, visit www.agribition.com or contact Shawna Fuchs, Livestock & Rodeo Manager at 924-9589 or sfuchs@agribition.com.
Beyond Profits Canadian Western Agribition Recognized by Prime Minister anadian Western Agribition (CWA) was recognized by Prime Minister Stephen Harper for social innovation at the 2015 Prime Minister’s Volunteer Awards held in Toronto, Ontario. The Prime Minister’s Volunteer Awards recognize the exceptional contributions of volunteers, businesses, and not-for-profit organizations in improving the well-being of families and their communities. The Social Innovation award recognizes not-for-profit organizations that use innovative ideas to help build stronger communities and improve their ability to respond to social challenges.
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Volunteer activity is the base of CWA’s job creation, economic activity, international exposure and festive atmosphere. CWA makes a lasting impact on the community educating approximately 6,000 children annually about agriculture. The show attracts 125,000 visitors from more than 70 countries, putting Regina on the map as an agriculture centre of excellence. CWA creates an environment conducive to business by leading the way in the application of technologies such as webcasting, traceability, food safety, and livestock production. Some of the significant contributions to CWA’s success are the working relationships with Regina Folk Festival, Regina Multicultural Council, Regina Regional Opportunities Commission, City of Regina, and the Hill JDC West Business Competition team to name a few.
Canadian Western Agribition Recognized for Community Involvement he Paragon Awards were held on April 2 and recognized CWA as a finalist for the Community Involvement Award. The Paragon Awards are presented annually by the Regina and District Chamber of Commerce and recognize Regina businesses who achieve business excellence. CWA’s engagement with a variety of local organizations helped earn a final spot for this prestigious award.
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“Agribition is a volunteer-based event itself. It’s particularly rewarding to support other volunteer groups and charities around the City for the betterment of our community,” says Marty Seymour, CEO. The Community Involvement Award recognizes an organization that has made an outstanding contribution to the community in the past year by the donation of time, services, or financial support to community activities. Honourable mention to PCL Construction as the other finalist, and congratulations to St. John Ambulance for winning the Community Involvement Award.
Important Dates to Remember •
June 1, 2015 Trade show early bird registration deadline
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June 15, 2015 Trade show renewal deadline
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August 15, 2015 Ranch Horse nomination deadline
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September 1, 2015 Payment deadline for trade show exhibitors
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September 2015 Livestock entry system opens
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October 1, 2015 Livestock entry deadlines
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November 23-28, 2015 Canadian Western Agribition
Hall of Fame Ward Mortenson and Jim Smalley Inducted Into the Canadian Western Agribition Hall of Fame ard Mortenson has been farming at his mixed farm near Last La Mountain Lake for more than 60 years. Ward takes his h responsibilities for fo his own farm business and the b greater agricultural g community very co seriously. He se volunteered tirelessly and provided vo strong leadership of many organizations. Ward was a familiar figure at Agribition for many decades. He played a key role in the development of the swine show and had the honour of burning the brand. He was presented with a 40-year volunteer pin and was recognized at Agribition’s 40th anniversary as one of the exhibitors who had shown every year since 1971. It takes serious commitment to dedicate as much time to both public service and the livestock show ring as Ward has done.
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im became the first Farm News Director at CKCK Radio and Television in 1975. From 1982 until the present day, he has been the Farm News Director at CKRM. Jim’s first visit to Agribition was in 1975, where he conducted an interview from the back of a Brahma bull with a nervous eye on the monkey next to him. Through years of snowstorms, and the record highs and crushing lows of the beef cattle industry, Jim has been at Agribition. The 2014 show marked Jim’s 40th year covering Agribition, and Jim still considers the show one of the highlights of his year. The people who tell stories of agriculture are critical to the industry and to the success of Agribition. The people who can tell those stories with passion, authority, and humour, provide value that can’t be measured.
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Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame Held in Regina as Part of 2015 Canadian Western Agribition he 2015 induction ceremony of the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame Association (CAHFA) will be held in Regina in conjunction with Canadian Western Agribition (CWA). This will be the first time the ceremony has been held in Western Canada.
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The CAHFA celebrates Canadians who have made outstanding contributions to the agriculture and food industry. Portraits are on display in the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame Gallery located at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. In 2014, the ceremony took place in Toronto, Ontario, and three of Canada’s most accomplished ambassadors for the industry were inducted: the late Walter Browarny, Charles Froebe and Dr. Lorne Hepworth. The 2015 CAHF induction ceremony will take place November 22, 2015, at the Radisson Hotel in Regina. Going forward, this event will alternate between Western Canada and Eastern Canada. The list of 2015 inductees will be announced mid 2015.
Working Cowboy Award Bud McArthur Receives Tiny Simpson Memorial Working Cowboy Award Bud McArthur was born on the White Bear First Nation. In his younger years he rode bucking horses, team roped, and roped calves at various rodeos across Canada and the United States. Bud helped produce many CCA approved rodeos, and in 1969 he was the only First Nation decent to be employed by the PFRA and to graduate from their Federal Pasture Program. Bud raised a mass amount of horses and sold them to various rodeo stock contractors. He also hauled bucking horses and timed event cattle. Bud still raises Quarter horses and finds fulfillment in training his colts. Recently, Bud recevied his Gold card from the Canadian Cowboys’ Association and is now retired. He lives on the Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation and is an active elder in the community. He is often asked for his advice on political band issues and is very knowledgeable on the Nakota history.
Bud and family at CWA’s Volunteer Appreciation Night .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Barn Boss of the Year Award 2014 Barn Boss of the Year is Bonnie Thompson Congratulations to Bonnie Thompson of Alameda for receiving the Barn Boss of the Year Award. Bonnie started out as the Tarentaise Barn Boss and then became the Prospect Calf Barn Boss in 2007. She takes great pride in her duties as Barn Boss and refers to it as her “Baby Barn”. Bonnie shows up at the beginning of the show with a huge smile on her face and continues through the week with the same smile and positive attitude. She is always willing to lend a hand and acts not only as a Barn Boss, but also a runner, marshaller, clerk, and wherever else help is needed. This award is well deserved. Congratulations Bonnie!
Past President, Bryan Hadland, presenting the Barn Boss of the Year Award to Bonnie Thompson at the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on April 10, 2015
2014 Long-Service Volunteer Awards
5 Years of Service
10 Years of Service
15 Years of Service
(L to R): Randy Epp, Ken Zemlak, Victor Danchuk, Chris Greyeyes, Gary Freitag, Gerry Wendling, Robert Stephenson Missing: Meagan Bollinger, Mark Johanson, Jordan Konkel, Brian Lindenbach, Lucas Lindenbach, Tabitha Mainil, Glen Pretty, Carla Schmitt
(L to R): Walt Lockie, Lorna Grant, Jeanine Nazarchuk Missing: Carrie Cholak, Campbell Forsyth, Ed Hunter, Larry Stover, Chris Williamson
Carol Evans, Sherri Grant, Barry Young
20 Years of Service
25 Years of Service
30 Years of Service
(L to R): Les Kroeger, Audrey Horkoff, Lorne Lynch Missing: Mark Silzer
(L to R): Marla Grad, Mona Taylor Missing: Dino Claypool, Lyle Pretty
Jim Laturnas
35 Years of Service In Photo: Doug Howe Missing: Bonnie Tweedie
Sta Announcements n April 22nd, the CWA staff along with close family and friends of Sylvia Boyko, celebrated Sylvia’s retirement after 26 years of employment at CWA. Many stories and memories were shared at the event. Sylvia has had a huge impact on the success of both the show and the organization and will be truly missed. All the best in retirement, Sylvia!
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CWA Welcomes New Employees Chris Harris - Communications Associate
Brady Kapovic - Sponsorship Manager rady Kapovic joins the CWA team after being employed at the Ministry of Agriculture. He recently completed his Bachelor of Business Administration at the University of Regina. Brady looks forward to creating partnerships and marketing opportunities for many organizations!
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orey Sentes joins the team having over 16 years of experience in the financial industry. He has experience working with personal and corprate taxation, financial statement preparation, consulting, and insurance administration. Corey was most recently employed with MNP LLP.
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Canadian Western Agribition 2nd Floor Canada Centre, Evraz Place Box 3535, Regina, Saskatchewan Canada S4P 3J8
hris Harris is a media professional, who has called Regina home for the past five years. He has a background in Political Science and Journalism, having studied at York University and Canadore College in Ontario. Chris comes to CWA from 620 CKRM, where he worked as the Senior Reporter.
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Corey Sentes - Controller
P: (306) 565-0565 E: info@agribition.com www.agribition.com @Agribition