The Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition Association (LAEA) is celebrating their 100th annual Pride of the Prairies Bull Show and Sale. The region’s premier bull show and sale, sponsored by Canadian Natural Resources Limited and Royal Bank of Canada, is a long-standing tradition coming March 3 and 4 to the Lloydminster Exhibition Grounds.
Bulls will be shown and sold in halter and pen format; currently, 6 breeds are entered with 141 bulls on offer. The Sunday show is at 1:30 p.m. followed by a steak fry and 100th Year Celebration Social. Saturday will also feature the Justamere Progress Steer and Heifer shows at 3 p.m., held in conjunction with the event. Sunday will also feature the GMack Progress Steer and Heifer Show at 9 a.m., supported by Weaver Order Buying.
The 100th year celebration will be made special featuring dignitaries, a slideshow presentation on the last 100 years, special presentations and a cake cutting. Agriculture manager at the Lloydminster Agriculture Exhibition, Sydney Lake, says the achievement didn’t happen overnight. Dedication from consignors, bull buyers, sales staff, volunteers and board members helped make this big milestone possible.
“It’s definitely a very large milestone. We’re one of the last consignor bull sales left; most people have gone to their own sale. This kind of gives a chance for either smaller producers, or producers just entering the industry to showcase their breeding stock. That kind of stuff makes it unique. Honestly, it’s been a long journey, but it’s been an exciting one,” says Lake.
Lake adds that it’s been exciting to watch the industry evolve over the past 100 years. The industry has made significant advances in that time period. Lake says the LAEA has been going through old photos and artifacts from some of the first sales observing how things have changed.
“It’s really cool to see how the cattle have changed, and who our consignors have been, and all that stuff. It’s very cool and we are just so excited to have it happen.”
The show is also an opportunity for producers who are starting out to get some exposure. With an online and hardcopy catalogue, the many people who come through over the weekend get a chance to see the many options available. Lake says the show is also an opportunity for producers to network and make connections in the industry.
“Farmers and producers love to visit, and they would be more than willing to visit with those that come down and talk about their cattle and farms. They’re ready to showcase all that great stuff,” says Lake. Sale day is Sunday at 1 p.m. following a complimentary beef on a bun.