ABS: I recently read the article titled “Elite Beef Expo puts best face forward: scaled down showcase shines at the Nova Scotia Provincial Ex” in the Fall edition of ABS. The article discussed how a long-going traditional exhibition has been scaled down to benefit financially. There used to be 100-200 head of cattle at the Nova Scotia Exhibition for the duration of the annual summer show in Truro. This year, the show was capped at 100, with only a total of 89 animals exhibited in Angus, Hereford, Limousin, and Simmental. Exhibitions across Nova Scotia, and more so across Canada, have the purpose of displaying agriculture to those with an eagerness to learn more about the industry. They also give farmers a chance to gather and socialize with others.

These opportunities also give farmers a chance to trade knowledge and discuss production and improvements on their farms. Downsizing shows like these decreases farmers’ willingness to transport the finest animals from their herd, because of the high cost of transport for so few livestock. Especially for Simmental breeders, the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition was a large event that gave great publicity for the farmer and gave them a chance to have a great profit. Making these shows smaller may be more cost efficient to house less cattle, but it could be slowly taking a toll on attendance by exhibitors and attendees. I feel that the tradition should be kept alive; the bigger the better.

Melanie Porter

Student, Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture

Bible Hill, N.S.

ABS: I am writing in response to an article in the Fall 2015 edition titled “The roulette wheel or the guaranteed return?” by Cathy Vallis. This article attracted my attention because of the fitting title. It had me nodding my head in agreement until the advice was given for sending lambs through the open market. The article began by discussing how finding local processors to take your lambs can be a secure way to market your lambs. It was then recommended to market only your best quality lambs if you are choosing to use the open market as a means of processing. This statement made me stop, and reread the sentence in disbelief. Did we not just discuss how risky the open market is and how it is the equivalent to playing a roulette wheel? Sending your best, high-end lambs through a market that fluctuates greatly from week to week seems like a recipe for disaster to me. If it’s such a high-risk gamble, why send your best lambs?

Brittany MacDonald

Student, Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture

Bible Hill, N.S.

ABS invited a response from columnist Cathy Vallis. “The fact of the matter is this: If you are going to choose a livestock auction, anywhere, to market your lambs as your only sale venue – and some people do choose to do that – the same rule applies. Always market your best animals to gain the best prices.”