BEEF TAKES CENTRE STAGE AT FALL FAIR IN HALIFAX

by Trevor MacDonald

While Thanksgiving weekend for many people means that last trip of the year to the cottage or planning a big turkey dinner, for others it means loading up the cattle and heading to Halifax for the Maritime Fall Fair. The Fair took place Oct. 9-13 at Exhibition Park in Halifax. Attendance numbers appeared to be good with many spectators touring the rows of cattle on display.

Wilfred and Rebecca Gilby were back for another year as coordinators of the beef show and did a top-notch job of running things. After missing last year’s show as she was in New Zealand, Betty Lou Scott was involved once again and took on the task of organizing the junior show.

            The number of beef cattle entered was down a little from last year, but the quality of stock exhibited did not decrease. It was encouraging to see the Limousin breed return to Halifax. It has been several years since they last had a breed show at the Fall Fair. The Hereford breed topped the beef show in numbers. Other breeds shown included Angus, Shorthorn, Simmental, and commercial cattle.

            The open show was judged by Martin Mason, a Shorthorn breeder from Drumbo, Ontario. He was very impressed with the quality of the cattle presented before him over the two days he judged. It was a particularly good year for the Simmental breed, taking home both Supreme Champion titles. CDM Broker Boondock 18B was named Supreme Champion Bull, while CDM Shameless 604S won the Supreme Champion Female title. Both champions were exhibited by CDM Simmentals of Nova Scotia.

The annual Cinderella Classic drew 12 entries of various breeds. Patrick Holland of P.E.I. judged this class, and selected Thunderbrook 719T Bailey 1B, exhibited by Thunderbrook Farms of Nova Scotia, as the winner.

            The Maritime Hereford Heifer Calf Futurity was also held during the fair. Jay Hiltz of Nova Scotia had the task of placing the 12 entries that paraded into the ring. He chose Thunderbrook 719T Bailey 1B, from Thunderbrook Farms, as the Champion Heifer.

            The last day of the fair, Thanksgiving Monday, saw the juniors take centre stage. The Maritime Fall Fair Junior Show had 41 young cattlemen from around the Maritimes take part in judging, showmanship, and conformation classes. The judging competition was judged by John Siddall from Nova Scotia, while Kurt Duncan of P.E.I. awarded the prizes in the showmanship and conformation classes. The top judge was Heather Creamer of Nova Scotia. Fellow Nova Scotian Wyatt Oulton was the Champion Showman, followed by Logan Ford of P.E.I. as Reserve Champion Showman.

            There was more for Simmental breeders to be happy about, as a Simmental female was the champion of the junior show. BJM Queen Lolynda 4B, exhibited by Brady Matheson of P.E.I., took home the Champion honors. The Reserve Champion was an Angus female, Bannockburn Valley Rose 7A, exhibited by Nicole Booth of New Brunswick.

            When all the scores of the three components of the junior show were added up, Patrick Holland of P.E.I. was awarded the title of Overall Champion.

            Beef show organizers were pleased with the success of the show and are already talking about next year’s event.