Western Canadian Livestock Expo returns to Saskatoon

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

A prime opportunity is right around the corner for dairy and pork producers to see the latest equipment and products available to help them advance their operations.

The 2007 Western Canadian Livestock Expo will continue to showcase the most recent developments in technology and genetics for both the dairy and pork industries.

The show is being held April 25 and 26 at the Prairieland Park in Saskatoon. It’s organized by the Prairieland Park Corporation, and co-sponsored by Sask Pork and Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF).

Troy Donauer, a Livestock Development Specialist with SAF, says this year’s Expo provides trade show exhibitors, producers, and patrons with expanded marketing and networking opportunities.

“We’ve done a number of things to try and make the show better. We’re offering a free ‘Farmyard Lunch’ from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on April 25 for all the exhibitors and the people attending to mix and mingle. It’s a good networking opportunity for all involved,” he said.

“The show is also a great opportunity for producers to meet and talk with one another, to see what’s working in each other’s operations, converse over a coffee, learn what’s going on in the industry, and hear the latest scuttlebutt.”

Donauer says the trade show portion of the Expo is the place where those in the dairy and pork industry get to see the latest technology and equipment to make their operations more efficient, such as the latest electronic feeding systems.

For exhibitors such as feed companies or equipment manufacturers, it gives them a chance to spread their products around, touch different markets, and gain the exposure they need to be successful. “They get to be seen by a pretty big audience with one appearance,” he stated.

Another important part of the Expo is the educational component. School tours are being organized for grade five students to learn about various aspects of “Milk and Pork Production.” Tour guides host the students, and qualified resource people conduct 15-minute presentations at five stations discussing the processing of milk and milk products, the milking parlour, the dairy cow’s diet, nutritional aspects of dairy production, and pork production today.

“Last year, the Expo was scheduled over the Easter school break, and the school tours were really missed by everyone,” Donauer said. “The tours are going to resume again this year, which we’re all happy about.”

Education will be a key focus for producers and industry stakeholders, as well. Three training seminars – a low-stress pig handling workshop, a Trucker Quality Assurance certification course for hog haulers and transporters, and an animal care assessment tool information session – will be offered over the course of the two days, with leading industry experts on hand to conduct presentations.

While there is a $75 registration fee for the pig handling workshop, the other two seminars are offered at no cost to participants.

The public may also be interested in taking in the various livestock shows and sales occurring throughout the event, involving dairy cattle in several different categories.

Public admittance to the 2007 Western Canadian Livestock Expo is free of charge.

For more information on the events surrounding the Expo, including how to book school tours for grade five classes, visit the Prairieland Park website at www.saskatoonex.com, or call toll free 1-888-931-9333.

For more information, contact:
Troy Donauer, Livestock Development Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 933-5096