The Manitoba AG EX is coming up in October and promises to be one of, if not the biggest, in recent memory, says Committee Chair Dallas Johnston.
"Yes, entries are open now and we're suggesting people get their entries in sooner than later because we have 4 National Shows and an International Show this year," explains Johnston. "So, we're probably going to be a little tight for room. We're going to have a 600-head limit so we're telling people to get their entries in well before October 1st, so they don't miss out!"
The Manitoba AG EX is the largest purebred cattle show in Manitoba held every year in October. It attracts cattle producers from across the Prairie Provinces and Ontario to showcase the best of the best of their herds.
The annual event will be marking its 50th Anniversary this year, and Johnston says there will be a unique highlight in the showing ring, called 'The Players' Club', hosted by the Charolais Association of Manitoba. Participants purchase a membership into The Players' Club and show their best yearling bull. By process of elimination, it comes down to the last yearling bull, its owner winning the $50,000 cash prize.
Johnston says this is a way for the Charolais Association to create some excitement amongst their breeders, "and it creates some excitement for us too because it's going to be here at our event this year. It's been done in other provinces, but it is the first time it is being done here!"
"As soon as that is over, that bull becomes the property of the Manitoba Charolais Association, and then Thursday night they're having a sale and that bull will lead off the sale and they will sell him," he adds.
Entries to all nine cattle shows, including Host of the Nationals for Angus, Charolais, Western Hereford, Shorthorn and Simmental are now open, as well as entries for the Gelbvieh, Limousin, Speckle Park and the Scottish Highland Breed. The entry deadline is October 1, 2023.
For those interested in entering in the cattle show, please visit the Provincial Exhibition website's Manitoba AG EX page HERE!
“We’re very happy with how preparations are going for this year’s Nationals Show,” says Johnston. “We couldn’t be happier with the response that we’ve had from our many sponsors, exhibitors and producers. It will be great to see more livestock, an expanded tradeshow and equipment displays,” he adds.
Among the shows expected to draw much attention will be the Lady Classic, Jackpot Bull and Friday’s Supreme Breed Extravaganza. Friday’s show will be followed by a special “Party in the Dirt” social, featuring live music from Hicktown!
New to last year was the sheep show, and Johnston says it was such a huge hit last year, there was no hesitation to bring it back!
Tickets to the social will be “free” to all producers and exhibitors and $10.00 for the general public, however, you must be 18+ years of age to attend.
Those tickets are yet to go on sale, therefore be sure to watch our social media and website for further updates. Other highlights of this year’s event will include the 2nd Annual Sheep Show and Sale as well as over forty tradeshow exhibits, and equipment displays.
The 2023 AG EX, which will be marking its 50th Anniversary, is scheduled to run from October 25-28th in the Keystone Centre’s Western AG Centre of Excellence in Brandon.
For more information on this year’s Manitoba AG EX be sure to visit www.provincialexhibition.com
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