Calgary Stampede Classic Dairy Shows 2016

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The Calgary Stampede Classic Dairy Shows 2016 will feature this years Canadian National Holstein Convention Show placed by Gerald Coughlin, ON, along with the Dairy Classic Jersey Show placed by Andrew Vander Meulen, ON. These shows will take place on Thursday, April 21st at the Calgary Stampede Agrium Western Events Center. The show will feature some great cash prizes (see below). Cowsmo will be providing coverage of these shows thanks to Select Sires Genervations & St Jacobs ABC!

Visit the Canadian National Holstein Convention Page

Entries are due APRIL 1st for the Classic Dairy Shows! Be sure to order your banquet tickets with your entries!

ENTRY INFORMATION

2016 CALGARY CONVENTION SHOW: THE BEST IN THE WEST… AND MORE!

Calgary, Alta. – The infamous phrase “The Best in the West” has never rung truer than when it comes to describing the upcoming Holstein Canada Convention Show, to be held in the “newly opened” Calgary Stampede Agrium Western Events Center on Thursday, April 21st. This activity is slated as a definite highlight of the Holstein Canada National Convention, hosted this year by Alberta Holstein members in conjunction with the Calgary Stampede’s Dairy Classic Show.

“The Convention Committee has worked extremely hard to ensure the National Show is a very successful and memorable event for both the many exhibitors from across Western Canada, and the hundreds of spectators from every Canadian province,” proudly states 2016 Convention Committee Chairman, Glenn Hockley.

This “Grand Event” will innovate at many levels. Judge Gerald Coughlin from Peterborough, Ontario will have tough choices to make while judging Red & White (R&Ws) and Black & White (B&Ws) Holsteins simultaneously, while Andrew VanderMeulen completes his Jersey judging at the same time.

Highlights include:

• The top two R&W’s in each class will come back for R&W Championships in each of the Junior, Intermediate and Senior categories.
• Working with Holstein Canada, translation will be provided to allow the significant Québec based attendees to hear reasons in their language – and to reflect the true National nature of this activity.
• Prize money has been increased, starting at $250 and $300 for heifer and milking classes respectively. Winners from the first 10 places will be compensated for a total of nearly $1,200 and $1,500/class for each of these categories.
• Prize money for the Grand Champion B&W Holstein will be $1,000 courtesy of WestGen, while owners of the Reserve B&W Champion and the R&W Champion will take home $500.
• Due to the “interbreed” aspect of this event, a Supreme Champion showdown between the B&W, R&W and the Jersey Champion has been organized, with the winner being awarded a trip for two to anywhere the Western Canadian based airline WestJet flies.
• For the first time at a Western Canada Show, Holstein Canada’s complete “Show Ethics Program” will apply: this includes barn monitoring, topline hair measurement, and udder ultra-sounding for all lactating classes.
• The greatest innovation is without a doubt Canada’s first ever “genomic class”. The top two animals in the five heifer classes, meeting a minimum of 2600 GLPI, will return for a Genomic Championship Class, where top awards will be based on conformation. The Champion Genomic heifer will receive $1,000 from Holstein Canada, and an IVF collection certificate from Boviteq West valued at $2,000. Reserve and Honourable Mention heifers will receive $500 and $250 respectively.

”Our Western Canadian exhibitors are first and foremost motivated by their pride and passion – showing runs in their veins,” adds Show Committee Chair Debbie Lee. “They are very excited about showcasing our great genetics to their fellow breeders from across Canada. We are glad to reward their efforts with over $30,000 in prize money, recognizing this covers only a part of their costs.”

Spectators will be exposed to more than just great Western dairy genetics – they will experience Western Canadian culture at its best! During the day, participants can become more familiar with Canadian agriculture companies by visiting a Trade Show of more than 20 companies on the concourse level of the show ring. The location will allow spectators the convenience of easy access and give companies a high traffic area.

Once the judges have selected their coveted Supreme Champion of the day, Western entertainment will consist of a demonstration by the Mounted Rifle Shooting Team and trick riders. This will be followed by an Awards Banquet at the end of the show where, during a delicious meal, the prestigious Premier Exhibitor and Breeder banners will be presented and the generosity of sponsors will be recognized. Participants will then move on to Beautiful Banff for the next Convention activities while the four-legged participants start their long journey home.

See you in Calgary on April 21st!

HOLSTEIN CANADA 2016 CONVENTION INNOVATES WITH GENOMIC CHAMPION CLASS
Brantford, Ont – The 2016 National Holstein Convention Show will be the first show in Canada to spotlight how genomics and conformation go hand in hand, by honouring top genomic heifers in the show ring. This will take place at the show in Calgary on April 21st under the watchful eye of Judge Gerald Coughlin, and in front of Holstein breeders from across Canada.
“Western Canadians have always been keen on new technology and new ideas, all while breeding great cows,” states Convention Chairman, Glenn Hockley. “It just seemed right to highlight genomics as we welcome our fellow Canadians to this showcase of great Western animals.”
The two animals from each of the first five heifer classes with the highest GLPIs (minimum GLPI 2600) will be eligible to participate in this Genomic Championship Class. The Genomic Grand Champion will take home a $1,000 cash prize, sponsored by Holstein Canada along with a certificate for a free IVF collection in B.C. at Boviteq West, courtesy of WestGen. The Reserve and Honourable Mention Genomic Champions will leave the ring with a $500 and $250 cheque respectively, thanks to sponsors Benbie Holsteins and RockyMountain Holsteins.
“Holstein Canada applauds the 2016 Convention Committee for its innovative and progressive initiative of including a Genomic Championship Class at the upcoming Convention Show,” adds Holstein Canada CEO, Ann Louise Carson. “This idea has been circulating in our membership recently as Holstein breeders discover the many advantages of genotesting – as both a management and marketing tool.”
The secret to success for interested exhibitors will be respecting some tight deadlines. Genomic samples (tail hair) need to be at the Holstein Canada office by March 14th to ensure genomic results will be analyzed by show time. Please use the form found here: https://www.holstein.ca/PublicContent/PDFS/GenoRequest_EN.pdf
Exhibitors are encouraged to write “Convention Show” on the form. Please note, Holstein Canada, and its affiliated labs, cannot guarantee results for samples received after March 14th. For more details, please contact Janine at Holstein Canada at , ext. 206 or jeygenraam@holstein.ca.