Jenkins Ranche: Friday Flashback - World Hereford Conference

Things have been busy around here – while we were away at Edmonton dad decided that we should build a new shed for our few early calving cows. After seeing the wind blow across our yard the last couple of weeks – we all agreed that the shed was going to be a “must have” if we wanted to keep calves alive here in February !

Now – normally we calve in April/May --- so why are we calving so early this year ? Because .... The World Hereford Conference is coming to Alberta in July 2012 ! We are already getting excited about the show next summer – I thought I would dig up a little info. about the previous World Hereford Conference’s held in Canada -- so here are a few things I found to share with all of you !

(NOTE: I could not find any info. on other Conferences in Canada beside the 1976 one -- I believe there was another smaller one held -- but no official cattle show took place ? -- my apoligies for the lack of info. -- if anyone can fill in the blanks for us here that would be great !)

“When the 7th World Hereford Conference delegates gathered for the first time in Canada at Banff on June 27th – July 3rd (1976) it was the largest single meeting of seed stock producers held anywhere. Over 800 people from over 20 countries made their way with some difficulty due to air traffic control problems to the five day event held every four years since its founding in 1951”

~ quoted from Alberta Hereford Heritage book

Of course there were a number of “tours” scheduled during the 1976 Conference – including visits to George Templetons (XTC Herefords), McIntyre Ranch, Bar Pipe Farms, Ulrich Herefords, Hansons Bell L, Jones Hereford Ranches, Rusticana, Colpitts Ranches, Pirmez Hereford Ranch, B&H Herefords and of course a tour to the Alberta Hereford Test Centre.

Said the Canadian Hereford Digest in its September 1976 issue: “ The nearly three weeks of activities connected with the World Hereford Conference concluded with the International Hereford Show staged July 8th and 9th (1976). And what a fitting climax this event proved to be ! Held in the spacious Stampede Corral at the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede Park, the quality and well presented entries from eight provinces and eleven states in the United States provided a tremendous show for the huge crowd present, which represented at least 25 countries” ~ quoted from the Alberta Hereford Heritage Book

Champion Polled Bull

Stanway Lad 41F Champ. H.Herford Bull

“Under the chairmanship of Lloyd Pickard of Olds the show moved along smoothly without a hitch through the two days of judging” The show arena was divided into two sections with the Polled Herefords and Horned Herefords showing separately, but simultaneously. Judging the strong Polled Hereford show was W.W. Donaldson of Louada Farms at Petercorough, Ontario, assisted by Ron Pitchford of Pleasant Valley Farms at Melfort, Saskatchewan. Judging the excellent exhibit of Horned Herefords were George Edgar of Little Red Deer Farms at Innisfail and Joe Rogers of Penticton, B.C. , Manit ~ quoted from the Alberta Hereford Heritage Book

Other statistics:

Total number of livestock entries received -- 777

People who attended the Conference, Tours and Shows --- approx. 15 000

Attendance at the show --- 1800 for the females --- 2300 for the bulls

People registered for the Conference in Banff -- nearly 1000

Largest attendance on the tour -- B&H Farms -- over 2000 people

The 2012 World Hereford Conference is now in it's 16th year and is to be held in Canada July 8th – 25th 2012. As it was in 1976 – there will be a number of tours throughout the country beginning in B.C. and moving on to Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. In between these tours is the main Conference to once again be held at the Calgary Exhibition Park, and will allow visitors to take in the World Famous Calgary Stampede & Rodeo. During this time the World Hereford Show is to take place at Olds, AB – along with a Junior Program/Show and “Rancher Day”.