The crisp new Maritime Fall Fair launched its debut on the Thanksgiving weekend in Halifax, giving Island Beef Livestock exhibitors a chance to showcase their wares - and showcase they did as many of the top awards travelled home to PEI.
The judge was a new face in Atlantic Livestock circles, Mr. Casey Fanta of Maine, USA, who has livestock in Ontario, placed the Shorthorn, Charolais, Aberdeen Angus and Simmental breeds. Since there were a number of types of cattle within the breeds, it made for an interesting show with the thicker, lower set bodied cattle edging toward the top.
In the Angus breed, there was a nice mix of newcomers and more experienced exhibitors vying for the honours. Bannockburn Farm owned by Boyd and Mack Dixon of Clyde River were able to take away the Grand Champion Female award with Bannockburn Valley Rose, a picture perfect yearling. Cliff McKenna, Hunter River, guided Snake Creek Iceman to the winners circle to take the Grand Champion Male title. He also slid in next to the Dixon heifer to take Reserve Champion Female with CKM Kelsey 2K. Worth-a-Bit Angus owned by Eric & Tim Dixon took a first with their Cow and Calf combination Worth-a-Bit Gorgeous 2G, and Kenneth Coles of Springvale Angus Farm had a second with Springvale Miss Estonia 53J.
The Charolais show was made up entirely of exhibits from PEI with Wayne Crosby of New Haven being the man to beat. He was awarded the Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor awards for his efforts. David Francis of Lady Fane was the runner up for these awards. Mr. Francis topped the Breeders herd class and captured the Champion Male ribbon with Lady Fane Raven Gold. In this class, Crosby settled for Reserve with Crosby's Sir King 8K. Jessie Crosby had a nice win with Mme Jackie llJ, while new breeder Ricky Milton of Covehaven Farm, Cornwall PO had a third place standing in this yearling heifer class. George Dixon, Cornwall, provided competition in the Cow and Calf class. Wayne Crosby's Cros Ms Emily 1G was named Grand Champion female while Jessie Crosby's Mne Jackie llJ took the Reserve Champion female.
In the Shorthorn Show, Cloverdale Shorthorns owned by Marvin Peters of Springfield was the undisputed PEI winner. His herd completed a successful run this Show season by capturing the Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor awards. As well as taking a first with I'm KooKoo and a third in one split of the Yearling heifer class, he also stood first with his two-year-old Cloverdale JV Explosion 1N who went on to be named Reserve Grand Champion Female. Seymour Hurry of Winsloe gleaned the Grand Champion Female spot with PEI Hyacinth 99. Spruce Brook Shorthorns owned by Roger Docherty of Hampshire pocketed a red ribbon with his yearling bull Spruce Brook Jack 319J.
The Simmental Show saw tough competition between several Island herds. Gentec Ltd. Simmentals owned by Dr. Mel Crane of Kensington emerged with the Premier Breeder prize while Don and Andrew Godfrey of FreyLawny Farms in Cornwall were awarded the Grand Champion Female rosette for their Yearling heifer FreyLawny Jennifer. They also topped the Breeders Herd class. Getec Ltd took the Reserve Champion Female nod with Rolling Hills Fancy. Bronwyn Crane of Kensington picked up a second prize in the Cow and Calf section while Raxawa Simmentals of Kensington also provided some competition.
There was no Hereford Show at the Maritime Fall Fair.