Shout out to Beef Expo volunteers and judges
By Joan Janzen
The Beef Expo, sponsored by Big Country Ag Society, was again a big success. It takes a huge amount of volunteer hours to plan, prepare and set up the two-day event. Committee members, the 4-H, ag society, along with the community all pulled together to make it happen. And, of course, the judges always play a big role.
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Barclay Smith was the conformation judge for the youth show. Barclay and his wife and kids have been raising purebred Simmental cattle for 25 years. He enjoys every opportunity to adjudicate livestock and work with junior livestock exhibitors. He has judged multiple 4-H, youth and open shows across much of Alberta.
Dianne Westerlund was the showmanship judge for Sunday’s youth show. She is a former 4-H’er, 4-H parent and assistant 4-H Beef Club Leader. She and her husband, Tim run purebred horned Herefords under the Diamond T brand. Dianne has also managed the Chinook Applied Research Association for many years.
There were three panel judges for the pen show: Steve Bignell, Doug Norris and Cal Logan. Cal and his family operate Logan Ranching near Oyen. They have a busy household, as his wife, Dr. Tracey Logan, is a vet at the Oyen Vet Clinic. Cal’s contribution to the Beef Expo was greatly appreciated.
Steve Bignell of Bignell Cattle Company has four generations living in the same yard at Youngstown, AB. When Steve and his wife aren’t busy at home ranching, they can be found at the hockey rink cheering on their three boys.
Sibbald’s own Doug Norris has been a farmer and rancher his whole life and just recently retired. Doug started 4-H at 13 years of age and has continued to enjoy it with his children and now his grandchildren. He has shown cattle in Calgary, as well as Regina, and still enjoys cattle shows and sales.
A big shout-out to all the judges and volunteers for all their work.