Caleb Nickerson
TORONTO Nov. 3-12, 2017
The Pontiac was well represented at the most recent iteration of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (RAWF), held Nov. 3 – 12 in Toronto. With over 5,000 animals on display each year, it is billed as a showcase of the “best of the best” in Canadian agriculture.
Several local farmers made strong impressions with their animals.
Brett MacKechnie of Bonnieshade Farms was pleased with how this year’s competition went. Their Ayrshire cow, Bonnieshade Reese’s Pieces was second place Junior two year-old and Honourable Mention Intermediate Champion.

He said that his family started showing at the Royal the year before World War II and has only missed a handful of years since. He said that preparation for the event typically begins months before, by making the rounds of the local fairs.
“[It takes] a while,” he said. “Getting them to lead well is the big thing.”
MacKechnie added that despite all the work that goes into taking five cows to Toronto for a week, he looks forward to attending the RAWF.
“I guess just competing, you know. Trying to see if you have the best animals out there,” he said. “It’s not really a holiday, you almost work harder there than you do at home.”
Another Pontiac breeder that had an excellent showing was Wendy Stewart of Dunraven Simmentals, whose cattle did well individually and as a herd.
Dunraven Dude was named Reserve Champion Simmental Bull and their heifers Dunraven Elsa, Dunraven Endless Whiskey and Dunraven Day Kiss were named third, second and second respectively.
This was Stewart’s 14th year attending the RAWF but it was the first time she had shown a breeder’s herd, or a collection of animals with at least one male, from the same breeder. Dunraven’s herd took third place, which Stewart saw as a huge triumph.
“To stand in the ring of excellence with your fellow Simmental breeders and be slapped third was the best feeling ever,” she said.
This year was an especially tough one for Stewart. Just weeks before the fair, her mother passed away and she said she really didn’t feel like attending. Her family, as well as her “show family,” encouraged her to go and she said she was very pleased with the results.
“It was an awesome Royal,” she said.
Ryan Currie of Blacklane Farm was another local farmer who made a splash down in the big city. EXAR PRINCESS 6797, an Angus heifer he owns with three other partners, was named Grand Champion Female.
“This was an exceptional year,” he wrote in an email.
Currie explained that he has been attending the RAWF for 15 years, originally as a herdsman for JD Farms and for the last six years with his own cattle.
This year he made the rounds to 11 shows as far flung as Denver, CO., which he said is a great way to promote your business and network with other breeders. The Equity actually reached Currie on his way back from the Canadian Western Agribition in Regina Sask., where he showed two cows.
“The main reasons for attending all these shows is truly about showcasing our breeding program and operation as well as seeing and meeting the people of our great industry,” he wrote.
Jerry Barber of Clarendon took down three cows to the RAWF.
“The yearling was fourth and the calf was Calf Champion and the cow with the calf beside was Senior Champion and Reserve Champion Simmental,” he said.
Barber explained all the hard work that goes into preparing cattle for shows.
“You have to monitor that animal on a weekly basis to know if they’re responding to the feed and so you know if they’re overconditioned, undercondiditoned,” he said. “Everyone’s a little different.”
Barber said he has been going to the RAWF for many years and keeps coming back because of the camaraderie among fellow farmers.
“The exhibitors, they’re friends of mine,” he said. “We compete desperately in the ring but before the show and after the show, it’s great friendship. Farmers are good people.”