New to Cattle Shows? Start here
Farmfair International showcases some of the finest beef cattle genetics in Canada. If you're new to the industry, Cattle 101 is your guide to understanding the breeds, competitions, and championships that make Farmfair one of Canada's premier livestock events.
What Happens at Farmfair?
Throughout the event, exhibitors from across Canada bring their top animals to compete in breed shows and championship events. Judges evaluate cattle based on a variety of factors including structure, soundness, performance, and overall breed characteristics.
The week culminates in prestigious championship competitions where the best animals compete for top honours.
Understand The Breeds
Black Angus
Known for their solid black coat, Angus cattle are admired for their maternal traits, adaptability, and high-quality beef.
Red Angus
Sharing many of the same qualities as Black Angus, Red Angus are known for their red coat colour and strong commercial appeal.
Hereford
Recognizable by their red bodies and white faces, Herefords are one of the world's most established beef breeds.
Charolais
Originally developed in France, Charolais cattle are known for their white or cream-coloured coats, size, and growth performance.
Simmental
One of Canada's most popular beef breeds, Simmentals are known for their versatility, muscle development, and maternal characteristics.
Limousin
Originally from France, Limousins are known for efficiency, muscle expression, and lean beef production.
Maine-Anjou
A larger-framed breed recognized for growth, performance, and eye-catching show cattle.
Gelbvieh
Known for fertility, longevity, and strong maternal traits, Gelbvieh cattle perform well in commercial and purebred operations.
Speckle Park
Developed in Canada, Speckle Park cattle are easily identified by their distinctive spotted colouring and efficient performance.
Shorthorn
One of the oldest beef breeds, Shorthorns are valued for their adaptability, maternal qualities, and balanced performance.
Salers
Originally from France, Salers cattle are known for calving ease, longevity, and hardiness.
Other Breeds
Farmfair International welcomes a variety of breeds and crossbreeds that showcase the diversity and strength of the beef industry.
Understanding the Competition
Breed Shows
Each breed competes separately, with animals judged against others within their breed.
Champion Female & Champion Bull
Top animals are selected within each breed after a series of classes.
Junior Supreme
Junior exhibitors have the opportunity to showcase elite cattle and compete against winners from multiple breed shows.
Supreme Championship
One of the most prestigious titles at Farmfair International. Breed champions compete for the honour of being named Supreme Champion.
Why it Matters
Farmfair International is more than a competition. It is a showcase of genetics, years of breeding decisions, animal husbandry, and the future of the beef industry. Producers, buyers, agriculture professionals, and visitors all come together to celebrate excellence in Canadian agriculture.
Learn Before You Watch
Not sure where to start? Farmfair offers several ways for visitors to learn more about cattle and the people who raise them.
Take a Barn Tour
Go behind the scenes and discover what goes into preparing cattle for competition. Learn about grooming, feeding, genetics, daily care, and what judges look for in the show ring.
Visit the Ag Education Zone
Explore interactive exhibits focused on agriculture, food production, animal care, and life on the farm. Perfect for families, students, and anyone curious about where their food comes from.
Meet the Exhibitors
Many exhibitors are happy to answer questions about their cattle, breeding programs, and what it takes to compete at Farmfair International.