Cattlemen to hold convention in Osoyoos
Expect to see some cowboys on Main Street.
The B.C. Cattlemen's Association is holding its convention here in Osoyoos from May 26 to May 28 at the Sunbowl Arena.
You should expect to see up to 500 smiling cowboys in your town soon, B.C. Cattlemen's Association information officer Carl Witchler said.
Witchler said the Association tries to pick a new location for their convention every year, so Osoyoos was a good choice.
He added while Osoyoos isn't a centre for cattle production or ranching, surrounding communities such as Rock Creek and Keremeos are.
The convention is partly an annual general meeting dealing with internal association business, as well as an information exchange and trade show.
The trade show will be focused on beef production, but there will also be items of interest to other agricultural areas, like farmers, orchardists, and vintners, Witchler said.
The association will also elect a new president and board at the convention, which is combined with their annual general meeting.
Information sessions will also be held on May 28, dubbed Education Day.
Witchler said there are many issues to be tackled, such as the possibility of a national park in the area.
But the ongoing BSE (or 'mad cow disease') crisis, which has had an enormous impact on the cattle industry across Canada, will be at the top of the agenda.
We'll discuss things like the current status of the United States in regards to opening the border, Witchler said.
He said the convention is also a good opportunity for cattlemen to talk directly with MLA Bill Barisoff, as well as federal MPs and senior level bureaucrats.
