The Manitoba Ag Ex -- formerly know as the Manitoba Livestock Expo -- brought cattle shows, sheepdogs, and bull riders to Brandon this weekend, with shows wrapping up today.

Russell Thompson, a shorthorn breed who showed at the Ag Ex, says it's an important event for Manitoba breeders, and right now is a great time to be in the beef industry.

"A lot of guys now it seems are taking a little bit more risks and everything now that the market is a little safer, and it sure is nice to see that everybody has a real positive outlook on the beef industry right now."

But another main highlight of the Ag Ex for Thompson was getting to see old friends and new young entrants in the cattle industry.

"It is absolutely great to see all these young faces," he says, "all hard-working and all very happy to be here. And such a huge number of cattle just goes to show you people still want to come out and show off their cattle and get to town and enjoy seeing each other again."

This year's Ag Ex saw over 100 exhibitors and close to 600 head of cattle.