This year’s cattle auction for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank almost
didn’t happen when organizers assessed the stressful harvest.
They went ahead and raised $30,000 in 20 minutes at Vold Jones and Vold
Auction at Ponoka in central Alberta.
Farmers donated 57 beef and dairy cattle as well as four sheep, said
Mary Thompson of the foodgrains bank. Auction mart owner Blair Vold
donated the sales ring, staff time and sales commissions.
“The fact that people brought these animals shows the values of
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Albertans even though they have had to buy feed,” Thompson said.
All money raised is matched by the Canadian International Development
Agency on a $4 federal to $1 donation basis. The bank then donates the
proceeds to provide food to developing nations. The most recent project
is an aid program for Ethiopia where a 10-year drought continues. Last
year’s first charitable cattle auction raised $85,000 on 104 head.
This year’s poor harvest also affected the bank’s donations. No crops
were harvested at the bank’s donated fields at Leduc, Bonnyville,
Barrhead, Wainwright or Athabasca due to drought. However, first time
harvests at Medicine Hat, Picture Butte and Nanton went ahead
successfully.
For more information, contact 800-665-0377 or visit
www.foodgrainsbanks.ca.
