After 107 years, the Calgary Bull Sale continues to adjust and give customers what they want, says the president of the Alberta Cattle Breeders Association, which stages the event held March 7-8.
The sale has been shrinking, so the association board is exploring ways to refresh the event and keep the crowds coming. Some of the shrinkage is beyond the association’s control.
“The part that has hit the Calgary Bull Sale is the droughts of the early 2000s and BSE closing the border,” said Glen Stankievech. His family are longtime Hereford breeders and supporters of the Calgary Bull Sale since the 1940s. He started selling in 1978.
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Many cattle producers lost thousands of dollars in forfeited sales and good relations with past customers when BSE stopped trade. About 150 bulls used to be exported from this sale.
Another change was the Simmental breeders’ decision to pull out in favour of increasing the number of private production sales held each spring.
“They were a great offering. You could come and buy your Hereford and Simmental bulls at the same time,” Stankievech said.
This year, all the breed associations received invitations to join. The sale had Hereford, Angus and Charolais consigned.
More emphasis is being placed on customer service and keeping people entertained, said Stankievech. A ranch horse show and sale draws crowds. A stock dog demonstration is a crowd pleaser and the board is discussing a dog sale next year.
For the last two years, all sale bulls were checked by ultrasound for ribeye and backfat depth for added information.
Annual buyer surveys are conducted and the board was told participants like a shorter, two day format so they can get back home for calving and other spring chores.
They also told the consignors they want halter-broken bulls that are not entering the ring coifed, polished and hair sprayed.
“Ranchers want to see the cattle looking more natural. We’re also trying to reduce the labour for the consignors,” he said.
A new agriculture facility is being built at Stampede Park. The old buildings dating back to the 1940s will remain until new structures are built with consultation from livestock groups about what is needed.
The sales grounds are on the edge of downtown Calgary so manoeuvring stock trailers and fighting traffic are a challenge. Stankievech hopes traffic and parking will be less frustrating in the new location.
This year’s sale grossed $914,750 on 242 bulls to average $3,780. Last year’s average on 311 bulls was $3,733.
The average price for 76 Angus was $3,620. The Charolais had 36 bulls averaging $3,466 and the Herefords sold 134 bulls to average $3,945.
The grand and reserve champions came from Mabel and Gavin Hamilton, owners of Belvin Angus at Innisfail, Alta. The grand champion and high selling bull sold for $11,250 to Kenbert Acres of Drake, Sask., and the reserve sold for $9,500 to Marilyn Pollit of Leslieville, Alta. This was the fifth consecutive grand champion for the Hamiltons.
The grand champion Charolais bull came from Duane and Corrine Parsonage of P & H Ranching Co. Ltd. of Innisfail, Alta. It sold for $7,500 to Gordon and Neal Church of Balzac, Alta. The reserve sold for $2,500 to Olsen Farms of Sedalia, Alta., and was consigned by Charworth Charolais of Balzac. The high seller was from Darcy and Michelle Welsh of Strathmore, Alta., who have been marketing bulls at Calgary for 13 years. Their two-year-old bull sold to Gordon Church for $7,800.
The grand champion Hereford was entered by Norm and Michael Parrent of Clyde, Alta., who own JoNomn Hereford Ranch. It sold for $40,000 to Doenz Ranches of Warner, Alta., and Floyd Anderson of Cardston, Alta. The reserve came from Murray Stauffer at Eckville, Alta., and sold for $16,500 to Gordon Church.
