Another suitor is vying for the assets of Big Sky Farms. As a result, an auction could be held in January to sell the Humboldt, Sask., pork producer. Kevin Brennan, senior vice-president of receiver Ernst and Young Inc., said at least one other party met the November deadline to extend the sale process. Olymel LP […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Rancher praised for leadership
Saskatchewan rancher Neil Jahnke is being remembered for decades of dedication to the beef industry, but mostly for piloting Canada through the BSE crisis. Jahnke, 70, died Nov. 26 on his Gouldtown ranch. The funeral was Dec. 3. Jahnke was president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association in 2003 when BSE was found in a Canadian […] Read more
Sales skyrocket at auction
Ranch horses | Sixteen horses sell for $134,400 for an average $8,400
Auctioneer Brad Stenberg left the sale block from which he had just conducted the popular ranch horse sale at Canadian Western Agribition and said, “wow.” That’s what a lot of people were saying after the strong sale of 16 entries in Canada’s Premier Select Ranch Horse sale, along with 10 prospect horses. The 16 grossed […] Read moreCollie top dog at show
In a room full of cowboys waiting for media interviews, a dog named Lexi stole the spotlight. The five-year-old Border Collie, who won the International Stock Dog Championship at Canadian Western Agribition Nov. 20 with handler Norm Sommer, drew smiles and pats on the head as she sniffed out the room. Sommer of Pleasantdale, Sask., […] Read more
Hay donations sought for East
The campaign to send hay to eastern Canadian farmers hit by drought and escalating feed prices continued last week at Canadian Western Agri-bition. Bert Bloemendal, the Ontario trucker who is co-ordinating logistics for HayEast 2012, attended the show, where volunteers sought donations of hay and cash. Bloemendal operates Bert’s Repair and Towing in Mount Brydges, […] Read more
Smooth patter wins the day
Frederick Bodnarus’s smooth patter won him a Canadian Western Agribition belt buckle and marble gavel last week. Five judges, including last year’s winner, deemed him the best of five contestants during the second Winners Circle auctioneer competition Nov. 20. Bodnarus operates his own business in Saskatoon and was thrilled to win. “Agribition is a very […] Read more
Producer improves herd genetics at Regina sale
$1,500 goat | ‘Good genetics don’t come cheap’
Todd Zeller paid $1,500 for a six-month-old purebred Boer doeling and thinks he got a great deal. The doeling, consigned by Venture 2 of Steelman, Sask., to the goat sale at Canadian Western Agribition Nov. 20, topped the small sale of 15 lots. “We needed to top up our herd,” said Zeller, who operates Beatles […] Read more
Bison sale number up; prices dip slightly
Two sales to American buyers topped the 20th annual Canadian national bison sale held during Canadian Western Agribition Nov. 20. The top seller was a two-year-old half-Wood bull consigned by Silver Creek Bison of Binscarth, Man., which went to DD Buffalo of Woodland, Utah, for $20,000. A yearling Wood cross bull from Irish Creek Bison […] Read more
Show deemed success despite storm
Strong sales | Purebred cattle sales were about $1.4 million, up by $250,000 in 2011
Organizers of Canadian Western Agribition say sales were up and attendance was strong at last week’s 42nd show in Regina. Chief executive officer Marty Seymour said purebred cattle sales neared $1.4 million, up $250,000 over last year. The highlight was a two-thirds interest in an Angus calf for $73,000. “The ranch horse sale rang the […] Read moreCattle leader’s funeral set for Monday
Funeral services for former Canadian Cattlemen’s Association president Neil Jahnke will be held Monday in Swift Current, Sask. Jahnke, 70, died suddenly Nov. 26 on his ranch near Gouldtown, Sask. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. at the Credit Union Iplex Auditorium. Donations in Jahnke’s memory may be made to Saskatchewan Stock Growers […] Read more
