STRATHMORE, Alta. – When Pat Fisher was asked five years ago to put on a bull sale at the Cattleland Feedyards, he balked.
As people continued to tell him he should have a sale for the performance-tested yearlings that board there each year, the idea took form and grew into a three-day extravaganza where more than 740 bulls were offered for sale.
“We’re launching a new idea and a new approach,” he said. Fisher is vice-president and manager of Cattleland. Ben Thorlakson, who operates a feedlot at Airdrie, Alta., is president.
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This year’s sale, which included a dozen breeds, offered something new to commercial and seedstock producers who want guaranteed sound breeding bulls.
Annually, more than 2,500 bulls go on the nationally accredited test at Cattleland, located north of Strathmore.
Bulls were selected on the basis of structural soundness, proper conformation and fertility. Each had to gain at least 2.75 lbs. a day to qualify.
The result was the largest offering of performance tested yearling bulls in Canada selling non-stop from March 23-25.
To accommodate the more than 300 people who showed up each day for the fast-paced sale, a new sales barn was erected. A trade fair was set up beside the bullpens where potential buyers could size up the animals on offer.
“We wanted to create an atmosphere that is different from your average bull sale,” Fisher said.
Angus, Salers and Charolais dominated the sale in numbers.
High seller of the sale came on the first day when a Red Angus sold for $32,800. Consigned by Geis Angus Farms of Barrhead, he sold to Get-Along Angus Farms and Brox Stock Farms, both of Wetaskiwin and Champlain Angus from Ontario.
For all breeds, averages ranged from $1,600 to $2,969.
On offer were Red Polls, Blond d’Aquitaine, Limousin, Simmental, Red and Black Angus, Maine-Anjou, Salers, polled and horned Hereford, Charolais and a hybrid breed, Designer Genes.
