Bison prices soar | Two-year-old bulls average $8,612 at Agribition sale
Bison sale averages soared at the Canadian National Show and Sale held during Canadian Western Agribition last week.
They reflected the good health of the industry and mood of producers.
Average prices were up over last year with two-year-old bulls averaging $8,612 compared to $2,913 last year. Yearling bulls averaged $5,787, up from $2,150, and bred two-year-old females averaged $5,200 compared to $4,086.
Yearling female average prices more than doubled over last year to $3,242 from $1,543.
Terry Kremeniuk, executive director of the Canadian Bison Association, said the prices reflect producers’ optimism.
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“We’ve had pretty stable prices over the last three and four years, and I think that bodes well for the industry in attracting new people and additional capital,” he said after the 32 lots sold Nov. 25 for a total of $154,200.
Finished bulls are selling for about $4.55 a pound hot hanging weight, with females back 10 or 20 cents from that.
Kremeniuk said long-term sustained profit will keep producers in the industry and attract new entrants.
Many of the participants in the annual Regina event are the same from year to year.
Organizers said a committee has been struck to try to attract more exhibitors and consignors next year.
Kremeniuk said that would facilitate price transparency in an industry that doesn’t have the millions of head that other livestock sectors enjoy.
“The more people you have in-volved in the business, the better market price discovery system you have,” he said. “We’re challenged by the small number of animals we have in the industry.”
For the second year in a row, the top selling bison was a bull consigned by Bison Spirit Ranch, which is operated by Trevor and Jodie Gompf of Oak Lake, Man.
The 1,644-pound two-year-old Wood cross went for $10,750 to Torch River Bison of Snowden, Sask.
Bison Spirit also consigned the high-selling female, the reserve champion female and the grand champion bred two-year-old, which sold for $8,000 to Big Country Bison of Pelly, Sask.
Silver Creek Bison of Binscarth, Man., showed the grand champion bull, while Bison Spirit had the reserve.
The event was a little smaller than last year after weather prevented some consignors from attending.
However, Kremeniuk said the prices indicate buyers were happy with what they saw.
