Average prices were down at this year’s Calgary Bull Sale, but quality of the 458 cattle for sale was considered high by buyers.
This year’s total on 491 head was $1,681,700 to average $3,425. Last year’s average was $3,706 on 458 head.
Four breeds were represented this year and a record price was established for an Angus bull. The Angus producers offered 147 red and black bulls for a total of $498,050 that averaged $3,381.
The high seller was the reserve grand champion consigned by Ron and Wayne Hanson of Airdrie, Alta. This red yearling bull sold for $20,250 to Grassy Butte Angus of Pincher Creek, Alta.
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The second highest seller came from Gavin and Mabel Hamilton of Innisfail, Alta., who sold their consignment for $8,750 to Barrhead Ranch of Ghost Pine, Alta.
The grand champion Angus was consigned by Darryl Leyen of Blackfalds, Alta., and sold for $5,900 to Valleymere HPS Angus of Alliance, Alta.
Herefords dominated the sale again this year with 244 head. They sold for a total $879,350 and averaged $3,603.
The top seller of the sale overall was the grand champion won by Bar Pipe Farms of Okotoks, Alta. This two-year-old sold for $42,000 to Bill Bennett of Connell, Washington. This year’s sale was a good deal for American buyers because the exchange rate is in their favor. For every $1,000 Canadian, they paid $709.88 U.S.
Matejka Farms, of Ponoka, Alta., had the next highest seller. Their bull won a bid of $18,300 from Guenthner Bros. of Eastend, Sask.
Reserve grand champion went to Poplar Dell Herefords of Edam, Sask., for $9,500 and was from the Brad Dallas herd at Bowden, Alta.
The Charolais sale totaled $109,550 and averaged $3,043 on 36 head. The high seller was from P & H Ranching of Innisfail, Alta., and sold to Bill Bateman of Calgary for $7,300.
The grand champion from Stauffer Farms at Eckville, Alta., sold for $6,500 to Bar 19 Charolais of Swalwell, Alta.
The reserve grand champion came from Bar 19 Charolais and sold for $2,800 to Rick Wathen of Strathmore, Alta.
The Simmental breed had 64 head on offer. The total was $194,750 and averaged $3,042. The high seller was from Deeg Bros. at Lyalta, Alta., and sold for $8,500 to Tessier Simmentals of Gladmar, Sask.
The grand champion sold for $3,000 to White Lake Colony at Barons, Alta., and was consigned by Norton Simmentals of Drayton Valley, Alta.
The reserve champion Simmental was the entry of New Trend Cattle Co. of Acme, Alta., and sold for $7,000 to the Gadsby Colony and Kevin and Dianne Baird of Stettler, Alta.