REGINA – Record prices were set at this year’s prospect steer and heifer sale at Canadian Western Agribition.
An Angus-Simmental cross heifer prospect topped the sale at $4,400 when it sold to Anchor C Cattle Co. of Olds, Alta. It was the entry of DJ Cattle Company of Brookdale, Man.
The high selling steer was a Shorthorn cross from Greg and Anna-Marie Freitag-Perrot of Alameda, Sask. It sold to Angela and Edwin Hookenson of Lampman, Sask., for $3,500.
These animals are destined for junior beef programs and 4-H shows, said auctioneer Mike Fleury.
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“There has been a lot of interest with the 4-H kids to come to select a 4-H steer every year,” he said.
“A lot of regional champions have come out of this show.”
These animals might fetch $1 per pound at auction, but young people who look for a show animal and are willing to do the work have an opportunity to earn hundreds of dollars.
The Freitag-Perrots said they were almost sorry to see their red roan steer go because of its gentle nature.
Born on Valentine’s Day, it is part of a program at their farm to raise show animals along with their purebred and commercial Angus cattle.
Docility is paramount because these animals are sold mostly to children.
“Quiet is important to us,” Anna-Marie said.
This year’s show prospect was so tame their three-year-old can handle it, they added.
At the show, the grand champion prospect steer was an Angus-Simmental cross entered by DJ Cattle Company. It sold for $2,300 to Alana Bryce of Arcola. Sask. DJ Cattle Company also showed the reserve champion prospect heifer.
The reserve steer prospect was the entry of Early Sunset Ranch of Edam, Sask.
The grand champion prospect heifer was exhibited by Derrick Kessell and Kessell Land and Cattle of McLean, Sask. It sold for $1,800 to Mark Pillar and Justamere Farm of Lloydminster.
Show statistics
- 19 lots were sold at the heifer sale for a total of $31,550 with an average price of $1,660
- 44 steers were offered. The sale total was $64,325 for an average price of $1,462
- The overall average on 63 lots was $1,522. Last year’s sale average on 74 lots was $1,171
