The highlight of the Canadian Western Agribition goat sale was likely more the appearance of a TV celebrity than the prices, although the prices were pretty good.
Rick Mercer, host of CBC’s Rick Mercer Report, spent time at Agribition last week for an upcoming episode of his show.
He spent time in the wash stalls and at the milking demonstration, among other stops.
He led the first goat into the sale ring during the Nov. 22 sale and promptly sent bid hands into the air.
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The reserve grand champion, a purebred Boer buck from Wacey Townsend at Sylvan Lake, Alta., sold for $2,100 to Corbin St. John. That was more than two times what Townsend expected for Xplosion Amigo.
The grand champion, ACR Antelope Creek Texas USA, exhibited by Venture 2 Boer Goats of Steelman, Sask., wasn’t for sale.
Mercer also tried his hand at replacing auctioneer Brennin Jack, with limited success.
“Lot 5 is a goat,” he said to audience laughter. “It has four legs.”
The goat was another Townsend entry. It sold for $950 despite the lack of typical auctioneer rhythm.
The sale was stronger than last year when only six lots sold and averaged $465. This year, 21 lots sold for a total $15,362 and an average $731.55.
In the doe show classes, Venture 2 also showed the purebred grand champion, DU Sillon Amour, and the reserve, DU Sillon Frivole.
The grand champion percentage doe was Calico Creek Splash, exhibited by Mosaic Boers of Yorkton, Sask. The reserve was Saw- Whet 9Y Yen from Saw-Whet Acres at Edenwold, Sask.
R-Country Goats from Moose Jaw, Sask., swept the commercial classes, winning grand and reserve champion does with R-Country Goats 13T and R-Country Goats 1S, respectively.
The market kid champion was R-Country Goats 18Y. Saw-Whet 20Y was the reserve market kid.
