Drought, expensive feed and closed borders took their toll on the Boer goat sale at Canadian Western Agribition last week.
Nineteen lots sold for a total of $6,435, although about half of the highest bids initially didn’t meet the reserve price.
The high seller was Halamo Mac N128, the reserve grand champion purebred buck, consigned by Stuart and Sandy Hallam of Russell, Man. It sold for $745 to Bryan Forsberg of Kronau, Sask.
“The sale reflects the year,” said Sandy Hallam. “The animals are worth more than that.”
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Forsberg, who was named the premier breeder of the Boer Goat Classic, said producers shouldn’t have to give their animals away during these tough times.
“A great buck is worth more than that,” he said of the price he paid. “And I want a great one.”
Goat breeders have also been shut out of export markets since a single case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy was found in an Alberta cow in May. They are also struggling with high feed costs after several drought years.
But both breeders said the entries in the show were strong.
“We still have confidence in our industry,” said Hallam. “We know the demand is there.”
Karen Kolkman, who operates Kolkman Goats at Vanscoy, Sask., entered goats in the Agribition sale for the first time this year. She sold three while another three didn’t meet the reserve. She didn’t believe the reserve prices were too high.
“These are show animals, premier breeding stock,” she said. “They should be worth $150 and up.”
But she said a lot of people are concerned about the closed American border and don’t want to spend money right now.
Kolkman’s Nor-D Flower 91L was the top selling purebred doe. It sold for $675 to Twelve Acre Ranch at Regina.
“You bring your best to Agribition,” Kolkman said.
Some breeders said the Agribition goat sale was hurt by a sale in Moose Jaw in September. That sale drew about 600 entries.
