The Calgary Bull Sale, in its 97th year, is the pace setter for other western spring sales, where cattle producers gather to examine Alberta-grown Herefords, Charolais, Simmental and Angus cattle considered among the best beef breeding animals in the world.
Overall average prices overtook last year’s slower sale, up by almost $700.
The average on 463 head was $3,706 for a total of $1.6 million in sales.
As with previous years, Herefords dominated the sale in numbers and prices. The average was $4,173 on 251 head.
A first for this show and sale happened when the Cutler family of Lacombe won grand champion honors in two breed categories, winning the top spot in the Hereford and Simmental shows.
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Grand champion Hereford bull from Garth Cutler was a two-year-old herd bull that weighed 2,138 pounds with a scrotal circumference of 42 centimetres. It sold for $30,000 to Marvin Seddes of Manhattan, Mont.
The reserve champion and high seller was from JoNomn Hereford Ranch at Clyde. This bull went for $54,000 to Blume Ranches, Castor.
In the Hereford show, the Cutlers won the best group of three bulls while JoNomn, owned by Norm and Joanne Parrent, had the best pair of bulls.
On the Simmental side the high seller went for $9,500 to Steward Geekie, Crossfield. Entered by Goods Royal Simmentals of Crossfield, this bull was also junior champion. Cutler’s grand champion sold for $4,500 to Ray Rhodes of Claresholm.
The reserve champion Simmental from Roger and David Deeg of Lyalta sold for $6,300 to Pleasant Valley Colony, Clive. Overall, Deegs had an outstanding sale with 10 bulls selling for an average price of $4,340.
The average price for Simmentals was $3,189.
At the Angus sale Gavin and Mabel Hamilton received the most money for their bull calf champion. It sold to Stormway Angus of Calgary for $7,200. Hamiltons’ Belvin Angus also won best pair of bulls and best group of three.
The grand champion Angus was from Dyce Bolduc of Stavely. It sold to YT Bar Ranch, Consort for $5,500.
The reserve grand Angus was from White Lake Ranch at Cardston. It sold for $6,800 to Bud and Donna Carte, Keromeos, B.C.
The Angus sale average was $3,166.
The high selling Charolais and grand champion was entered by Snake Valley Charolais. Huckleberry Farms at Barnwell bought it for $7,500.
The reserve grand champion Charolais was from Kaiser Charolais Farms, Hussar. It sold for $3,100 to Paul Zacharko, Bruderheim.
Overall, Charolais averaged $2,981.
