South Peace Historical Society

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  • Table of Contents

    • Part 1: First Nations of the Peace River Region
    • Part 2: The Fur Trade Era
    • Part 3: Transportation and Communication
    • Part 4: Old Timers and the Price of Land
    • Part 5: Dawson Creek: The Story of the Community
    • Part 6: Mysteries, Adventures and Indian Legends
    • Part 7: Arts, Crafts and Recreation
    • Part 8: Agriculture
    • Part 9: Church Histories
    • Part 10: Schools
    • Part 11: Health Care
    • Part 12: Industries and Enterprises
    • Part 13: Policing the Peace
    • Part 14: Pouce Coupe, Rolla, and Other South Peace Communities
    • Part 15: Chetwynd and the Fort St. John Area
    • Part 16: The Alberta Peace
    • Part 17: Natural History of the Peace River Region
    • Part 18: Interviews with Old Timers
    • Part 19: Remembering Our Veterans

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BN08-73: Sheep Sale Better Than Expected

Recent History – 2003

September 18, 2003

By Gary Rusak, Daily News Staff

This year’s annual sheep sale at the Peace Country Livestock Auction was a rousing success according to Nancy Peterson, the chairperson of the Peace Country Sheep Sale.

“Our prices were better than expected,” she said. “It was a tough sale because of the weather, but we did sell close to 5,000 head of sheep.”

The sheep auction is the biggest in Western Canada and one of the biggest in the country. This year the sheep market has been greatly affected by the B.S.E. crisis. Foreign borders have been closed to Canadian sheep products as well as cattle. However, the ban did not stop a substantial purchase by Eldon Townsend of Oregon.

“He bought 640 head,” said Peterson. “He intends to put them out to pasture in Saskatchewan until the border reopens.”

Peterson went on to say that Townsend seemed impressed with the region and intended to do more business here in the future.

Roy Leitch of Brandon, Manitoba, made the largest purchase of the day. He bought over 900 head of sheep. Sunterra Meats also made a large purchase. Peterson said that the sale could not have been as successful without the help of over 75 volunteers and the local 4H club. The competition section of the auction also was a success. First place was awarded to Diane Gardner and T.J. Corr with second and third place ribbons awarded to Abe Dyck and his son David of Altona, B.C. for their pens of ewe lambs.

Peterson estimated that 40 buyers made purchases on Tuesday, but it wasn’t all hard work. “We always have a good time at the auction,” she laughed.

This article is taken from the Peace River Block Daily News, Dawson Creek, with the permission of the publisher. The Daily News retains all rights relating to this material. The information in this article is intended solely for research or general interest purposes.

« BN08-72: Harvest Nearly Complete

BN08-74: Local Cattle Prices on the Rise »

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