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.