RRCA sales generate nearly $4 million this year

By Ken Johnston
Editor

The Rainy River Cattlemen’s Association closed out their annual sales season on Saturday, injecting nearly a million dollars into the district’s economy!
1,023 head were sold with the majority being feeder calves (spring calves). Kim Jo Bliss of RRCA said they also sold some yearlings, cull cows, bulls and about 50 bred animals. The majority of animals were purchased by western buyers this sale, but there were also local buyers.
Bliss also commented on prices fetched at the sale, “Prices were good. (The auctioneer said – steer prices were higher than the west but heifer were the same!”
The sales barn is located in Stratton, but the sale, thanks to the internet, has been open to the world since last year. And on Saturday RRCA saw some success with the net. An on-line bidder bid on lots of animals and at the end of the day had purchased $40,329.10 in cattle. Last year the online broadcast was a pilot project. RRCA decided to try it on their own this year and Bliss said this Monday, “We will be keeping it and are very happy with it. And now after this sale all our new internet equipment is paid for!”
Saturday marked the fourth and final sale of the 2013 season. Total dollars for it were $904,078.04! It was well attended and Bliss felt it was a successful season. Over all she noted, “We think we are providing a good, needed service and are happy to hear any compliments or complaints. We are always willing to try and make things better for our producers.” In total all four sales generated $3,855,211.47 this year.