The Foothills Livestock Auction, built in the mid-1960s has a new set of owners. Blair Vold with VJV Auction Co., and Canadian Satellite Livestock auction (CSLA) at Red Deer, partnered up with auctioneer Rob Bergevin on a 50:50 basis to buy the market at Stavely from former owner Frank McInenly who had operated the market since 1993. The facility is in great shape, and is offering the same services that are offered at VJV Ponoka, along with access to our financing program the Stavely market will be an agent under our satellite (CSLA) program. The market sits on 10 acres and has a capacity of 2,500 head. Market research indicated that Stavely, prior to BSE, was easily handling annual sales volumes tipping the 50,000-head mark and they'll be using that figure as their near-term goal. Bergevin, who began his auctioneering career back in 1988 and worked at the Calgary Stockyards before moving on to sell in other venues, says he and his wife Sharon, along with 2 yard staffers, will run the Foothills operation. They hold regular Friday 9 a.m. sales of feeder cattle, cows and bulls, horse auctions on a less regular basis. Plus purebred sales are held. When cattle arrive at VJV Foothills, they are greeted with feed, water and comfortable bedding. The extra care may cost more, but the philosophy at this auction yard is that it pays in the end with reduced stress and less weight loss. The operation handles small numbers from local farmers as well as larger loads from the big ranches in a trading area from High River to Fort Macleod in southern Alberta. They also accept cattle from across the prairies.more...See more text
