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Charity steer raises over $11K for STARS

Jun 17, 2020 | 3:00 PM

A big change made to this year’s charity steer auction did not affect the end result.

Over $11,000 was raised by the Prince Albert Show and Sale committee for STARS Air Ambulance.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers held an online event this year. The first auction ended Monday and a group of businesses bought the steer for $8,500.

The businesses involved in the sale were Gateway Veterinary Clinic, Steen Agencies, Cay Seeds, Farm World, Ag World, TopKrop Fertilizers Inc, Elsaesser Farms, Market Tire Prince Albert, M and K Trucking, Body Mechanics Salon and Spa, 2M Consulting LTD, Las Tres Chicas Holdings, Paragon Ag, Northern Livestock Sales Prince Albert, AGCO, Wayne and Nadine Steen, and Ag Authority.

In a generous move, the group then donated the steer back to the sale committee and a second auction was held. Tuesday’s final bid was $2,700, sold to Carter’s Custom Ag and Twin Groves Farms.

Christine McGillivray, a committee member, expressed to paNOW her gratitude over how well the sale went, given the uncertain times we are all in.

“We knew that we wouldn’t achieve the same amounts as previous years have, with the Dutch Auction format, but we are grateful to all of the businesses and individuals that participated. We have amazing local businesses that really care about the kids and the 4-H program,” she said. “They were as concerned as we were about making sure we could maximize the profit and came through big time.”

The Weldon 4-H club with “Buddy”. (Submitted photo/ Christine McGillivray)

The charity steer typically takes place in June each year on the Prince Albert exhibition grounds. Five local 4-H clubs attend the regional show and care of the charity steer is rotated around from club to club.

This year was the Weldon club’s turn and the Manson family has been caring for “Buddy” since last June. The Simmental steer weighed approximately 1,350 lbs at the time of the initial auction last week.

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell