Photo by Curtis Galbraith.

By Curtis Galbraith

Agriculture

Good times for beef business as Northern Classic Bull Sale on Friday at Peace Country Classic Agri-Show

Mar 7, 2025 | 6:00 AM

One of the producers selling livestock at the Northern Classic Bull sale Friday at the Peace Country Classic Agri-Show says things are good in the cattle business right now.

Jason McQuaig says it is “high time” ranchers started getting some good prices for their cattle.

“I think it’s an overall shortage in North America for the number of head that (are) available.”

“Alberta Beef, we grow some of the best beef right here in Alberta, so it’s a good business to be (in).”

McQuaig says he and others in the business are seeing beef demand going up while cattle numbers continue to decrease.

“Canadians and Albertans in particular really support (ranchers). They like Alberta beef.”

As for the ongoing possibility of tariffs, McQuaig says the U.S. still needs Canadian beef.

“Hopefully, we can pull through it and it’ll all work out in the end, but, far as I know, the numbers are down and (the) cattle herd is shrinking.”

“I think the outlook for the cattle producers in Canada is really good.”

McQuaig says he does not know what percentage of beef consumed in the U.S. comes from Canada.

“I know there, with the droughts and stuff they’ve had down there, the cow herd has shrunk quite a bit too.”

“I think the retention, even here in Canada, as far as heifers, is probably lower that it’s been. Producers, a lot of them are at that age where a lot of them are retiring, so they’re not keeping their heifers.”

McQuaig also says feed shortages and good calf prices also mean ranchers are keeping back fewer heifers.

He adds the sale has developed “a really, really good following.”

“We’ve been doing this down here for 22 years, same place, same location. We still offer our payment plans, half on sale day and half on November 1. That’s worked really well for us.”

McQuaig says anyone who buys three bulls or more from one farm gets a five per cent discount, plus there is free delivery within the Peace Country.

McQuaig’s Jay Dawn Farms of Sexsmith and Willow Creek Simmentals of Crooked Creek have been the sale consigners for all 22 of those years.

Friday is Day 2 of the 39th Peace Country Classic Agri-Show. It will be open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. out at Evergreen Park.

The bull sale will start at 1 p.m. in the Drysdale Arena.