Five Valley Livestock Auction Services, located west of Missoula in the intersection area of Interstate 90 and Route 93, isn't closing, but the way it trades with livestock will change dramatically.
Over the years, the service has changed names and locations, but it has often been a savior for ranchers and a place where 4-H youth cut their teeth. Cattle sales have been held on Thursdays, and horse and harness sales have been held on the second Saturday of each month from his March through around Thanksgiving. Sheep, goat and pig auctions were held at different times of the year.
Now, those who want to sell their creatures can bring their animals on certain days and transport them to Ramsey, where they will be auctioned. While this is strictly a business move, it will affect all ranches and farms that could afford to leave their critters there and wait for their check when they get home.
The property has been on the market for several years and could be snatched up and developed into homes or condominiums.
Josh Smith, owner of MCK (Montana Knife Company) in Frenchtown, is expanding his business by building a 42,000 square foot manufacturing facility where he will continue to employ 56 people. We are building one of the fastest growing companies in outdoor recreation at FVLA. Ground.
“It was important to me to help Five Valleys Livestock transition to a new plan that will continue to help ranchers market their livestock. It will be built on the northwest end of the site,” Smith said.
Therefore, existing structures will not be demolished, and new configurations of livestock loading and unloading will be developed.
“My understanding is that the cows are offloaded in the morning and sent to Ramsey where they are auctioned the same day, so no overnight care is required,” Mr Smith said.
Denry Rosi, a St. Regis rancher, has been using the service for years, as has his father.
“The problem with trucking cattle is that shrinkage occurs. No matter how close you get to Ramsey, the animal will experience it and your net sales will decrease. ”
Shrinkage is the loss of weight of a liquid due to stress during transportation. Then, the transportation period is longer, the stress during unloading and loading increases, and extra time is required. Calves are more stressed than cows, so they lose more weight.
“But we're now like transporting wood to Thompson Falls or Deerlodge. Local industries are doing what they can to survive, and with the changes, fuel costs and trucking costs are increasing. There are also other costs such as.
There is also the convenience of being close to an auction venue for cattle culled by ranchers.
“Here's an example,” Loge explains. “Let's say you have a cow that has lost a calf. One of your options is, if it's a 6 or 7 year old cow, you don't keep it after you lose it. You can load her up and take her to the auction house at any time.'' The other thing is that sometimes we get a few calves that are in the 500-600 pound range that don't match up with the rest of the calves we sell. You might want to take it to town and sell it. It's gone.”
It all comes down to ease of use, and Loge admits that FVLA was very easy to implement.
East of Missoula, Wally Condon raises Scottish Highlanders, but the additional fuel costs are making it difficult to operate in Mineral and Saunders counties, as well as lakes and other areas that rely on cattle services. I feel uneasy about raising cows. But in his case, he quickly runs out of money.
“Say you have a few animals that have been crippled by predators or fallen off a mountain, but they're fine and moving around. They'll make great burgers, and I'd call it 'Y ” (Five Valley Livestock Auction) and was able to get cash the same day. It's “summer money” that you can use instead of dipping into your savings. ”
Cattle auctions are no longer being held and the last horse and harness auction will be on Saturday 11th May.
