An Innisfail bull was the toast of the ring last week at the 2012 Calgary Bull Sale.
The Angus, consigned by Belvin Angus Farms, was named the grand champion Angus and drew a bid of $26,000 — tops at the sale.
The reserve champion Angus was also from Central Alberta. It came from Lorenz Angus Farms of Markerville and sold for $7,500.
At 112 years, the Calgary Bull Sale is the oldest continuous consignment bull sale in the world. Held at Calgary Stampede Park, it this year produced sales of $1,380,675 — more than half a million dollars higher than the 2011 edition.
The average price of the 205 bulls sold was $5,725.
“It was just a different feel than we’ve experienced in quite a while” said Mabel Hamilton, president of the Alberta Cattle Breeders Association.
“This tells me that the industry maybe has turned a corner.
The 2012 Calgary Bull Sale included 15 ranch horses and the first-ever Commercial Replacement Heifer Pen Show and Sale.
Meanwhile, it was standing room only at the Cutting Edge Bull Sale at Rimbey Auction Mart on Saturday. Attendance there was estimated at more than 400, with 65 red Angus, black Angus and Simmental bulls up for sale.