Some up-and-coming ranchers aren't going to let physical distancing and a pandemic stop them from helping the Foothills.
The Longview 4-H Beef Club will hold its annual steer auction on-line this year on Victoria Day -- Monday, May 18 -- from 2 to 6 p.m. with the sale of a steer going to help fight the pandemic that forced the sale to go digital.
“We made this decision because of COVID-19 so every family can stay home and we can stay safe while we try to sell our steers,” said Danielle Denning, who is also in charge of the club’s communications.
Normally the Longview club would gather at the High River rodeo grounds during the Little Britches Rodeo to conduct its show and sale, she said.
This year, the 26-member group has hired Direct Livestock Marketing Systems (dlms.com) to sell its calves.
Though bidding will be done online, the 4-H members will still have the chance to show their steers, she said.
“Every kid is going to upload a video of them handling their steers so you kind of get what the calf looks like as well,” said Denning.
An online catalogue will be available for interested buyers, she said. They will be distributed by 4-H families, and buyers can also contact Denning through the club’s 4-H page to get a copy.
Its sales includes the club’s annual donation steer – an animal raised by members with proceeds going toward a charity like the High River and District Health Care Foundation.
“Every year we raise a steer to give back to our community, because that’s a big part of the 4-H process,” said Denning. “This year it will help raise money for the COVID-19 community response.”
The Longview 4-H beef sale has raised approximately $200,000 for the foundation over the years.
The club received the High River District Health Care Foundation's Clifford and Louise Lougheed Award for Outstanding Philanthropy in 2017.
For more information about the auction on Victoria Day go to https://issuu.com/myofficeworker/docs/longview4h2020-final
Krista Conrad, OkotoksToday.ca
COVID-19 UPDATE: Follow our COVID-19 special section for the latest local and national news on the coronavirus pandemic, as well as resources, FAQs and more.
