Can't keep the grass for the trees

When I first received a news release this morning, announcing that Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers is preparing for the complete dispersal of Northern Black Angus ranch at Kamloops, I thought, ‘oh, oh, here’s another ranching operation fed up with the economics of the beef industry and getting out.’

But I was wrong. Trevor White is closing down Northern Black Angus, a purebred Angus operation which he has owned for the past 13 years, but he sees it is only a temporary exit from the beef business.

Fact is Trevor, who has been in the logging and road building business for many years, has a great logging business opportunity on Vancouver Island he wants to pursue for the next five years and he says he can’t do it all.

“It is a great opportunity on Vancouver Island, I don’t want to pass up, but I can’t run the ranch at the same time,” he says. “We have really enjoyed the beef industry – my wife, sons and daughter have all enjoyed it as well – but we decided we’d have to leave ranching for now.” The family has all been involved with the B.C. Angus Association, with Trevor currently serving on the executive. 

The Whites still own a 1,000 acre farm at Smithers, which they will keep, but the ranch at Kamloops, lock, stock and barrel, is all on the auction bloc October 15, at 10 a.m.

The other thing that caught my attention is that Ritchie Bros. is handling the sale. I always think of them as auctioneers of heavy machinery and industrial equipment, but fact is they do handle farm and ranch sales, as well.

All details on the sale can be found at: http://www.rbauction.com/property/2009547_kamloops_bc/index.jsp , but in brief Northern Black Angus consists of 375 acres of land, some irrigated, just north of Kamloops. It is in two parcels. They are also selling 114 head of registered Black Angus cows, calves, yearlings and herd bulls, along with some beef genetics. And a full line of machinery is being sold too.  If you are looking for a turnkey ranching operation, just bring your cheque book.

Every item will be sold to the highest bidder, with no minimums or reserve prices.

Trevor says once this project on Vancouver Island is complete, he hopes to get back into the beef business.

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