The annual Rimbey Interclub 4-H Steer Sale is going online for the first time.
The Interclub 4-H members from Rimbey, Winfield and Bluffton will be selling their beef projects online with the help of VJV Auction Rimbey Cattle Sales on May 11.
Cassidy Thebeau, leader with Rimbey 4-H Club and secretary for the Interclub, says usually the event is a two day event held at the show building, but the COVID-19 pandemic led to the change.
“We are going to have a live sale,” Thebeau explained, adding VJV Auction Co. Ltd. is helping the club get everything online.
“So what’s going to happen is buyers can log into the VJV site, there’s a link that says 4-H Clubs and our club will be under there,” said Thebeau, “then they can register to buy or they can watch the live sale and we will have footage of all the calves that will play back as the auction the calves off.”
The live and timed sale is set to take place at 2 p.m. on May 11.
“We’re not super concerned about it being online,” commented Thebeau, “we have a pretty great team that we work with at VJV and our Interclub.”
This year’s sale will feature 47 market steers all raised by the 4-H members since September.
All of the funds are designated directly to the kids and, Thebeau says, often they will be put towards college funds.
“The biggest thing that we always push is this is the kids’ project, this is their year end thing, and they’ve worked so hard,” Thebeau said. “Unfortunately, this is the yea that they won’t get to physically be there while their benefits are reaped.”
She added she is unsure if the switch to online or the current economic state will result in lost buyers.
Despite the lack of in-person showing the animals will still be judged for confirmation, and ribbons and prizes will most likely be mailed out.
Further questions or interest in steers can be directed to one of the Beef Leaders; Chris Simpson in Rimbey at 403-704-4165, Winfield’s Mark Schwengler at 403-318-9393 or Bluffton’s Dan Skeels at 403-783-1217.
Additional infortmation about the Rimbey Interclub 4-H Steer Sale can be found at vjvauction.com.