Is this true?

[cowman]

Yesterday a guy told me that Vold, Jones, Vold auction mart in Ponoka had put up the sales commission on cattle. Is this true? I find it hard to believe they would be so stupid.

[Muttley]

I have heard this same story out here in Sk. concerning Heartland Livestock. They say that much of the increase is because of the high cost of feed. I'm not sure if this is all true but that's what I hear.

[cowman]

I never thought of that. My closest mart is owned by Neilson Bros.(they own Heartland livestock) and I don't think they put up the sales commission. They always charged you if you wanted a fed pen and it varied with the price of feed. The thing I like about this mart is they have a very good manager who won't let the buyers play their little crooked games. When they try to conspire to steal them he steps in and starts buying. It pisses them off but he sure is popular with the farmers!
Since he came this mart has improved about 100%. He got rid of the contract crew working in the back and hired his own people(you would not believe the winners this contractor hired...hair down to their ass, ear rings, nose rings , drunk half the time, had no clue about cattle, very rough etc.!!) The former manager for Heartland, when it was owned by Sask. pool, really let it go to pieces. He just didn't seem to care. When he owned it he did a very good job, but when he sold to Sask. pool and became an employee he just sort of lost interest. Just collecting a pay check!