Ritchie Bros

[crusher]

Is it just me or is the spring catalog half the size of the last couple of years? Nobody want to get out now? Has the major consolidation happened already?

[makar]

I was thinking the same thing.

[SASKFARMER3]

Yes I believe so, First winter in our area that we were the only ones who rented any extra land. Otherwise all is going to be farmed the same in 2010 as 2009. Hm

[bucket]

Alot of equipment still being sold privately.

The age of farmers and the number of sales still doesn't add up.

Also start watching the number of auctions that are done at/for dealerships.

The consolidation is still coming. And it will hit like a train. This year will be the turning point. Low crop prices make more people think about getting out. Most are still riding the high from a couple years ago.

[furrowtickler]

Also with a major drought still looming in central Alberta - Western Sask and farmers realy sticking their necks out paying $60/ac rent and $1000/ac purchase, consolidation is far from over in this part of the world unless grain/oilseed markets rise significantly(very doubtfull) and drought conditions ease.
Majoriy of the auctions have been in eastern/southeastern Sask over the past few years, consolidation has stabilized there I agree. Look for a shift to Western Sask and Eastern Alberta within a year. More specificaly North West Sask and North East Alberta. Without an adove average crop there will be blood followed by 2011 and 2012 auctions all over this area. JMO
Also this area is about 1/2 a generation behind the Eastern side of the praries - Within the next five to ten years alot of farmers will be retireing with no family transition.

[boarderbloke]

perhaps other cataloges are thicker this year, making up the differance. Ritchie Bros. are a premium auction house, and from what I know, they charge for it! It might really pay to go with them, but one never really knows till that day.

[wd9]

It seems farmers would rather lose money or die rather then paying taxes. Strange phenomena. Like the guy who buys cattle to lower his income to not pay taxes but loses money on the cattle. Result, no taxes paid but less money in the end.

[TOM4CWB]

wd9,

But think of all the 'fun' they had... cheap too... didn't even have to go to a Casino or go to Vegas!

[neveragain]

We at FarmAuctionGuide.com haven't seen much of a decline in auction sales across Western Canada.

While I can't speak for Richie Bros, most that I speak with regularly have a great spring catalog ahead.

To view over 400 upcoming auctions on the prairies, goto <a href="http://www.farmauctionguide.com" target="_blank">Farm Auction Guide</a>