Food grains auction successful in Picture Butte

Sunny South News Photo Submitted By Tony Kok

Submitted by Tony Kok

The Picture Butte and Area Food Grains Bank Auction was held at the Cattleman’s Chophouse in Picture Butte in conjunction with S.A.L.E (Southern Alberta Livestock Exchange) on May 10.

Barley and straw were sold for the upcoming harvest, expected in late August. It was an exceptional sale in 2024 with buyers bidding each other up for auction items.

Items up for auction were 10 lots of 40 tonne of barley and 15 lots of 20 bales of straw.

Barley was sold by the tonne and and straw sold by the bale, with an average $487 per tonne and straw bales sold for an average of $240 per bale.

The proceeds as always are matched 4:1 by the government to help with food security, famine, drought and displacement of peoples from war-torn areas.

One of the project’s greatest strengths is to teach farmers in Third World countries how to use best practices and learn new ideas to increase crop production so that families can be self-sufficient. Donations to cover local expenses such as rent and crop inputs are expected all year round. 

Donations can be made to Picture Butte and Area Growing Project through mail-in cheque to Box 725, Picture Butte, AB; or dropped off at 316 Jamieson Avenue or by e-transfer to

pbfoograins@gmail.com. The crop is being grown one mile east of Picture Butte on Highway 519 (watch for sign). 

“It’s a wonderful community effort that brings farmers and people together.”