Live auction format returns to NE Saskatchewan

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Bluesky
• Share on X
• Copy Link

“What I miss most about the live auctions is the friends, the people that I got to know over 36 years in the business,” Schapansky said. “Just being there and it was a community event for everybody. The whole community came out by the thousands just to bid and buy something, have coffee, visit, and see what’s going on with the neighbors. It was always a big community event.” 

Position available

Farming roots guide New Era Ag's approach in Melfort

Oct 21, 2026

Surveys

Public consultations open on Farm Security Act

Oct 13, 2026

New AI projects

Made in Canada artificial intelligence tools for farmers

Sep 25, 2026

Schapansky said he doesn’t expect to see a mass return to live sales, but he thinks it could come back to a certain extent.  

“Whether it ever comes back full, I don’t think it will, but I think it’ll still draw large crowds and people will start coming back,” he said. 

Steffes Group is based in North Dakota. Schapansky said there are a lot more live auctions in the U.S.  

“I don’t know if COVID affected them as much. I don’t know that answer, but I do see live auctions more so in the US than there is in Canada.” 

Schapansky said the technology has changed so much that the online format is widely accepted, especially by younger producers. 

–

alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com