Close to 2,200 bidders from 26 countries participated in our Bonanza, AB auction

Every spring we conduct dozens of on-the-farm auctions across Western Canada selling thousands of farm equipment items, farmland and real estate, and more.

This year we have more than 60 farm auctions scheduled for our agriculture team's "spring ag run". The team takes the auction show out on the road, travelling from farm-to-farm to conduct retirement sales and equipment dispersals for farmers.

Last week, the small convoy of Ritchie Bros. vehicles rolled into Bonanza, AB to sell 7,400+ acres of real estate—including two home quarters—as well as 800+ equipment items for two families: the Nobbs and the Marshalls.

Buyers turn out in droves on site and online

The spring air was chilly and the ground was muddy in Bonanza on the morning of March 30, 2016 but the sun came out – and so did almost 2,200 bidders from 26 countries, including 1,350+ online bidders.

We usually conduct our on-the-farm auctions outside with the auctioneer selling items from a mobile sound truck. But with the muddy, wheel-spinning conditions, we moved the bidding inside where it was more comfortable and convenient for everyone, and items were sold via photographs on large screens.

By the time the last lot had sold just nine hours later, more than CA$24 million (US$19+ million) of farmland and farm equipment had been sold, making it our largest on-the-farm auction ever. Every item was sold without minimum bids or reserve prices.

As Tyler Ruttan, our Regional Sales Manager said, "The strength of the Western Canadian farming industry was on full display in Bonanza this week. We saw huge attendance onsite and online, resulting in very strong pricing on the farmland, with more than 50 parcels of real estate selling for just over CA$13 million in total. We also saw great results for the large selection of equipment and trucks in the auction."

Some farm equipment selling highlights included:

• Five 2015 Case IH 580 quadtrac tractors sold for a combined CA$2+ million
• Four 2014 Claas Lexion 780 4x4 combines sold for a combined CA$1.6 million
• Four 2014 Claas Lexion 670 track 4x4 combines sold for a combined CA$1.4+ million
• A 2014 Case IH 620 quadtrac tractor sold for CA$480,000
• A 2015 Case IH 4440 120-ft 4x4 high clearance sprayer sold for CA$380,000
• Three Elmers Haulmaster 2000 grain carts sold for a combined CA$350,000

But at the end of the day, the success of the auction really belonged to the sellers.

"It was an emotional day, especially selling the land that was homesteaded by my father and grandfather," said Danny Nobbs. "We are happy with the results—land sold for almost double of what it's sold for historically in the area. Our new iron also sold very well. We are very happy we teamed up with Ritchie Bros."

Check farmland and equipment selling prices from every auction

You can find selling prices for every item sold at Ritchie Bros. auctions on our website. Just create a free account and check two years of auction results—more than 750,000 items currently listed!

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Related articles:
Results, photos and video from 4 equipment auctions in March
Spring auction season starts next week: 60+ farm auctions in Canada
The current used farm equipment market: 5 big ticket items Dec 2015

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