Prime farmland and equipment auction brings big results for Blair family

Merle and Connie Blair’s Plover Lake Ranch presented a rare opportunity for buyers. The longtime family-owned farm in Youngstown, Alberta, was in operation since 1944 and came with both pasture and cultivation leases. It featured over 17,700 acres of versatile agricultural land and a complete lineup of equipment.

The Blairs had a big decision as who would help them sell such prime assets and get them the best returns.

“We were looking for somebody as a selling partner who had integrity and is fun to work with,” said Merle Blair. “We found all those things in the Ritchie Bros. team.”

Merle and Connie trusted Ritchie Bros. to sell their farmland and equipment in a big, two-day auction March 13-14, 2024. Over 2,400 registered bidders from across the globe participated in the successful auction that earned over $18.7 million.

Watch the video to see the Blair family talk about their selling experience and how Ritchie Bros. helped them navigate this momentous event in their life.

The farm featured an annual SLR (Surface Lease Revenue) of ±$127,390 along with an array of John Deer equipment, including tractors and combines. There were structures and equipment in place to handle a head of over 500 cattle, along with water wells, grain and fertilizer storage, and a machine shop with storage. The land was also subdivided and could support multiple families.

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Ritchie Bros.’ powerful global marketing and buyer demand generation meant Merle was getting exposure for those assets in different markets across Canada and the United States.

“I got calls from everywhere, including Washington State,” said Merle. “It was very far-reaching advertising and interest in the sale. There were days when I couldn’t keep up with the calls.”

The auction featured 73 Parcels of real estate including one home quarter, 2 acreages and 70 parcels of farmland. Here’s an overview of what sold:

• 17752.48± acres
• $127,390.99± Surface Lease Revenue
• Subdivided, Multifamily Properties
• Fenced and Cross-Fenced
• Grazing & Cultivation Leases
• Machine Shop & Storage
• Multiple Water Wells
• John Deere Equipment Set
• Grain & Fertilizer Storage

‘It’s all about the customer’

Whether you’re an individual seller or a business, Ritchie Bros. is ready to help sell any size and any type of property. Your success is our goal, and our team has the expertise, decades of experience, and unparalleled ability to reach buyers across the country and around the world, and exceed your expectations.

“At the end of the day, it’s all about the customer,” said Luke Fritshaw, Director, Sales, Ritchie Bros. “And getting the opportunity to work with Merle and Connie and family though this whole process, it’s a huge thank you for trusting us in such a huge project and such a huge life event for them. Being part of that event with them is one of the most rewarding parts of this job.”

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If you’re considering selling real estate, contact one of Ritchie Bros.’ Real Estate representatives today: Email: realestate@ritchiebros.com | Phone: +1-866-490-3081

See also

Malcolm Excavating retirement sale reaches buyers beyond Ontario