New auction barn planned near Gregory

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GREGORY — Plans are moving forward for a new auction barn near Gregory.

Jay Sohler and Dave Taggart, of Stockmen’s Livestock in Yankton, are seeking a conditional use and variance request to build a new auction barn on the edge of town.

The new facility will be located just over a mile north of Gregory on Highway 47. Taggart said the building will be state-of-the-art and will have a capacity of about 5,000-head, with room to expand later if needed.

The Gregory County Planning Commission held a public hearing June 12 attended by nearby landowners. The Gregory Times-Advocate reported there was no objection to the proposal at the meeting and supporters noted the potential economic impact it could bring to Gregory.

“Gregory has always been a good community and it’s right in the heart of cattle country,” Taggart said. “People have been real supportive and it should provide a good boost to the area.”

The plan will go before the county commissioners Tuesday in Burke for and then in front of the South Dakota Animal Industry Board before construction.

The state approval rate for auction barns is high, according to Dr. Dustin Oedekoven, state veterinarian for the Animal Industry Board.

“Typically, it involves a review of the applicant’s bond to provide for the financial security of producers that will be selling their animals at the auction market, as well as the protection for the buyers of that livestock,” he said.

Oedekoven said the number of sale barns in the state has decreased from 40 about five or six years ago to 35 now.

“Overall, we’re seeing the number of barns go down although I think the livestock markets are healthy and we certainly have a strong business in South Dakota,” he said. “The price of livestock can’t hurt.”

Tags: our towns, sale barn, updates, agriculture, business, gregory, livestock, cattle