Northwest fair livestock sale online bidding instructions detailed

This year’s Northwest Montana Fair Market Livestock Sale is going to be online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Buyers can bid from anywhere there is internet connectivity and a smartphone or ipad/computer, according to the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber’s Agribusiness Committee organizes the annual sale in conjunction with local 4-H clubs, FFA and the Northwest Montana Fair. This year the organizers of the sale are partnering with Gardner Auction Service to deliver the sale online.

Potential buyers will have the ability to see each of the students with their animal, know the animal’s weight, and hear from the auctioneer just as in prior years, in addition to still being able to indicate which processor they would like to use if they would like to donate the meat to a local nonprofit, resell the animal, and more.

Here are the simple steps for registering and bidding for this year’s sale:

• Before Saturday, you must register as a buyer.

Visit www.gardnerauction.hibid.com/catalog/226706/august-22--2020/ to register as a buyer. It only takes a minute. The auction will open for online pre-bidding on Friday, Aug. 21, and the auction will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday and will follow the sale book order.

• On Thursday, find the sale book online.

The sale book is the official order of the sale and can be found posted to the Kalispell Chamber’s website: www.kalispellchamber.com

• On Saturday at 8 a.m. be ready to bid online.

Go to the following link and select the orange button that says“Live Webcast Auction” www.gardnerauction.hibid.com/catalog/226706/august-22--2020/

• Call with any questions.

For help with how to register for the online sale, how to bid or fill out a buyer form, or anything else related to the sale please call (406) 758-2806 for assistance.

Students spend the winter, spring and summer months raising animals for the sale before over 100 businesses and individuals come together to purchase top-quality, locally raised lamb, beef, and pork all while recognizing the Flathead Valley’s agricultural roots and supporting area students.