Big Horn Basin Livestock Auction starts new era in Worland
Worland – On Aug. 13, Danny Vigil and his wife Nicole officially took over the reins of Worland Livestock Auction, purchasing the operation from Stacy Newby and changing its name to Big Horn Basin Livestock Auction.
“Our first sale was Aug. 23,” Vigil comments. “There’s a lot that goes into taking over a livestock auction barn, but we’re really excited about it.”
Big Horn Basin natives
Vigil, who was born and raised near Worland, has been farming since he was 18.
“I have lived in this area my entire life and operated my own farm, ranch and feedlot operation, where I developed my passion for the livestock industry,” he comments. “I really enjoy this area and the livestock and people here, so we sold our farm and feedlot to my brother and nephew and invested into Worland Livestock Auction.”
Vigil believes the cattle in the Big Horn Basin are top quality, and he comments, “I look forward to the chance to work with producers and market their livestock – whether that is cattle, sheep, goats or horses.”
Sale barn
The first sale for Big Horn Basin Livestock Auction was held on Aug. 23, which was their regular sale.
With the auctioneer and yard crew staying on at the sale facility, Vigil’s sister Christy Rasmussen and niece Justine Paxton will join the crew in the office to help with sales.
“We have a lot of ideas and plans,” adds Vigil.
Big Horn Basin Livestock Auction will continue to hold weekly sales on Thursdays, with feeder and bred cow specials held throughout the fall season.
“In our first year, we’re planning to have six feeder specials,” Vigil explains. “We’re also adding a monthly horse sale to our sale schedule.”
Currently, horse sales are scheduled for Sept. 21, Oct. 26 and Nov. 23, and sheep and goat sales are scheduled to be held the third Thursday of every month.
Looking forward
As the Vigils continue to develop Big Horn Basin Livestock Auction, they are developing a website and Facebook page where producers will be able to readily access all information about the operation.
Additionally, Vigil says, while he is familiar with many producers in the area, he is looking forward to meeting and getting to know more producers across the region.
“We want to get to know everyone around here and increase the volume of livestock we put through the sale barn here in Worland,” Vigil says. “This is the only livestock auction left in the Big Horn Basin, and it’s important to the area because it saves ranchers from having to ship their cattle so far.”
He continues, “Worland and the Big Horn Basin have good grass, good country and good cattle. Plus, we have good, fertile farms, and this is a great place to feed and background cattle.”
The area is a great place to feed cattle, and Vigil looks forward to working with producers to market their product.
“I was born and raised here, and I’ve been to other places around the country,” Vigil comments, “but I’ve never seen any place better to live. I’m looking forward to meeting and working with livestock producers here.”
Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at saige@wylr.net.
