At about the time the United States was pulling itself out of the dark early months of World War II, a young Montana beet farmer and cattle feeder recently over from Denmark teamed up with a packer-stockman – also a Danish transplant – and started a livestock market. Chris Hansen and Ingvard Svarre, were simply bringing to the area what was needed for the livestock industry to flourish, this great addition to Sidney happened in 1943 and at that time being called, Yellowstone Livestock Co. Hansen and Svaare continued to operate the yards, and in 1960 Dan Price joined their team.

    In 1966 the current facility was built, at the time being one of the nation’s most modern livestock sales yards. Shares were sold to local residents to help pay for the building of the new facility. Hansen and Svaare continually updated equipment and worked to keep the office abreast of the ever changing business procedures. Svarre himself, through his active participation in industry affairs was instrumental in the development of the industry service know as the Livestock Board of Trade, which today is a huge benefit to both the sellers and the buyers.

    In 1969 Loran and Dennis Casey of Wolf Point and Dan Price of Sidney purchased the business end of Yellowstone Livestock from Hansen, Svaare and Price, renaming it Sidney Livestock Market. The Share Holders continued to own the land and buildings. Loran’s son joined the business in 1978 and son-in-law in 1983.

    Loran Casey and his family continued to run the facility until 2008 when the stockholders decided to buy out the Casey family and bring back the original name of Yellowstone Livestock Company. Yellowstone Livestock Company is made up of 40 stockholders, with Joe Steinbeisser being the President, Jim Thiessen, Vice President and Kathy Johnson, Sec/Treasurer.

    In August 2008, Ryan Obergfell was hired as manager, he stayed until April 2010, then in May of 2010, Adam Kathrein was hired as the new manager. Adam grew up on a Minnesota dairy farm and has worked on many ranches throughout the western United States. With Adam growing up around livestock, it has helped to develop his passion for livestock and the producers , which make up this incredible industry. Adam is joined by Roger Nygaard as a fieldman in Wolf Point and Christy Albin as office manager in Sidney.

    Yellowstone Livestock has a capacity of 3500 animals. We have cattle, horse and sheep sales, with the cattle sales being every Wednesday. Sheep sales are every 3rd Wednesday of August and September, and the 3rd Saturday in October. Horse sales are held in the Spring and Fall.

    Since Kathrein took over, many new upgrades have been made. Fresh paint and new signage, new unloading facility for pickups and trailers , new computer system, upgraded furnaces, and updating feeding, watering, and cattle holding areas. Also new to Yellowstone Livestock is internet selling. All of our sales will be filmed and on the web live, giving your cattle much more exposure to buyers all over the United States. We are especially excited about this upgrade, because it shows our continued effort to do everything possible for you, our producers!

    Sadies is a huge benefit, having a full service restaurant housed in the same building as the sales facility has created a meeting point for many area farmers, ranchers, business people, and residents of Sidney. Being open Monday through Friday, Sadies serves that great home cooked food.

    For over 65 years Yellowstone Livestock has been a great asset to the Sidney area, serving ranchers from all over Eastern Montana and Western North Dakota. We appreciate your business and want to do everything we can to accommodate your Livestock needs. From a full service livestock facility, internet sales representatives, to video auction representatives, we are here to take care of you. .