By Brittney Matejka

Southeastern Alberta ranchers are asking the Notley government to step up to the plate.

Nov 23, 2017 | 4:33 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB. – A special auction was held today at Medicine Hat Feeding Co. before their regular Bred Cow sale to raise money to help those hit hardest by the devastating wildfires in Southeastern Alberta last month.

A 5 year old Highland steer was donated by Mike Shapley to be auctioned off. Following being sold to the highest bidder, he was donated back and auctioned off again. This re-auctioning happened four times before a bidder decided to take him home. 4 bred heifers were also on the auction block with $17,000 being raised to support the Hilda Community Fire Relief fund and $70,000 being raised to benefit local volunteer fire fighter and rancher Syd McCurdy.

McCurdy was out helping fight the wildfires on October 17th when they travelled into his grazing land – 10 miles north of Empress, AB. killing 185 head of his cattle.

“You spend a life time building up a cow herd and to see it wiped out in 5 minutes is very heartbreaking,” he said.

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Lyle Taylor, General Manager of Medicine Hat Feeding Co. said they’re had amazing community support.

“I am blown away, we’ve had people phone from Lethbridge, Picture Butte and all over Southeastern Alberta,” he said.

However, Taylor explained his disappointment with the provincial government’s response to the devastating wildfires.

“We’re trying to encourage the Alberta government to not only give Syd some disaster relief, but all the people along the border from Hilda North,” he said.

McCurdy is thankful for the communities generosity but wants the government to also lend a hand.

“Sometimes rural Alberta feels left out by our government because there isn’t a lot of votes, but look at what these people have done for me, and what they have done for Hilda,” he said.

The Saskatchewan government has agree to match all private donations made in support of landowners who lost livestock, equipment and farm land in the same wildfire. The Notley government has not come forward with any commitment to offer any assistance.

Taylor explained agriculture is vital to Alberta’s economy, and it’s more than just a source of income, it’s a way of life for many in Southeastern Alberta.

“It’s a loss of your lively hood, these are the people who are farmers and ranchers, they produce food for you and me; Urban Alberta needs to step up to the plate and help these people under duress,” he said.

Drew Barnes, MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat was also on hand for the event.

“In this part of Alberta we’re strong and independent, we don’t ask for much but when it is needed and it is deserved it’s time that the government listen to us,” he said.