David Carson keeps beef auctions thriving at Milverton sales barn

Beef cows and calves sold at Park’s Livestock Sales Barn in late December, drawing a capacity crowd of local farmers. Many longtime customers of Carson’s Auctions were pleased to have his help selling their herds or surplus cattle through the Milverton facility. Gary West photo

By Gary West

The name David Carson has been familiar to livestock farmers across Perth County and beyond for decades. Whether it involved cattle, horses, farm machinery or charity events, if an auctioneer was needed, Carson was the one people called.

Though he never finished high school, those who know him say his business sense was sharp from the start. His father, Albert, was a successful businessman, and a young Carson quickly learned how to buy and sell anything that might earn a small profit. Farmers often remark on his quick mental math and uncanny memory, qualities that helped define his long career.

Carson purchased his first farm at age 19 for $25,000. His father held the mortgage until he turned 21 and could legally take ownership. After attending auctioneering school, he developed a style that set him apart – a fast-talking auctioneer with a knack for slipping in one-liners that kept crowds smiling. His humour, paired with a reputation for fairness, made him one of the region’s most trusted sellers.

After six decades in the auction and dairy business east of Listowel, Carson officially retired. But retirement hasn’t kept him out of the sale ring. Today, he continues to support beef farmers by helping manage beef auctions at the Milverton Community Sales Barn, now operated by Park’s Livestock.

Carson says he wants to remain committed to the farmers who supported his Listowel sales for so many years.

“I want to help my local beef-farmer friends continue selling their animals at auction,” he said. “At the same time, it helps promote Park’s Livestock Sales Barn as a great facility for bringing buyers and sellers together in Milverton.”

The Milverton barn has a long-standing place in the area’s agricultural community, including its weekly Monday calf sales, which have served local farmers for generations.