Livestock auction gets new owner

SMITHFIELD, Ohio – The Carrollton Livestock Auction is under new ownership and management.
Wayne Falb, an auctioneer and cattleman from Leetonia, Ohio, took over operations Aug. 22.
The auction had been owned by Barry and Rhonda Pidgeon of Salem since September 2003.
Given the chance. Falb, who said he’s farmed all his life and currently operates Oak Grove Beef Farm in Columbiana, started buying feeder cattle at the Carrollton auction about 10 years ago.
“I love the auction business, so this is something I’m looking forward to,” Falb said as he stood ringside at last weekend’s Jefferson County Fair livestock auction.
Falb, 26, and Tim Piergallini, who will help manage the facility, were on hand to buy livestock projects, something that’s become standard across all owners of the sale barn.
Decision. Pidgeon said he decided to sell the business so he could focus his time more on the Damascus Livestock Auction, which he also owns, and another business he operates.
“I think [Falb and Piergallini] will do a good job. They sure know the business,” Pidgeon said.
No changes. Falb said he bought the business for the long haul and plans to stick with it for several years.
“I’m here to work for the farmers, to bring buyers and sellers all to Carrollton,” he said.
Falb said no sale times or days will change; cattle will sell Mondays at 1 p.m., like always, and the hay and produce auctions will also continue as usual.
“I hope [customers] don’t see a change. We’re trying to make this as seamless as possible,” Falb said.
(Reporter Andrea Myers welcomes feedback by phone at 800-837-3419, ext. 22 or by e-mail at amyers@farmanddairy.com.)