While April 15 is not a favorite time for most folks, there are exceptions. This year that date proved to be memorable for one Wisconsin family. It held a milestone event at Meadow View Acres near Eau Claire, with the estate sale of lifelong farmer Ray Gilbertson.

“On the block were 16 mint and restored tractors, a combine, grain cart, planting and tillage equipment, shop tools plus excess parts and other accessory items,” says Mark Bjorgo, Gilbertson’s nephew, who along with his brother, Gary, inherited the line of equipment.

Prior to sale day, the marketing campaign was extensive. It consisted of traditional print and social media, email, radio, posters and signage. The print media blitz covered the Midwest, including Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota, as well as Wisconsin. Social media consisted of wide-ranging Facebook posts, Tractor Zoom, midwestauction.com and Google resulting in nearly 12,000 visits to the auction website procountryauction.com. All marketing and auction services were conducted by ProCountry in Mondovi, Wis.

The most noteworthy tractor at the auction was a 2013 Case IH 225 Magnum 25th Anniversary Edition with Tier 4A and four-wheel drive. It was purchased by an out-of-state, online bidder for $131,500.

“Over the years, Ray enjoyed attending auctions and building his own collection of vintage tractors and equipment. Some were restored and others he planned to get running again,” Bjorgo adds. “I know Uncle Ray was very proud of his collection and would have been impressed with the turnout and response of the auction.”

Persinger writes from Milwaukee, Wis.