Page 10 Stories of the Heartland • Sunday, April 19, 2026 hometownsource. com / heartland /
Hallerman. Having worked at the Long Prairie Livestock Exchange for many years, it is a special place to him. Not only because of the camaraderie he has found there, but also because of the memories that place brings him from his childhood years. Reminiscing, now 71, he was just a little kid when his parents bought a little Welsh pony colt at the Long Prairie Livestock Exchange for a total of $ 7.
“ Got bucked off of him about 10 or 12 times, but he was a good little pony. We had him for many years,” he said.
A staple in the community
The Long Prairie Livestock Exchange has been a staple in the community for many generations. Like so many farm boys, it was a place Thelen frequented in his younger years and later, purchased from Joe Varner in April 2011. He also
bought Belgrade Livestock Exchange in Belgrade about six years ago.
More than just livestock
Besides selling cattle on Tuesdays and Fridays, the Long Prairie Livestock Exchange holds an“ everything sale” the first Saturday of every month. Over the years, a variety of animals have been auctioned off, including rabbits, birds, horses, donkeys, alligators and more.
The Friday night before, Thelen said, is a horse sale, along with a tack sale.
A family adventure
Operating the Belgrade and Long Prairie Livestock Exchanges together, Thelen and Hiemenz pride themselves on it being family-run. While she has three older children and he has one, they have four children together and have all been a part of the auction business.
Auctioneer Myron Hogan, left, was calling for bids during the livestock sale at Long Prairie Livestock Exchange, while Stacy Hiemenz, right, was clerking. Below the auction booth, owner Brad Thelen was spotting the crowd for bidders.
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