A double-edged knife: Missoula knife company purchases sale barn; keeps cattle moving 

The closure of an ag-based business normally emits a melancholy note to the industry; a reminder of the challenges of viability to farmers and ranchers.

In the case of the Missoula, Mont., livestock sale barn, a gate may have swung closed for the last time, but a proverbial window is opening.

Josh Smith of Frenchtown, Mont., owner of Montana Knife Company purchased the 27-acre property west of Missoula, Mont., that was formerly the Five Valleys Livestock Auction last spring. The final livestock sale was held in May, and on June 1, he started construction of a new 50,000 square-foot facility to house his booming knife production company.

Tamara Choat