STEERPLANET PRIVATE TREATY SALE?

[ShowmanQ]

I know we have talked about doing this before, but what would it take to really get something going? I would be super willing to help get something together and even have some consignments. I Figure that we would be about 8 months or so out from a good sale time, that sounds like enough time to get some ideas put together. I know that it would be hard to do something since we are so spread out, but I would be willing to try to get something together in the OH region. We are located in central OH, but if that did not work for people interested we could think of some other location. Maybe this is an idea destined to fail, but I think there are some calves on here that are sure deserving of being well represented. IDEAS WELCOME (clapping)

 

[shortyjock89]

A sale would be pretty dang cool, and I think we could probably put a calf or two on it.  Since there are SO many of us in the OH-IN-IL-IA region, maybe a place in Indiana would work?  I'm in east central IL, and I bet some folks from IL and IA would be interested.  How far is too far for people to consign, and what sort of set up are we gonna need to actually put the sale on?  We were talking about having a sale with one of our friends here at our place, but we need to get more pasture so we wouldn't have any cows at our house at the time....how many calves would be the min and max for having the sale?  I know there are quite a few folks on here that have their own sales, hopefully they'll chime in. 

Quinton- didn't mean to make it sound like I was askin you all those questions personally, they're just stuff we need to think about if this is gonna work.  Good idea tho!

 

[ShowmanQ]

I  figured an easy way to set up pens is to take a section of pature already fenced, and run temporary push in posts and wire with gate handles to access pens. Each calf may not have its own pen, but maybe each consignor could have their own pen for their calves (size depending on the #).  I think if we picked a date and checked the weather really good, this sort of outside deal would fair out pretty good. I would say not limit the distance at all, if some SP member wanted to drive from TX to OH/IN/IL/IA to put a calf in go for it. I would not be able to take that trip however I would say that 10-30 calves would be a good starting point for a first year. Certainly would not want a few semi loads of calves if it did not turn out to be a good sale, but I think you ought to have at least 10 to have a sale.
KEEP EM COMING

 

[DMAF]

I think this is a wonderful idea.  I would be willing to help and participate.  I am in Michigan and am always looking for ways to market cattle.  I agree if we centrally located it in the midwest it would be a good idea.  If we could have the sale around or near one of the bigger places to draw on those crouds as well it might help. 

 

[MYT Farms]

I might like to help. We head back to our farm in Iowa every now and again, and I could haul along an animal or two. What are we selling? Steers, heifers, bred heifers, bulls.......

 

[shortyjock89]

Prospect steers and heifers, I assume...not too many bred heifers, bulls, cows, and what not are sold on private treaty...bull prospects wouldn't be too bad of an idea, but they would need to be really really good I would think.

 

[farmboy]

ohio sounds good to me, but columbus or below 

 

[dori36]

I  figured an easy way to set up pens is to take a section of pature already fenced, and run temporary push in posts and wire with gate handles to access pens. Each calf may not have its own pen, but maybe each consignor could have their own pen for their calves (size depending on the #).  I think if we picked a date and checked the weather really good, this sort of outside deal would fair out pretty good. I would say not limit the distance at all, if some SP member wanted to drive from TX to OH/IN/IL/IA to put a calf in go for it. I would not be able to take that trip however I would say that 10-30 calves would be a good starting point for a first year. Certainly would not want a few semi loads of calves if it did not turn out to be a good sale, but I think you ought to have at least 10 to have a sale.
KEEP EM COMING

Great idea "Q"!  Would you envision that most of the cattle/calves offered would be halter broke?  If so, sellers might want to tie 'em in their pens and wire would be a problem.  How about each consignor bringing portable panels to be chained together.  That way, a they could be tied up.  Easier to get into and out of, too, for buyers.

 

[kanshow]

I was recently at a sale where everything was halter broke but they had them loose in the pens - electric tape.  It made it nice because you could get in the pen, move the calves around, get all the way around them & didn't have to have someone keep leading them out.    So if this works out.. maybe we could start an SP central sale .. Kansas, OK, TX, MO???

 

[MYT Farms]

I like that idea. An eastern and western version of the sale! 

 

[ShowmanQ]

I have been to several sales where the calves are broke and are in wire or tape pens. They are easy to get in and out of. I would say that the calves will be required to be broke. I would be willing to help with getting them clipped and fluffed for sale day. I am sure Justin would not mind coming down a little early and helping accomplish that with me If OH is an option, I would be willing to donate the front pasture for an afternoon.

 

[dutch pride]

Hey; sounds interesting. We are a small and newer club calf operation. Hard to get people to come out and look at our calves and not enough to hold our own sale. Anyway, might be interested as well if all the logistics work out. Some questions? Would calves need to be brought to sale location a week or two ahead of time so prospective buyers could look at them? If so would need to work out feeding / yardage cost etc. Will calves need to be nominated for sale? By this I mean could consignees bring anything or would calves need to meet some sort of quality standard? I assume we would put a minimum bid on them and go from there? I am sure there are many more points to work out but we would like to have a chance to participate.

I think calves should be halter broke but like the idea of having them loose in a small pen, it is much easier to see how they get around when they are walking somewhat naturaly

DLZ

 

[Chap]

i really like the idea, but have a couple of devil's advocate questions.  
Who cares for animal's at the sale site?  Commisision ?  Sort?
Seems to me that the cattle need to be at the sale site several weeks before the sale deadline.  This would require a central figure to organize and care for animals, which should result in a commission to that individual.  
How do we sort the animals that are offered?  pics entered on the planet and voted on by the public?  I think you need to limit the number to 20 head to start.  More than that could be overwhelming.  
Maybe we do numerous SteerPlanet "sanctioned events.  Eastern IA, Central IA, Western IA, Central OH , Western OH, East KS, MO, etc.  Have 4 or 5 members get together and put on a mini sale in several locations.  Host bids on SP, have a standard set of rules and conditions for all sanctioned sales, 1 point person to oversee all sales and several sub-committees to make them happen in the different locals.
 
Just ideas, but some things that need to be discussed

 

[dori36]

If anyone from the more northern tier of the midwest would be interested and think that this would be an option for you, depending on  month and day, I would be easily able to accomodate up to 20 head at my farm.  They could be penned in front of this cool showbarn and some, if anyone wanted, could be penned inside or outside in the pictured pens.  I'm in Michigan, 20 miles east of Michigan State University.  I'd have no calves entered so could be pretty good help for y'all!

 

[kanshow]

I could see it working with just bringing the calves in the day before too & specifically state that calves will be available for viewing after a certain time.  If they want to see calves before that, they can make arrangements with the consigners.

  A few things to consider on location would be lodging, eating places, etc.

 

[shortyjock89]

Chap- I agree with a lot of what you say, in terms of these things needing to be discussed.  I think that the quality of the calves should be somewhat controlled, we don't want people bringing out sale-barn calves (not that we would really have any of those based on what I've seen on here).  I also really like the idea of like a "tour" of sales,  and I would be definitely up for helping get calves ready, finish getting them broke, clip them and all that, for a commission.  I don't think I could host one though, we're short on pasture, but I could have probably 6-10 calves brought here and I could work on them I bet..depending on how many we could consign and how many pens we have free at the time.  

committees are what we need. lots of them with 3 members or more on each of them.

 

[ShowmanQ]

Chap- I agree with a lot of what you say, in terms of these things needing to be discussed.  I think that the quality of the calves should be somewhat controlled, we don't want people bringing out sale-barn calves (not that we would really have any of those based on what I've seen on here).  I also really like the idea of like a "tour" of sales,  and I would be definitely up for helping get calves ready, finish getting them broke, clip them and all that, for a commission.  I don't think I could host one though, we're short on pasture, but I could have probably 6-10 calves brought here and I could work on them I bet..depending on how many we could consign and how many pens we have free at the time.  

committees are what we need. lots of them with 3 members or more on each of them.

I would be more than happy to sit on a committee for this deal. I like the 20 head figure. Nice and easy to work with.

Dori,
I just fell in love with your little showbarn. I would be willing to go up there and work on some calves if people were willing to have them there. I think this may actually end up happening. I am with Justin on clipping and prepping. I will be more than happy to get some ready for a fee. I have some SP members that can be used as references of my work.

 

[shortyjock89]

Dori, I think I might have to move in next door and put a couple calves in that show barn...it's pretty sweet.  I would be willing to bring some calves up and work on some for a couple days as well. I can clip pretty quick, so if the calves are halfway broke and quiet, it wouldn't be a big deal to get through 20 calves between Quinton, myself, and whoever else was helping.

 

[dori36]

I would be more than happy to sit on a committee for this deal. I like the 20 head figure. Nice and easy to work with.

Dori,
I just fell in love with your little showbarn. I would be willing to go up there and work on some calves if people were willing to have them there. I think this may actually end up happening. I am with Justin on clipping and prepping. I will be more than happy to get some ready for a fee. I have some SP members that can be used as references of my work.

Thanks, "Q"!  I have electricity, water, etc, so having the calves there is no problem. I've also had semi's in w/no problem.  Big, circular drive. That side of the farm is also completely fenced in board (you can see it in these pics - yes, those are Lowlines!), and the driveway gated, in case of "escapees"!  Only problem with Michigan is weather.  What month do all of you think would be best?  There are plenty of small town, but really good, people who could do consession food if that's what anyone would want. BTW, my place is also on a main, paved road just 4 miles south of I-96.  I could get excited about this!  Hey, it gives me incentive to get my fence painted!

 

[ShowmanQ]

Dori, I think I might have to move in next door and put a couple calves in that show barn...it's pretty sweet.  I would be willing to bring some calves up and work on some for a couple days as well. I can clip pretty quick, so if the calves are halfway broke and quiet, it wouldn't be a big deal to get through 20 calves between Quinton, myself, and whoever else was helping.

MY OH MY (clapping) If we get this put together we coul;d be in for a good time. Dori, you had better be ready, I think if Justin and myself end up spending a  few days in your barn you will need until the following year's sale to recooperate (lol)