What has been or is your favorite cattle sale?

[afhm]

All the sales I've been to that charged for food it was normally the 4-H or some other non-profit group that was selling the food, or the money was being donated to a worthy cause.  The only exceptions have been sales held at sale barns and their cafe's were the source of food so they charged as they usually would.  Naturally I prefer the free meal, but if I'm hungry and have to pay I will.

 

[red]

All the sales I've been to that charged for food it was normally the 4-H or some other non-profit group that was selling the food, or the money was being donated to a worthy cause.  The only exceptions have been sales held at sale barns and their cafe's were the source of food so they charged as they usually would.  Naturally I prefer the free meal, but if I'm hungry and have to pay I will.

If it's going to a cause they need to make sure we know where it' going. I'll pay also but grumble a little. Now, they better have coffee available for free!

Red

 

[kanshow]

There are ways around both the food stand & cafe...
4H food stands - I've seen where they've paid the 4H to serve.
Cafe/restaurant - I've been given a free meal ticket(s) when I've picked up my number.

Personally, I don't expect a free meal at a smallish sale, but certainly gives me pause when there isn't one offered at a larger sale.    

ETA:  I agree..  the coffee better be free!!!

 

[justintime]

I remember my dad going to a production sale in New York state, of a very, very wealthy breeder. The night before the sale, he hosted a very elaborate prime rib dinner in the ballroom of a 5 star hotel. Everyone in attendance thought that this man was a great and wonderful man for providing such a great dinner and evening.... until he stood at the door and collected $20 from everyone as they left at the end of the evening. This was about 35 years ago, so thew $20 is probably equivalent to $40 now.

 

[red]

I remember my dad going to a production sale in New York state, of a very, very wealthy breeder. The night before the sale, he hosted a very elaborate prime rib dinner in the ballroom of a 5 star hotel. Everyone in attendance thought that this man was a great and wonderful man for providing such a great dinner and evening.... until he stood at the door and collected $20 from everyone as they left at the end of the evening. This was about 35 years ago, so thew $20 is probably equivalent to $40 now.

JIT, that takes the cake!

 

[6M Ranch]

Although obviously not an annual event, I enjoy going to dispersal sales.  (Some places it is an annual event!!)  Gives people like us, a chance on genetics that wouldn't be available otherwise.

 

[simtal]

I'll put two cents on this thread.

About 5-6 years ago, when Mark Ray had his first dispersal, where they sold about 2200 head over three days.

That was quite a sale.  Some of the statistics from it where staggering, for example:


-atleast a hundred calves died, due mud and wet cold conditions (or so I was told), most of the lots were pairs or three in ones

-some calves by the cow's side (whose natural calf had died)  were actually sale barn orphan calves

-One cow sold all three days (to I assume, three different buyers)

-Some meyer daughters were listed older than their sire (figure that one out, hehe)

-Many people were billed (myself included) for cattle they never bought

However, there were some bargains, if you knew your pedigrees and could read eartags.  Top lot (like $75k)  I believe was this supposed "Meyer x Draft Pick" cow (Tag #500) who many say was a commercial heifer "found" in load of feeder calves somewhere


It was a wild deal, lemme tell ya.

 

[justintime]

Simtal's sale reminds me of a large Angus dispersal here in Canada several years ago. The owner in his opening remarks made mention of the fact that the cows were all pregnancy tested. The volume buyer who had purchased over 30 head, had over 10 cows in heat within a few weeks of getting them home. When he contacted the seller, he said that the cows were definitely pregnancy tested. He said that he had simply not mentioned what the results of the preg testing were.

 

[MYT Farms]

Welp, I honestly can't say have a cattle sale that is my favorite. However, I do have a favorite horse sale. Haythorn Production sale in Nebraska is absolutely AWESOME. They have horses that are some of the best in the world, not just this nation. I love all them colors and looking at around 300 head of the best Quarter Horse bloodlines bred. Perty site, fast bidding, horse drawn wagon chaperones for free, and getting to talk to the hired hands.

 

[ShowmanQ]

Simtal's sale reminds me of a large Angus dispersal here in Canada several years ago. The owner in his opening remarks made mention of the fact that the cows were all pregnancy tested. The volume buyer who had purchased over 30 head, had over 10 cows in heat within a few weeks of getting them home. When he contacted the seller, he said that the cows were definitely pregnancy tested. He said that he had simply not mentioned what the results of the preg testing were.

Just goes to show you have to "read the fine print." Probably a good thing a fellow of that sort of character was having a dispersal. No need for someone with that sort of attitude, however as in every industry, you have your good guys and your not so good ones. Pick and choose the company you keep. :-\

 

[shortdawg]

I've enjoyed going to many such as Cates, Cagwin's, WHR, Alden's, KY Beef Expo, Blue Ridge, as well as a few Angus Sales. My favorite was the Cates/Cagwin weekend a few years back when just me & my better half got away for a few days.

 

[showman ne]

sullivan's is always a good time. kolt had a good one too. the k-kim, sullivan/gana-nisley weekend in the spring is fun too