Cattle auction

Friday my brother and I visited the local livestock auction for their regular Friday auction. We arrived after 11 am and stayed until after 1pm.

The auction has plenty of cattle, and unlike the auction in Missoula, does not take a break for lunch. A few women from the auction's in-house cafe came by and asked if anyone wanted to order and have their meal delivered. Some people did so. Otherwise I noticed some people left then came back later.

The room wasn't full of people, but there were plenty of people there. 95% of the people were men. Unlike last year, when there were a number of men in their 60s and 70s, the majority of men today seemed to range from 30s into their 50s.

There were plenty of cattle for sale. The auction quickly and efficiently moved the cattle through the ring. Some ranches brought in a number of cattle. One fellow had 70 head of nice steers and heifers. The 70 sold all one group. Other ranchers had groups from 30 to 50 head. Due differences in sex (steers and heifers are sold separately), and weights, many of the other rancher's cattle were sold in smaller groups. It was not uncommon to have groups sold at two to three dozen at a time.

While I was there the cattle sold were mainly yearlings from 400+ to near 900 lbs. A few calves were also sold.

The cattle prices were definitely less than a year ago. The highest price calf sold for $1.29 while a year ago a calf sold for $1.70. Last year the prices usually were $1.00 to $1.30 lb. This year the price range was mid .70 to $1.10 with a few really nice cattle selling as high as $1.16.

The following pictures show part of the 70 head of cattle. The auction brought in 20 to 30 head at a time, let them mill around a bit so the buyers can look them over, then got them out so the next batch could arrive.



There were lots and lots of black and black Angus cattle. I was surprised a little to also see a number of light/white/tan Charolais cattle.