wbvs58 said:
V nice Aaron. Seems like you were buying in the top section of the catalogue.
Ken
I got lucky on both accounts. The lowest priced Fleckvieh at that particular sale last year went for $8,000, most were in the $10-15k range. I was just going to watch the sale, never thought I would even have a chance to bid. For whatever reason, likely poor weather during sale day, the Flecks sold much more reasonable this year. I almost bought the top bull in the sale, which was a half brother to this one for $7k, but the bidding took off at last minute and I decided to drop out; that bull ended up at $10k, which if I was to only buy one bull this year, I would have bought. This Fleck bull was my 2nd pick and came in a little while later and managed to steal him for $5500.
In the Hereford's case, he was also my 2nd pick, as the top pick was a favorite for about 30 other guys and bidding was hot. I had reservations at stopping on the top bull at $11,500, but I did, and he went $15,500 to an operation in North Dakota. I had thought about partnering up with a buddy in Alberta to get him, but we still may have been short as the US/CAN exchange rate makes US buyer more competitive in pricing. But it was a rotten cold day, the day of the sale, so bargains were had as many never made it to the sale. This bull I bought should have been in the $9k region, but I got him for $6750.
My bull budget was $15k this year for 2 bulls and I am very glad I came well within it. Some years I don't. Since there is a little money left in the pot, I am going to watch one more sale this weekend and see if a bargain basement spare bull could be had. I never mind having too many bulls as a backup.
