Ky hills
Well-known member
From what your saying, by telling an issue and then it not being announced at time of sale, you did your part. To me that comes out about even because there's also times when things that would help you don't get announced too.I wish I could say I have always been as open in the marketing of cattle as you state in your post above.
My natural inclination is to talk too much and tell all I know, even when it hurts financially. But I have to fight a propensity to exaggerate. I do not think I have ever purposely misled.
Sometimes I have taken stock to be sold, informed those in charge of my worries of some problem, and sat silently in the audience while they are sold with no disclaimer. I felt bad and worried the damage to my reputation was a worse loss than the few extra dollars I gained.
I think you are being too hard on yourself. Marketing cattle at auction is a rough sport at best and we all learn from our mistakes.
I think your plan out of the situation is the right one and a good deal awaits in the future if you do not get too down on yourself.
Generally, they that work the ring or an eagle eyed buyer will point something out and have a calf split from a group or point out a flaw.
If we have an animal with a question we say sell it by the pound. If something is wild or aggressive which is rare for us, we always warn the workers before it comes off the trailer to watch it and it gets old by the pound.
I think most folks have an understanding as do I that there is a lot of leeway when selling and that you can end up with things not perfect and it doesn't ruin a reputation. Something major and deliberate is different.