Planning herd sales

[4hfarms]

So I have a situation here and need to sell my 17 cows/calf and bulls. Would I be better off selling all at one sale or a few a week or advertise private or auction company, etc?

My neighbor offer to buy them "if I can't find a buyer" as a last resort. So I would be better off selling at the barn, just have to decide how AND when.

Thoughts of how you would do it...

 

[Ky hills]

Our regional stockyards company has monthly special cow sales in addition to their regular weekly sales.
They can advertise the cows as a dispersal for their special cow sales.
The special sales generally sell better than just taking head cows to the regular sales.
Around here you have to be careful selling private unless you are very up to date on current prices, as many folks are usually wanting to buy, but are also wanting to buy at a significantly reduced price.
We we sold half of our cows back in the winter at a special cow sale. When the announcement came out in the stockyard’s website we had several people call wanting to buy the cows before the sale. So that kind of told us most of them were thinking they could buy them cheaper out private than at the sale. There were also others that went to the sale specifically interested in some of our cows,

 

[Lucky]

Set a date with the local barn so they have time to advertise them and sell em all at once.

 

[bird dog]

If you go the local barn route, put up your own sale ad on Craigs list and Facebook.

 

[Ouachita]

I did this in 2014 when prices were high (for that time period) and we had medical bills to pay. I had 30 mommas and almost as many calves. The barn sent trailers and picked them up on the place. They also took some video/pictures while they were here and showed it on their website and at the sale. It was not a special sale, but they did well.

 

[Warren Allison]

What kind of cattle are they? Take pics of them, include thier ages...cows and calves, and the bull's weight and age, then put them for sale on line. Depending on what breed they are, there are hundreds of FB sale groups . And post them here, of course!

 

[Brute 23]

X2 on what lucky said if you go the suction route. If you have the time put them on here or FB first. You might get a bit more.

 

[4hfarms]

As long as Ive been posting here? They are not special cows. Like a box of crayons, never know what color calf your gonna get.
We sell beef and horns, direct to consumer.

I have sold a couple here and there at the barn in the past if we didn't sell them. Did alright, can't complain. Equipment has been paid for. My imput is mostly time while I rotate them. Most were farm to table.

"All natural grass fed and finished"
No shots- no vax -no hormones

They are all longhorn cross.
Limo x
Red Angus x
Black Angus x
Hereford X
Holstein x
And 3 LH mamas x LH bull because we like to see them in the pasture. We only have bovine because I was with a buddy at an auction years ago, and my wife likes them. Thinks thier cute! I bought three late term LH cross. About a year and a half later we bred 5 heifers, rest is history. I only do this because Im retired....was just wondering...Bordom is elusive around here.

Just trying to get the most out of them when time comes. Don't really have time to market the meat due to circumstances.

Long ride on a short trailer.

 

[TCRanch]

Our sale barn advertises dispersal sales way in advance. If it's a large operation, they will have a separate sale, but in your case, would probably sell on a regular sale day. Pics or videos of your cattle and all their vaccination history is a plus.

@Brute 23 has a great idea. There are a lot of CT members in your area. Minus the sale barn commission.

Edit. Just saw your post. Okay, ditch the vaccination history. You may take a little hit at a sale barn without one.

 

[Ouachita]

As long as Ive been posting here? They are not special cows. Like a box of crayons, never know what color calf your gonna get.
We sell beef and horns, direct to consumer.

I have sold a couple here and there at the barn in the past if we didn't sell them. Did alright, can't complain. Equipment has been paid for. My imput is mostly time while I rotate them. Most were farm to table.

"All natural grass fed and finished"
No shots- no vax -no hormones

They are all longhorn cross.
Limo x
Red Angus x
Black Angus x
Hereford X
Holstein x
And 3 LH mamas x LH bull because we like to see them in the pasture. We only have bovine because I was with a buddy at an auction years ago, and my wife likes them. Thinks thier cute! I bought three late term LH cross. About a year and a half later we bred 5 heifers, rest is history. I only do this because Im retired....was just wondering...Bordom is elusive around here.

Just trying to get the most out of them when time comes. Don't really have time to market the meat due to circumstances.

Long ride on a short trailer.

Mine have always been crayons too; previous to the sale in 2014 and then I bought back in 2018 and did the same thing, a motley crew.

I don’t think it makes much difference when you need to disperse a heard, unless you have something special.

I wish you were closer, because I want some more, just about what you have, and I’d pay you what they’re worth.

 

[kenny thomas]

So I have a situation here and need to sell my 17 cows/calf and bulls. Would I be better off selling all at one sale or a few a week or advertise private or auction company, etc?

My neighbor offer to buy them "if I can't find a buyer" as a last resort. So I would be better off selling at the barn, just have to decide how AND when.

Thoughts of how you would do it...

If you were here I could advertise them for next Saturdays sale and get a big response. Im sure one of the stockyards in your area will do the same. You can get them all gone in 1 day and be done with it.
Dickson is fairly close to you I think and they have a good sale.

 

[Warren Allison]

Do the cows still have their horns? And the cross bred cows' calves..are they 3/4 LH?

 

[farmerjan]

Both of the 2 sale barns we deal with will advertise... Both have bred/cow-calf sales. but will advertise herd dispersals and such... Usually always gets more interest if advertised. One of the auctions advertised just 2 nice looking hereford cows with heifer calves for this past Friday's sale....
So, pick the sale barn, give them some advance notice, and they will advertise them on their websites and it will get more people at the sale. If @kenny thomas says that Dickson is pretty good, I would take his advice....

 

[4hfarms]

I sell at Dickson. For the last few years I had one or two left over after filling my freezers, they take a ride before winter. Can't complain on what I get for them there. Down right surprising sometimes!
The never been in a chute until they go on the trailer. Daily moves give them what they need.

Yes they all have horns.
...some larger than others