Starting a Pasture Sale Ideas?

[vet tech]

Been thinking about possibly starting a pasture sale either next year or the following year. As a buyer, or just someone who enjoys visiting sales, what are the first things you look at? I guess I mean what are the things in your mind that want to bring you back the next year? Sure, quality of calves has to be elite im sure. I am 20 years old, I have been to many sales and try to learn as much as I can at every stop I make. We run about 70 cows give or take a few. I try and specialize in club calves but have some cows we breed maternal. We do as much embryo work as we can handle at the moment. What is a solid number of calves to have in a sale? I would like a number that is workable and am not ready for anything like 50 calves to sell just yet. As a buyer what are your bidding prefrences and how do you like to see things run? For example, calves for sale AFTER a given date, or a first come first served style, or maybe a 2-3 day silent bid type sale? Im just looking for suggestions on what everyone likes to see. I am hoping for a very good response to this so dont let me down steerplanet!  ;D.

Thanks for any input or ideas from anybody, I greatly appreciate it.

 

[The Show]

For starters I would say try and have all the calves in the same location that way buyers aren't driving to two or three pastures to look at calves. The next thing to consider is how easy is it going to be for buyers to look at the calves? That could mean building a trap out of electrical fence, putting them in a working pen, etc... You don't want buyers having to walk all over the world to look at a calf, and you probably don't want them driving everywhere either. I would say 15-20 would be a pretty decent number. The more calves you have to offer the more and farther people will come. I wouldn't drive from Texas for a 10 calf sale, but if you've got 50+ sure enough good calves for sale I wouldn't mind making the trip. Next is preparation, if you can at all possible clip the calves it will make a would of difference. Run them through a squeeze and spend 10-15 minutes on them and you'll be amazed by the difference. I prefer a 2-3 semi-silent bid off, and people can come look at anytime, but no calves sold before the sale. I say semi-silent because it's not an auction setting, but bidding works the same. Set a base price for each calf, let people turn in bids, then get on the phone. Call people when they've been outbid, and give them a chance to bid more, if they don't then their out. Set a deadline(Bids close at 6 p.m. on Friday) you may have a few people go back and forth after the deadline, but nothing unreasonable. I think that's how you can get the most money. It requires the most work, but it offers the most reward IMO.

 

[vet tech]

For starters I would say try and have all the calves in the same location that way buyers aren't driving to two or three pastures to look at calves. The next thing to consider is how easy is it going to be for buyers to look at the calves? That could mean building a trap out of electrical fence, putting them in a working pen, etc... You don't want buyers having to walk all over the world to look at a calf, and you probably don't want them driving everywhere either. I would say 15-20 would be a pretty decent number. The more calves you have to offer the more and farther people will come. I wouldn't drive from Texas for a 10 calf sale, but if you've got 50+ sure enough good calves for sale I wouldn't mind making the trip. Next is preparation, if you can at all possible clip the calves it will make a would of difference. Run them through a squeeze and spend 10-15 minutes on them and you'll be amazed by the difference. I prefer a 2-3 semi-silent bid off, and people can come look at anytime, but no calves sold before the sale. I say semi-silent because it's not an auction setting, but bidding works the same. Set a base price for each calf, let people turn in bids, then get on the phone. Call people when they've been outbid, and give them a chance to bid more, if they don't then their out. Set a deadline(Bids close at 6 p.m. on Friday) you may have a few people go back and forth after the deadline, but nothing unreasonable. I think that's how you can get the most money. It requires the most work, but it offers the most reward IMO.

The Show, Thanks for you input i appreciate it. I know exactly what you mean about location, I have a show barn with a wash stall, cool room, and 7 pens that I can work in with a 7-9 acre field and a 1.5 acre field that branch from the barn to view calves. Also clipping will be an absolute must for me. I try my best to always have the calves well presented. I really appreciate the information on the bidding set-up and will for sure keep it in mind.
I know many planeteers have their own sales maybe someone could shed some light on how they run it?

 

[The Show]

Your welcome! I can't help much with the behind the scenes stuff because I've never put on my own sale.

 

[Cyfarmer]

I have been to quite a few. One thing I like to have is a nice fact sheet on the calves that I can make notes on. Not necesarily something glossy, or shiney that is hard to write on. Big things for me  - sire, dam's sire, birthdate, possible breed registration, and other intersting info like sibling show sucess. I also like to talk to the owner after I view the calves and ask about prices. One thing I hate is if I am interested in a calf and they don't know where the bid is. BE ORGANIZED with bids.

 

[vet tech]

I have been to quite a few. One thing I like to have is a nice fact sheet on the calves that I can make notes on. Not necesarily something glossy, or shiney that is hard to write on. Big things for me  - sire, dam's sire, birthdate, possible breed registration, and other intersting info like sibling show sucess. I also like to talk to the owner after I view the calves and ask about prices. One thing I hate is if I am interested in a calf and they don't know where the bid is. BE ORGANIZED with bids.

Thanks! I am also a big fan in the fact sheet its something nice to take home so you can remember the calves. I will for sure incorporate that into the sale.