The auction market system

[crazeeakerz]

I have followed this topic with great interest and would like to add my comments (for what their worth).
A number of years ago we were not pleased with the results of selling through the auction, so we tried selling preconditioned calves off the farm. This worked well for about 4 years. Our buyers were happy with the cattle, they calves were not sick, etc. However, for reasons I can't explain the buyers began to get restless. They complained mostly of the price and then other minor things. In short they returned to the auction to buy their calves. We eventually returned to the auction to sell as private selling became too much of a hassle. We sell our calves after they have been properly weaned and are eating well on their own. The prices we receive are good and we have had no complaints from buyers. What more can I say.

[cowman]

crazeeakerz: I had a deal like you describe once. The problem was the buyer up and died on me! But it sure worked well for both of us.
I also had a buyer who bought my calves out of the auction for about four years straight. I knew him personally so would always phone him about a month later to see how they did (I also phoned him before I sold them so he could be there). He never had any problems. These were big crossbred steers right off their mothers, who had been getting hay and a creep. They weighed in the 7-8 range. One year they averaged 834 lbs. with an overnight stand! Unfortunately, this feeder got old and quit. Now I don't usually have a clue who buys these calves as it all seems to be professional cattle buyers.

[cowman]

One other thing I always try to do is thank the guy who bought my calves whether he is a pro or not. I don't know if it does any good but I don't think it hurts! And I get to know a lot of interesting people!

[peasant]

I am a English Farmer and due to the outbreak of Foot and Mouth, we now dont have a Live Market system. This has made it very difficult for buyers and sellers to get together. I am not sure about the system in your country, but in England a lot of Markets are small affairs,drawing people from only a small distance. The thing that is most noticeable is there is no way of fixing the prices and no competion for the better lots. Animals tend to be sold just on verbal discription and weight. The dealers acting as middle men to move Livestock on in the chain. The Land Agents that run the Livestock Markets in this Country acting only as brokers.