pro's and con's

[magpie]

Thinking of selling feeders in a presort sale, never sold like this before. We have different weights ranging from 750 to 1000 pounds but not enough numbers to get that 20 or 30 in a package. What's everyone’s opinion, good or bad?

[frustrated1]

Have sold fall calves in presorts on a regular basis but that was always pre BSE. Last fall there was no reasoning from one week to the next in price so we kept all of them. Normally I've been happy with the results as you don't have the singles and the sale is usually over quick. Weighed off the truck,etc. Market seems a little more stable at the moment and should work out. The trouble with last fall and a presort was if you hit a bad day you can't bring them home.

[kato]

A presort is only as good as who does the sorting. An example, if they put your good clean calves in with a bunch that have horns, either you are helping someone else get a better price, or they are bringing yours down.Yardage is sometimes higher too, especially if it's a satellite sale.

You really have to watch out if you have any calves that don't make it into a group. If they sell later as singles, they usually sell cheap.

[cowman]

kato has got it right. If you have good people doing the sorting, you'll do alright. Ask the neighbors how it's worked for them. Auctions soon get a reputation about that sort of thing. But if you have an off calf or two you're better to sell them at the regular sale...the off calves that is.