12 minute read
Thoughts From the Block
Auction Barn Professionals Offer Top Management Tips for Maximizing Profits on Sale Day
by Macey Mueller, for the Red Angus Magazine
Sale day is an exhilarating time filled with a mix of emotions and nerves. For some producers, it may be their largest – or sometimes only – payday of the year, and success in the sale ring is often the result of months of planning, factoring and decision making. While industry-standard vaccination protocols and third-party verification programs typically add value to calves, seasoned auctioneers and sale barn managers know there are a few additional steps producers can take to make management efforts really pay off.
Communicate with Your Marketing Partner
As the general manager and an auctioneer at St. Onge Livestock, Justin Tupper markets close to 160,000 head of cattle through his sale barn in St. Onge, South Dakota, each year. He said communication is key when it comes to promoting cattle, so producers should be sure to disclose genetics and shot programs that could be of special interest to potential buyers.
Additionally, auction barn managers typically have a strategy to get cattle unloaded, sorted and into the ring in a timely manner, and Tupper said the producers who take the time to consign their cattle and make a plan – rather than just showing up on sale day – are often more successful.
“Time is money for everybody in the cattle business these days,” he said. “When customers let me know what cattle they’re bringing, we’re able to set up times and figure out how to get those calves unloaded and through the ring efficiently, which helps keep them fresh and looking their best for buyers. “If I see somebody who is dissatisfied, it’s usually because we didn’t have the communication we needed to make sure things went smoothly on their one big payday for the year.”
Prepare For Shipping Day
Blake Nuffer and his family own Montana Livestock Auction just west of Butte, Montana, where they market close to 70,000 head of cattle annually. He said a smooth shipping day actually starts weeks beforehand, and the extra preparation can make a big difference at the weigh up.
Justin Tupper Blake Nuffer
“Be organized when shipping day comes,” he said. “Make sure your corrals are in good shape, make sure the gates are swinging properly and make sure you have plenty of good help.
“You don’t have to go fast, but going smoothly helps ensure your cattle get loaded under less stress and in a safe manner. It’s your payday for the year, so take it seriously and get those calves loaded as efficiently as possible.”
Nuffer said when possible, cattle that aren’t shipping should be sorted three to four weeks prior to prevent additional stress and shrink.
“Every time you have to sort calves out of the herd it adds stress and potential weight loss,” he said. “If there’s a light end you’re not ready to sell or you know there are calves that don’t fit a video contract, it’s best to get them out of there ahead of time and give the others an opportunity to grow and keep their bloom.”
Invest in Genetics
Whether you’re looking to sell more pounds or raise better replacement females, when it comes to bull selection, both Nuffer and Tupper agree that good genetics can drive profitable production.
“I realize good bulls can be a huge overhead expense, but I am a big believer in keeping your feet to the fire when it comes to improving your herd and producing better calves,” Nuffer said. “You don’t have to break yourself, but good genetics can be a real game changer, so it’s worth building Sorting calves adds stress and potential weight loss so groups of calves should be sorted at home three to four weeks before shipping.
connections with quality seedstock producers, finding the sires that are going to help maximize profit potential and making the investment for your operation.”
“We’re seeing it more now than we have sometimes in the past, but pounds make dollars,” Tupper added. “When you can find ways to get your 1,300-pound cow to produce more pounds at weaning time, that’s always going to pay dividends in some way, and raising that bigger calf helps to make her more efficient when it comes to production costs.”
Established in 1954
Big Sky Bull Sale Saturday, February 4, 2023
70 Red Angus Bulls • 30 Red SimAngus Bulls
Yellowstone Development Center • Shepherd, MT • 1:00 MDT
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ID
RAAA# DOB BrdCds ProS HB GM CE BW WW YW MM ME HPG CEM ST MB REA $PRO $RAN FERT 1272J 4456093 2/21/21 100% AR 141 48 93 17 -3.2 66 113 28 6 16 8 13 0.90 -0.03 $21,276 $60 1.85
KINGMAKER X TAKEOVER X BIG SKY • Outcross herd bull in the making and his $P will go up!
1056J 4455669 1/9/21 100% AR 133 56 77 16 -5.4 69 110 31 -3 14 10 11 0.78 0.39 $19,940 $79 1.70
PRESIDENT X X-FACTOR X NIGHT CALVER • Stacking three breed greats in one package!
1006J 4455571 12/30/20 100% AR 131 33 98 12 -1.7 77 132 31 11 13 8 11 0.96 0.30 $19,890 $43 2.03
CHARTER X ORACLE X P707 • Big time growth, marbling and Fertility!
1507J 4558737 4/2/21 100% AR 102 30 72 12 -1.9 57 103 33 14 11 5 15 0.77 0.03 $19,240 $53 1.37
MAGNITUDE X EXPECT ECHO X SIGNATURE • 103 MPPA Dam backs this balance bull up!
1504J 4552781 3/30/21 100% AR 115 59 56 14 -3.2 75 122 33 17 9 8 18 0.80 0.33 $19,012 $63 1.65
STOCK MARKET X REGALIA X CHATEAU • This stud's mother reports a 111 MPPA!
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ID
RAAA# DOB BrdCds ProS HB GM CE BW WW YW MM ME HPG CEM ST MB REA $PRO $RAN FERT 1036J 4455629 1/7/21 100% AR 79 12 67 16 -3.8 67 114 32 14 15 9 7 0.89 -0.14 $19,523 $110 1.89
X-FACTOR X RIGHT DIRECTION X EXPECTATION • Highes $Ranch bull in the entire sale!
1226J 4456001 2/6/21 100% AR 147 78 70 12 -3.5 71 108 27 -1 17 9 15 0.98 0.24 $16,933 $90 2.11
PRESIDENT X X-FACTOR X P707 • Great pedigree along with high Fertility in this herd bull!
1511J 4552725 4/3/21 100% AR 133 82 51 14 -1.9 77 123 30 7 8 9 20 0.69 0.43 $17,407 $76 2.09
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1137 4542109 1/28/21 100% AR 133 72 61 18 -5.1 67 109 28 5 14 11 15 0.74 0.39 $17,671 $74 1.43
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1564J 4552731 4/27/21 100% AR 128 71 57 10 -3.1 72 114 29 0 12 7 16 0.59 0.23 $17,317 $74 1.76
COMMANDER X EPIC X CONTENDER • 106 MPPA dam to this great bull!
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ID
RAAA# DOB BrdCds ProS HB GM CE BW WW YW MM ME HPG CEM ST MB REA $PRO $RAN FERT 1180 4542115 3/18/21 100% AR 85 19 65 10 1.3 84 135 35 17 11 8 10 0.78 0.04 $18,887 $57 1.54
GENUINE X IRON STRIKE X FUTURE DIRECTION • Top 3% for WW, YW, MB and CW!
1334J 4456217 3/23/21 100% AR 110 35 75 13 -2.1 74 128 30 20 10 7 15 0.70 -0.06 $13,440 $39 2.36
RELIANCE X PROSPECT X CONQUEROR • One of the highest Fertility bulls in the entire sale!
1191J 4455937 2/1/21 100% AR 51 30 20 10 0.9 83 124 32 6 8 5 13 0.36 0.29 $13,961 $49 1.45
MERLIN X RIGHT VIEW X CONQUEST • Big time dam backing this bull with a 107 MPPA!
1172 4542023 3/23/21 100% AR 80 31 48 11 -1.3 78 124 32 4 10 6 12 0.46 0.49 $15,616 $46 1.56
MERLIN X EPIC X RIBEYE • Great growthy bull from the Crystal Cow Family!
1175 4542157 3/23/21 100% AR 108 42 66 13 -1.9 77 123 32 8 12 8 12 0.86 -0.01 $18,912 $65 1.95
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ID
RAAA# DOB BrdCds ProS HB GM CE BW WW YW MM ME HPG CEM ST MB REA $PRO $RAN FERT 1949J 4456323 2/9/21 36% AR 64% SM 200 78 121 10 -0.4 87 152 21 0 15 6 16 0.93 0.79 $26,740 $38 1.78
AUGUSTINE X KARAT X TAKEOVER • Extreme growth genetics that will sire lots of pounds!
1936J 4456297 2/3/21 29% AR 72% SM 170 80 91 16 -4.0 71 113 26 -9 16 8 15 1.12 0.38 $26,735 $91 1.97
AUGUSTINE X KARAT X GENUINE • The top $Profit and $Ranch bull in the offering!
1965J 4456353 2/22/21 36% AR 64% SM 140 57 83 14 -1.5 77 128 26 3 13 7 15 0.75 0.93 $26,600 $54 1.91
AUGUSTINE X KARAT X RUSHMORE • Solid dam to this herd bull with a 107 MPPA!
1544J 4552831 4/17/21 41% AR 59% SM 144 62 82 11 0.2 88 135 30 -2 12 5 15 0.65 0.71 $26,158 $62 1.80
AUGUSTINE X RIGHT DIRECºTION X BEEF MAKER • Really stacked pedigree and a 104 MPPA dam to boot!
1969J 4456361 3/15/21 41% AR 59% SM 176 97 79 17 -5.2 67 107 26 -3 18 9 18 0.96 0.56 $26,016 $59 1.87
AUGUSTINE X INDEPENDENCE X YUKON • Excellent indexing bull with high Fertility!
LCOC AUGUSTINE U927E Red SimAngus sire that is changing the beef industry!
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Cull Hard on Cows
With a widespread drought affecting feed and forage production, many producers have already started thinning their herds to conserve resources. Nuffer said even if a cow is young, gets bred and raises a calf, she may not be a productive female worthy of staying on the ranch.
“We need to be tough on our cows and not make excuses for them,” he said. “Regardless of her age, if she’s not bred or she’s raising a peanut that doesn’t size up with your other calves, write that number down and send her on down the road. That’s just grass a good cow could be eating.
“I think we’re going to see this weigh up cow market come back, and you’re going to be able to go to buy some nice cows to replace those who are not earning their keep.”
While current drought conditions present many issues, they also provide an opportunity to identify cows who get bred early in the season, allowing producers to tighten calving windows. Research has shown that getting a higher percentage of cows to calve within the first 21 days of the calving season results in heavier weaning weights and increased pregnancy rates compared to later calving cows.
“When you’re considering which cows to cull, look at those who are not getting bred early in the season,” Nuffer said. “We may be in a situation where our cow herds are shrinking, but if you can tighten up your calving dates, you may be able to sell just as many pounds of beef as you would if you just kept leaving those cows strung out in a long calving season.”
Look for Opportunities to Differentiate
A common issue at St. Onge and many other auction barns across the county is the flood of spring-born calves going to market in October, November and early December. Tupper acknowledges the variance in weather conditions and feed availability in different areas, but suggests if possible, producers should consider alternative strategies to avoid the “glut.”
“When everybody calves in such a short window, we group those cattle up into a time slot that puts pressure on the market,” he said.
“If you’re able to do something that is not exactly the norm, that’s not the same as everybody else, it’s probably going to be an advantage for you.
“I hear a lot of folks say ‘that’s what my dad did and that’s what his dad did, so that’s what we do,’ but in today’s business you have to be willing to think outside the box to make management decisions that work for you, not just because that’s the way it’s always been done.” //
Don’t miss the North Dakota Red Select Sale December 10th, featuring two outstanding heifer calves as well as two embryo packages from HanSine.
HRP STONY 8116 K209 RAAA# 4623681
PIE QUARTERBACK 789 x 9-MILE STONY 6227-8116 From one of our best donor cows that died earlier this year, 9 Mile Stony 6227-8116, K209 is a super deep bodied feminine heifer with excellent feet and udder much like her mother.
HRP COVER GIRL D6437 K253 RAAA# 4641109
KJL/CLZB COMPLETE 7000E x LSF SRR COVR GRL T7157 D6437 From one of our favorite sire groups, KLJ/CLZB COMPLETE 7000E, who also died this summer and left very limited semen available, K253 has lots muscle, shape and tons of genetic potential.
HanSine 2 year olds and calves in July To stay up to date with all the sale details and early previews follow us on Facebook (HanSine Ranch) and Instagram (@hansineranch) Or for more information and to be added to our mailing list contact us at our website or email below.
HanSine Ranch - Pierre, SD
Travis Shaffer (605) 280-0693 Brian Brigham (970) 481-5192 hansineranchsd@gmail.com www.hansineranch.com
U2Q President 60H C-T Reputation 0094 HRP Trojan 1004J
