We sold 1,094 head at our cattle sale on Saturday for a total of $3,630,910.31. Cattle prices have slipped a bit since last fall, but just like the weather, we cannot control that. Unfortunately, the input costs have not slipped.
It was still a good sale with excellent quality on the animals. Dry years make for nice, strong, heavy calves. Saturday was a true test of the great staff we have. It was raining and raining hard, and they all stuck it out for the entire remainder of the sale, which was all afternoon. The paperwork, the people and the cattle were drenched.
We are lucky to have these dedicated people who take time off their jobs and farms to make the sale happen. The girls in the office often take a lot of flak from people, but you should be reminded that these ladies are working because they care about the community and the sales barn and are doing the best they can.
As a reminder, we are only as good as the information you provide us when it comes to the catalogue and filling out a pre-delivery sheet really helps with accuracy. We are only human, and mistakes will happen, and they are not done with any intent.
We are busy prepping for the next sale, which is only three weeks away on Oct. 17. Again, Katie will do her best to organize cattle bookings and staff, but she should have a new baby any day now, so Murray and I will do our best to work with her on this.
I realize we need the rain, but it can stop anytime now. Rain at this time of the year really makes a big mess. It doesn’t take many trips with a tractor and cattle moving around to really punch things up. We are back to rubber boots, that is for sure. I had myself wide awake most of the night last night, stressing about moving cattle, weaning calves, cleaning the yard, getting some gravel and just life in general.
I am really hoping we get some dry weather yet for both the station and at home.
There are a bunch of exciting events coming up!
The Rainy River Federation of Agriculture is hosting the AGM on Oct. 21 at the Stratton Millennium Hall. They will have speakers who will share with you the benefits of incorporating your farm.
Saturday, Oct. 24 is the Friends of the Abattoir fundraising dinner and fun. They are planning a prime rib and chicken dinner. Please get your tables/tickets reserved soon! If you have any donations you would like to make towards the live or silent auction they girls will be happy to take that as well. Reach out to Kerry at (807) 271-4316, Chantelle at (807) 275-6877 or Kelsey at (289) 439-9933. It is going to be a great night, and the support is not only appreciated but needed.
Oct. 27 at the Emo Legion, the Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) are hosting a Town Hall meeting that everyone is invited to attend. If you would like to learn more about issues, opportunities and market conditions affecting the Ontario Beef sector, you won’t want to miss this. Please attend; BFO is working very hard for you, and they would really appreciate seeing their members/producers show up. It will begin at 7 p.m.
The Rainy River Valley Ag Society is also hosting a great night on Oct. 29 at the Emo Inn from 5:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. It is called “You Make the Difference”. This is designed to strengthen Fairs and their volunteers and exhibitors! Please register today at youmakethedifference.com.
