I am trying to get back on track after a few busy days of the cattle sale!
This sale was extra busy as I sold some calves as well. We sold 1,826 head for nearly $6 million! ($5,950,004.30) The market has slightly softened from last year but overall, close.
I always hesitate to say that everyone was happy because there might be someone who isn’t, but I think generally the producers were pleased. I will say that the quality of cattle was top-notch, and all through the day I was so proud of the producers for bringing such great cattle to town.
I think we were all nervous that with that big a sale we would be selling for half the night, but we had everything sold around 7 p.m. The staff did such an amazing job that things moved along very quickly, and the producers that brought us some nice big lots made quite a difference. This is not saying that we don’t appreciate our smaller producers, but obviously if you only bring us 10 head, we won’t be selling 30 at a time.
Special thanks go out to Katie, who delivered a baby but still coordinated all the bookings and staff. She maybe doesn’t realize it, but we certainly appreciate her efforts. We have one sale date left: Nov. 7, 2026. Get your cattle booked with Katie at (807) 275-6273. Predictions are that we will see higher prices going forward. The west has been wet, and producers there have been struggling to get grain off the field and are only now thinking of filling their lots.
I said I will update you on how I thought the “quiet wean” nose flaps went this year. I am not sure it was the best year to try them out because I will tell you it was one of the wettest times for me to get the cattle in to put them in and then take them out before I took them to the sales barn.
I met a truck early Thursday morning to send the four animals that I sold to Dryden. I had decided to haul my calves on Friday. I waited until it was light enough and headed to start getting mine in. The mud is deep. I was delighted to see that my friend Jason showed up to help me get them all in.
We were busy sorting and nearing the end, and much to our dismay, the gate popped open, and we lost five calves. We ended up setting up a couple of panels to make it a bit easier, but setting up panels when you can barely keep your boots on isn’t that fun or easy.
Thankfully Jason was able to stay until we had them all sorted! My mom made him some of his extra favourite sweets for being so helpful!
I had two of them lose their flaps. I had to get them crowded in to pull them out, but again it is an easy task. I have a few cows that are still a bit sad, but generally speaking the calves are very quiet. I do think it is a good thing to consider doing. I am not sure that I picked the right year to start, but I do think I would do it again. It is nice to see the calves less upset.
Upcoming events:
Friends of the Abattoir Fundraising Night – Oct. 24 at 5 p.m.
Beef Farmers of Ontario Town Hall Night – Oct. 27 at the Emo Legion. Everyone is welcome! Please come out for some important updates! 7:00 p.m.
Fair Board You Make a Difference Volunteer Night – Oct. 29 at Emo Inn, 5:30 p.m.
