FFA student Melissa Jones, left, and Kiley Woolsey, carry hay as volunteers at the Fallon AllBreeds Bull Sale that opens Friday morning.
For 50 years the Fallon All Breeds Bull Sale has established itself as one of the premier events of its kind in the West.
By celebrating its golden anniversary beginning with various activities today and culminating with the sale of all sales on Saturday, the bull sale features producers from Nevada and adjacent states to bring the best quality range-ready bulls. According to the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, the sale provides buyers with both quality and selection.
“Bulls range from yearlings to 2-year-olds of different breeds and are bought and sold at the annual sale,” the NCA said, adding consignments this year feature Red Angus, Balancer, Charolais, Hereford and Angus breeds.
The sale begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the Fallon Livestock Exchange.
Fernley rancher and NCA president, Dave Stix Jr. said the bull sale has not lost its luster since the sale first began at the old Gallagher Livestock on 1025 S. Allen Road and then moved 10 years ago to the Fallon Livestock Exchange eight miles west of the city limits.
Stix remembers his father buying bulls at Gallagher’s 40 years ago, and like his father, he has kept the family tradition alive by attending the annual bull sales.
“It’s a place to bring the bulls down to market and to give our local calf operators an opportunity to buy bulls for breeding,” Stix said on the eve of the sale. “This will be a big year for the sale.”
Stix said this year’s sale will have 25-30 percent more bulls available for bid than in past years. He said 146 bulls have been consigned, but the number of available bulls for sale could be reduced. Sifting and grading of the bulls, which begins this morning at 7:30 a.m. may result in a fewer number ready for bidding. In the past, the NCA said about 2-3 percent usually don’t make the grade.
After enduring some lean years because of the Great Recession that affected many producers beginning in 2008 and lasting for several seasons, the bull sale has been making a good comeback. At last year’s sale on Valentine’s Day, 72 high quality Angus, Charolais, Hereford, Murray Grey Long Yearling and 2-year-old bulls brought a total of $411,500 with a sale average of $5,715 “across the board.”
Stix said he is excited about what this year’s sale will bring. He said several producers are bringing the Red Angus bull for sale, and many out-of-state producers are bringing bulls with blood lines local producers don’t regularly see.
“Hats off to everyone for the past 50 years,” Stix said.
Eureka County rancher and state senator from northeastern Nevada, Pete Goicoechea, said his family has supported the bull sale for decades. Not only is it a family affair with the Goicoechea family but also an opportunity to meet old friends from both Nevada and the other states.
“I remember buying bulls since the sale was at the old facility,” Goicoechea recounted. “I bought bulls there for 40 years.”
Goicoechea said he is pleased, along with many other ranchers and producers, that the bull market is stronger.
Although he won’t be able to attend this year’s sale because of legislative obligations earlier in the week, his son, JJ Goicoechea, will be in Fallon.
This year’s sale sponsors and donors include Fallon Convention Center and Visitors Authority, Pinenut Livestock Supply, Great Basin Ranch–SNWA, Churchill FFA, Hoof Beat Gates and Corrals, Churchill County Cowbelles, Bonanza Inn and Casino Super 8 Motel, Comfort Inn of Fallon and the Holiday Inn Express.