Great Basin Bull Sale branded a success

The first Great Basin Bull Sale, a combination of two long-running events, received glowing remarks after its debut during the President’s Day weekend at the Rafter 3C Arena.

The annual Fallon All-Breeds Sale and Yerington’s Snyder Livestock “Bulls for the 21st Century” merged into one bull sale for 2023. After an agreement was reached with the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, the Great Basin Bull Sale was born.

“We could not be happier with this event coming to the Rafter 3C Arena; it far exceeded our expectations,” said Churchill County Manager Jim Barbee. “We look forward to having it return as an annual event and to watch it grow and contribute to our local economy.”

Buyers and consignors from as far away as Oregon and Utah converged on Fallon for the three-day sale. In addition to the sale, the Rafter center’s concourse was home to a number of vendors, and the indoor arena was busy with branding and a cow dog trial, and a dinner-dance Friday.

More than 300 people viewed the sale with 123 all-breed bulls sold for an average of $4,730. A bull consigned by Hone Ranch, a son of RAF Bankroll 801, sold for $11,000 to Ashley Cockrell of Cedarville, Calif.

The NCA received the proceeds of a bull in lot 1 as a fundraiser for all the work they do on behalf of cattle producers in Nevada and the surrounding states. Jeff Lommori of Wellington bought the son of RAF Arsenal 806 for $6,000.

Diana Cardey of Turlock, Calif., and Fred Jorgensen of Turlock, Calif., were both complementary of the local organizations for hosting the bull sale. Both visitors were strolling outside the pens checking out the bulls. Jorgensen joked the local chamber of commerce provide ideal weather.

“This is my first time in Fallon,” Jorgensen said. “This is a nice facility.”

Likewise, Cardey noted the nice weather and modern facility for holding the sale.

“It’s fabulous,” she added.

This is the first year the Rafter 3C Arena has hosted the bull sale after it opened in late May.

“They’ve done a good job,” Jorgensen added.

For years, Jorgensen said he’s attended the bull sale in Yerington as well as the Red Bluff Roundup.

Fellow Nevadans Ryder Green of Yerington and Lance Knudsen of Eureka said they were impressed with the facilities.

“It looks awesome,” Green said. “This is the first time I’ve been here.”

Green said the bull sale has attracted a good turnout although technology is not part of the event.

“Everything is moving to video,” he added. “This is a good venue for Fallon.”

Instead of bringing the bulls into the building for buyers to see and bid on, Green said the indoor arena at the Rafter 3C is a good venue for holding the bull sale.

Cara Goss has attended livestock events in Fallon since she was a girl. Now, as livestock coordinator at the University of Nevada, Reno, said she likes the Rafter 3C Arena, but the old location at the Fallon Livestock Exchange served as a good venue.

“The old location was pretty good,” she said. “They treated us good.”

David Holden of Oroville, Calif., has been coming to the bull sale for more than a decade.

“Bringing in new people is always good,” he said, adding this year’s prices are good and holding steady.

Awards were also presented to the following:

• Fred Jorgensen of Jorgensen Charolais for Champion Performance Bull-All Other Breeds.

• Charlie Hone of Hone Ranch, Champion Overall Performance and Champion Calving Ease Angus.

• Tom Easterly of Easterly Romanov Ranch for the Champion Angus Performance Bull.

• Jerry Maltby of Broken Box Ranch, the Champion All Other Breeds Range Bull Award

• Hertlein Cattle Company, owned by Kurt and Sharon Hertlein, the Champion Range Bull, Champion Angus Range Bull and the Overall Supreme Champion Bull.

“With consignors and buyers from Nevada and outlying states, sponsors and advertisers, this event was a huge success,” said Vicki Hone of the Great Basin Bull Sale. “The dinner and dance, dog trials and hot iron branding events rounded off this President’s Day Weekend with more planned for next year.”

She said the second annual event will be Feb. 17.