A number of consignors won awards at the event for the quality of their bulls.
Photo by Steve Ranson.
Smasher Bradley slowly walked from pen to pen focusing on the bulls being auctioned at this year’s Great Basin Bull Sale at Churchill County’s Rafter 3C Complex.
While most of the sellers and buyers drove to Fallon to sift through pages of information in a booklet and then make their bids, Bradley compared his information in his notes, pondering which bulls he would try to buy.
“You have to have a passion for this business,” the 70-year-old McDonough, Georgia, resident said.
Bradley said he had four bulls at home, and he liked the selection offered by the different buyers. According to Bradley, he was astounded with the remarkable number of good-looking bulls.
“I was raised with this thought: ‘The better you feed your cattle the better you feed yourself.’ These bulls look remarkable and will be able to go out and do their jobs.”
Bradley said if he bought any bulls, he would keep them at a friend’s ranch until he figured out what he needed to do. He was not alone in spotting the quality number of bulls. Buyers and sellers from most of the western states converged in Fallon in mid-February for the bulls to be auctioned.
Douglas County rancher Charlie Hone, one of the principals of the bull sale, said the third annual sale was a rousing success. He pointed out the all-breed bulls’ average for 170 head came in at $6,881 with the Angus average for 144 head at $6,984. Yet, the highest average came in for 10 Charolais with their average at $8,125.
Hone said the two top bulls each sold for more than $16,000 and the next three came in at $10,000 each.
The bull sale was presented by the Great Basin Bull sale committee with assistance from the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association in Elko and also Churchill County, which had a vision to construct the Rafter 3C Arena and improve the former fairgrounds to attract bigger and better events.
“The event started off (on the first day) with sifting and grading of the range bulls followed by the kickoff of the ranch rodeo,” Hone said. “Friday dawned with the second day of ranch rodeo events followed by bulls and broncs during dinner. After dinner attendees enjoyed music and dancing by the Bellamy Brothers. Saturday kicked off with bull previews followed by a snappy sale managed by M3 Marketing. The auctioneer was Jake Parnell.”
Jake Brunson of the Carter Cattle Co. traveled more than 250 miles from Ely.
“We’re hoping for the best,” he said as prospective buyers walked by his holding pen. “It will determine if I come back next year.”
As the foot traffic picked up before the sale, he said the bull sale, nevertheless, has provided a good opportunity for him to network with people who are in the cattle business or interested in buying bulls.
Kelly Keep traveled from central Oregon near Bend to attend the sale.
“Everything is better, even for the public to come to the sale,” Keep said.
During the three days, Keep saw portions of the ranch rodeo and felt the bull sale committee was working hard to make the overall event family friendly.
“It’s been more relaxed here,” Keep added.
Jesse Segura, the deputy director for the Rafter 3C complex, said everyone was pleased with the weekend and the events.
“As for the people from out of town, they loved it and are happy with it,” he said.
Segura said many people —buyers and sellers — keep coming to the sale which is solidifying the second weekend in February.
“We just keep growing and are getting better,” he said.
REPORT
170 All Breeds Bulls Average, $6,881
144 Angus Average, $6,984
10 Charolais Average, $8,125
7 Sim-Angus Average, $4,850
7 Hereford Average, $5,471
TOPS
• Lot 91, Sired by Basin Jameson 1076. $17,500
Consigned by Diablo Valley Angus
Buyer: Hart Cattle, Frederick, South Dakota
• Lot 156, Sired by FTJ Silver Bullet 2258. $16,500
Buyer: Select Sires, Amherst, Nebraska
Consigned by Fred Jorgenson Charolais
• Lot 223, Sired by Sitz Resilient 10208. $10,500
Buyer: Kyle Wemple, Susanville, California
Consigned by Gem State Angus
• Lot 15, Sired by SG Salvation. $10,000
Buyer: Bill Ariola, Angels Camp, California
Consigned by Dixie Valley Angus
• Lot 29, Sired by SF Father. $10,000
• Buyer: Alta Genetics, Balzac, Alberta, Canada
Consigned by Dixie Valley Angus