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2010: Freezing

Granny's Goodies

This is one of the first years that my parents have been around during our annual sale. They actually live here on the same farm in the house that I was born and raised in. They have a lot of fun sitting out on their porch watching the folks drive in to look at calves. My mom, however, has taken some delight in keeping all of us filled up with goodies. She has been shameless and Betty Crocker would be jealous! It's killing me and I am pretty sure that NONE of my jeans fit anymore. Jade cleaned out a pan of pumpkin bars the other day and said, " Tell Granny to set us up on some sweets!". I guess she took it to heart because we are on our third set of goodies...or is that fourth? Oh ugh, I am miserable! I truly love having them here and I am sure that they are enjoying the entertainment as well. THANKS MOM!!!

What's he worth?

I think that one of the most often asked questions during this sale is "What is he worth?", or "How high do you think that one's going to go?" These question apply to the one's starting at $800 as well as the ones that have climbed to $3000. We have families come in looking for a calf that will be competitive on a national level as well as families looking for something that will be competitive on a county level. Sometimes it is tough to answer.

My first response is normally, "What is your goal and what are you willing to spend on achieving that goal?". The answer is different for everyone and in a lot of cases you have to keep in mind that if you fall in love with a calf that you see in the pasture, you have to know what it is worth to you.

For example, have you been watching Lot #90? Obviously there is something about that "puppy" that has caught the heart of several bidders. When you find the one you really want you have to stick with it if it is within your means. I have never walked away happy from an auc tion when I was in second place. I think that is buyers remorse in reverse.

One thing about this auction is that you should be able to find the calf for your needs as well as your means. We have all kinds for every type of show. Another thing is that when you have bidders from over 24 states looking at them and bidding on them, you will have a good idea of what they are actually worth in the real world. So when people ask me what I think they are worth I usually tell them that we will ALL know after Labor Day.

After Labor Day I will be able to point out to my husband that our Lot #90 is OBVIOUSLY worth a LOT more than what he keeps saying he's worth. Sometimes it is best to let the people speak. They know a good one when they see him!

ADVICE FOR THE DAY:

BID HIGH AND BID OFTEN!

HAPPY BIDDING!

Oreo cookies and milk

Well, it was a great day in paradise yesterday. The morning was crisp and cool and I think even the calves were moving a little slow. Once they heard the Kubota fire up for breakfast they were all standing at the fence begging for chow. Ryan and Jade got started early on calves. The cool weather is making hair grow like crazy and they have been working their tails off trying to get through the calves and reclip. They don't have too many left so the rinsing and blowing process should go a little faster from now on.

The traffic started out slow but picked up to a steady stream right after lunch. Brad tossed some burgers on the grill and it seems like everyone must have smelled them because that's when they started rolling in.

The bidding is active and several of the calves have really taken off. It's always fun to see the different bidding styles. Some people will wait until the very last minute on Labor Day to place a bid. Others will see what they like and bid immediately. With our on-line bidding option everyone can keep in touch with where the calves are in the bidding. I have to appreciate the people that find that calf that they want and bid right away. If they have another bidder on that calf they have many "bidding wars" pop up. It's a good strategy I think because if you know what you are willing to spend on a calf you can find out early in the game if you are going to have a shot at her. If the opposing bidder drops out early then you may have a better idea that you are going to be able to stay on the calf with whom you initially fell in love. Some bidders will look at every calf in the state, pick their favorites and then bid on them accordingly at the last minute. I guess it's kind of like eating an oreo cookie. Some of us nibble off the top cookie and eat the filling, others like to dip them in milk or sprinkle them on ice cream...and most of us like to just stuff them in and devour them. I don't think there is a wrong way or a right way as long as you get the cookie. To each his own.

Never miss an opportunity

I know some of you who know me realize that I have a bit of a strange...perhaps twisted...sense of humor. If you are reading my blog you have probably looked at the on-line auction. Well, with those two things in mind I guess you know that I am having some fun with lot #90. If you don't know what I am talking about you probably haven't looked at ALL of the lots online. BAD BLOGGER, NO COOKIE FOR YOU!!!

If you don't know me yet or understand my sense of humor you may think that I have lost my mind or that one of my consignors has some SERIOUSLY ugly cattle! At any rate I thought you would enjoy the fun. Actually, I was hoping that I could get my citified extended family involved in what goes on out in West Central Iowa during Labor Day. They are going to learn what being an online bidder is all about.

When the work gets overwhelming you have to find something to make you remember the fun of having a sense of humor. NOW LET'S GET BIDDING!!

Waitin' on the "stuff"

No matter how well we plan our lives nothing ever seems to go the way you would like. In a perfect world...well, as of 4:10 P.M. today I just couldn't find that world. I am finding that being responsible for the care and marketing of the livelihood of over a dozen consignors can be a huge weight to carry at times. I have run everything as if it were my own; doing everything above and beyond the job. So far things have gone very well and I am very happy with how things are progressing and how great the calves are looking. The bunkhouse is open and ready for business. We are equipped with computer/web connections so we can use the online bidding and website. We have current bids listed on boards for all of our visitors to see, cattle are all feeling good and are getting rinsed and re-clipped in the "cowboy spa" , traffic and bidding is rolling, calves are sorted and ready to go, pictures and video have been taken and are up on the internet...well almost. O.K., so NOT perfect, but they will be VERY VERY SOON!! The editor had a little tornado issue. Sorry Texas folks...we'd send you some of this weather if we could...not a perfect world!

I hadn't heard from one of my consignors for a while and I was getting really restless about it. I like to keep in touch with my consignors but I don't like to be a pest so I hadn't flipped open the phone lately. I guess I should have. I was very heartbroken to hear this morning that Jeff and Toni Scott had a new baby boy and that het is in intensive care. I am so happy to hear about their new arrival and I am going to be sending my best for his speedy recovery! Welcome to Club Calf Paradise Jacob Jeff Scott!!! New babies...sometimes the world is a little closer to perfect.

Sortin' and blowin'...it's all good

Well the rains have ceased and the sun is shining. The calves look like mud balls but the guys are busy rinsing and blowing. We are hoping to get the heifers and steers sorted tonight and have everything up to shape by friday. We are still waiting on the last of the pictures and video but I am sure they will be finished by the weekend.