Tim Hearden
Mary Simmons of Great Basin Seed in Ephraim, Utah, talks with Casey Sever during the trade show at the Red Bluff Bull and Gelding Sale. Social interactions at the Red Bluff Bull and Gelding Sale provided a sense of relief from the isolation of recent months.
The Red Bluff Bull and Gelding Sale has always been a social gathering. The five-day extravaganza of livestock auctions, a trade show and other activities has long been a chance for people who’ve been coming for years to reconnect with friends they’ve made in the industry.
But this year, the mingling brought an extra sense of relief for the hundreds of buyers, consigners and livestock-related businesspeople who’ve been isolating since last March because of the coronavirus.
Buyers spend nearly $1.29 million, the highest since the $1.49 million generated in 2016.
Buyers’ spending on bulls at the 80
th Red Bluff Bull and Gelding Sale reached a five-year high, as they shelled out nearly $1.29 million for 282 bulls – an average of $4,585 per bull.
The total at the Jan. 30 auction was the highest since 2016, when bidders spent $1.49 million for 305 bulls. The average was the highest since 2015, when buyers spent an average of $6,554 per bull in what was a record year for prices.
This year’s top-priced bull was a champion Sim-Angus sold by Little Shasta Ranch to Rick and Linda Anderson of Eagle Point, Ore., for $16,500.
79-year-old Don Cardey has been selling top-priced Angus and other bulls in Red Bluff for decades. 79-year-old Don Cardey has been selling top-rated Angus and other bulls in Red Bluff for decades.
When it comes to the Red Bluff Bull and Gelding Sale’s rich history, Don Cardey has seen it all. Or at least, he’s seen most of it.
Cardey, 79, attended his first sale with his father in 1959. Over the decades, his Cardey Ranches in Turlock, Calif., has consistently sold the top-priced Angus and other bulls at the annual auction. And he’s seen lots of changes.
“In the old days there were all white-faced and horned bulls, no Angus,” Cardey told Farm Progress during the 80
Tim Hearden One of the West s few in-person agricultural events begins today and runs through Saturday.
Cattle, horse and dog buyers and consigners from throughout the West are converging on Northern California this week for the 80th annual Red Bluff Bull and Gelding Sale, which is being held in person with precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Nearly 400 bull entrants, between 70 and 75 geldings and 20 stock dogs will go through sifting, trials and auctions today through Saturday, Jan. 30. We re looking at a strong sale, bull sale manager Amanda Bradshaw said recently. “One thing we’ve noticed in the sales they have had, including a lot of these horse sales and private bull sales, is the prices have been phenomenal. I’m hoping for a good outcome for our consigners.