Posted: Monday, January 28, 2013 10:57 AM
Tim Hearden/Capital Press
Ranchers groom their bulls during the Red Bluff Bull and Gelding Sale, one of the West's largest livestock events. Bulls were sold on Jan. 26.
Red Bluff bull sale generates over $1.2 million
By TIM HEARDEN
Capital Press
RED BLUFF, Calif. -- The 72nd bull sale here Jan. 26 generated more than $1.2 million in total sales, marking the third straight year the event's sales had toppled the $1 million mark.
In all, 378 bulls were showcased in a packed Don Smith Pavilion at the Tehama District Fair grounds, averaging a price of $3,237 per bull.
The prices showed a continued easing from the previous two years, as last year's average bull price of $3,616 was slightly below the 2011 mark of $3,745.
The top price this year was $13,750 for Willows, Calif.-based Morrell Ranches' champion Hereford, M Maximum Return, purchased by Golden S Ranch in Dixon, Calif.
As sale manager Adam Owens had predicted, bulls went for a wide range of prices, with one selling for as low as $1,100.
"I'm optimistic that it will be favorable on the consigners' side," Owens said before the sale.
For some, it was. Three bulls netted five-figure returns, including the champion Angus that went for $11,500 and the champion shorthorn that sold for $10,000.
As a breed, Angus bulls were by far the biggest sellers, generating $670,000 in total sales. In all, 202 head brought an average of $3,319 per bull. Herefords were second in total sales at $217,650, as 60 head brought an average of $3,627.50.
The bull market capped five days of livestock showcases and auctions making up the Red Bluff Bull and Gelding Sale. Among the other sales:
* Geldings and mules auctioned off Jan. 25 generated $553,200 in combined sales, continuing an upward trend by topping last year's total of $511,400. In all, 88 head averaged $6,286. Glenn Barrett of Bonanza, Ore., bought the top-selling horse for $17,500.
* Fifteen working dogs brought a total of $64,650. The total fell short of last year's $75,750, though this year's average price of $4,310 per dog beat last year's $4,208. This year's top dog, HH Amazing Grace, sold to Larry Lanzon of Turlock, Calif., for $8,700.
* Feeders and replacement heifer lots sold in the fifth annual online auction on Jan. 24 went for as much as $199 per hundredweight for weaned steers and $172 per hundredweight for weaned heifers.
Online
Red Bluff Bull and Gelding Sale results: http://www.redbluffbullsale.com