SALE REPORT
SPITZER RANCH BRANGUS BULL SALE HELD FEBRUARY 23

February 23, 2008
Martin and Martin Cattle Company Sale Facility
Williamston, S.C.

Sale Reported by the
Spitzer Family

The two-year drought throughout much of the Southeast may have been a topic of conversation, but the enthusiasm for the genetics offered by the folks at Spitzer Ranch overwhelmed any negative thoughts. The Spitzers and their cooperators continue to set the mark for the performance kind of muscular, high volume Brangus bulls in demand by the cattle industry. Twenty of this year's offering were designated “Calving Ease” bulls and the entire group averaged a BW EPD of only 1.0 pound. Combine that with a YW EPD averaging a mighty 53.0 pounds and Ultrasound Scans averaging 12.7 sq. in. of REA and a 3.8 percent IMF with a minimal 0.26 in. of outside FAT cover and it's not hard to see why this program has become pretty popular. “These bulls deliver calves that come easy, grow fast and will grade and yield better than anything else we have tried” was an oft repeated comment from past customers showing up to buy more bulls.

Salacoa Valley Farms of Fairmount, Ga. added SR Wrangler Warrior T113 to their impressive Registered Brangus herd bull battery with the final bid of $7750 for one-half interest to make T113 the high-seller. This powerful young prospect is sired by Aces TF Wrangler 145/8 who shows up four times on the Brangus Trait Leader List and out of a daughter of Cadence of Brinks 535D3 who also shows up as a repeat performer on the Brangus Trait leader List. Standing with a Frame Score of 5.8 while ranking in the top 20 percent of the Non-Parent Brangus bulls for both WW and YW EPDS caught the attention of the whole crowd. The maternal strength of T113 was evident in his top three percent ranking for Total Maternal EPD and top four percent ranking for Milk EPD. Carcass mathematics indicated a 13.01 sq. in. REA and 3.35 percent IMF at only .21 in. of rind FAT. SR Wrangler Warrior T113 was a long striding, deep sided, muscular bull who pretty well did it all in very attractive style.

Water Point Cattle Company owned by Joey Tart, Dunn, N.C. is a first time Partners for Quality Cooperator with Spitzer Ranch and only had one bull consigned to the 2008 sale. Tart may be new, but he does his homework and had the lead when the gavel dropped on the second high selling bull, Wooten Farms Big Daddy T705, at $7,250 for one-half interest. Being sired by the popular Burtin's Transformer 803G3 and having Brinks Easy Street 30D37 and Cadence of Brinks 535D3 as maternal grand sire and maternal great grand sire, respectively sure adds credibility to your family tree. A powerful growth package, T705 ranks in the top 15 percent for WW EPD and top four percent for YW EPD compared to all Non-parent Brangus bulls. This bull exhibited an almost impeccable phenotype and had the highest 365-day adjusted yearling weight of any bull offered. Having Ultrasound Scans of a 12.7 sq. in. REA and 4.04 percent IMF at 0.35 in. of FAT cover only added to the package.

The forty four Brangus bulls averaged $2073. Bulls sold to South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia with many time repeat customers Choestoea Farms, Jack and Reid Arnold, Westminster, S.C. and Earl Thrailkill, Fort Lawn, S.C. each taking home three bulls as the volume buyers. As always, the Spitzer's take pride in the large number of bulls that find their way into the commercial cattle industry; and especially that the vast majority of these bulls go home with repeat customers.

Providing a service to buyers, and a marketing avenue to Spitzer Ranch bull customers, is the Commercial Brangus Customer Female sale held following the bull sale. All females offered in this event are sired by Spitzer Ranch bulls. Fifty five open yearling heifers were on hand for this year's sale and sold for an average of $830. Long time repeat customer Ben Cooper, Cooper Plantation, Sophia, N.C. continued his ways from last year as he again took home the high selling pen of two heifers at $975 each. But, not to be outdone, Joe Davis, Westminster, S.C., himself a repeat bull and female customer, also bid $975 each to own a fancy pen of three heifers. Volume female buyers were Joe Davis and Joey Tart, Dunn, N.C. who each bought 10 heifers.

The Spitzers publish Fall, Winter and Spring Newsletters as well as the catalog for their annual sale held the last Saturday in February each year. To be added to their mailing list, call 864/972-9140 or e-mail spitzeranch@ mindspring.com.

Auctioneer: Tommy Barnes, Gallion, Ala.

Sale Manager: Spitzer Ranch, Fair Play, S.C.

Marketing Consultant: John Maurer, Bryan, Texas.