SALE REPORT
YON FAMILY FARMS FALL SALE HELD NOVEMBER 1

November 1, 2008
Ridge Spring, S.C.

A beautiful fall day was the setting for the 5th Yon Fall Angus Female and Bull Sale in Ridge Spring, S.C. on November 1, 2008. The Yons were humbled that a record crowd was on hand in a year that will be remembered for turmoil in the economy, high input costs for farmers, drought, and political transition. But cattle people remain solid and their confidence in the cattle was evident throughout the sale, despite these challenging times. Females sold first, with strong interest in the Lot 1 offering from the Yon Sarah family. The Yon Sarah family is known for extremely high carcass EPD's, super growth numbers, and stellar production records. The top seller from the Sarah family was a GAR Predestined fall 2008 open heifer, Lot 1C, who sold to John Wessell, Garber, Iowa, for $3,500. Following close behind was Lot 1D, another fall 2008 open heifer, by Mytty in Focus, to Lemmon Cattle Enterprises, Woodbury, Ga., for $3,000

The top selling bred heifers ranging from $2,400 to $2,600 were sold to Chris Lawson in Ewing, Va.; Cecil Eaddy in Manning, S.C.; and T & R Farms in Hartwell, Ga. The top bred cow was Lot 27 and sold to Brian Lardiere from Abbeville, S.C. for $2,700. Top Fall Pair went to Tracy Eavenson, Carnesville, Ga., for $3,200 and she was Lot 22, who was a New Design 878 female with a September heifer calf by SAV Net Worth at side. The top Spring Pairs were both sold at $5,100. Lot 44 cow sold to Tracy Eavenson for $3,400 and was a donor cow in the Yon program by New Design 878. Her Spring 2008 heifer calf by Yon Legend S107 sold for $1,700 and was the selection of Robert Baker of Lancaster, S.C. The Lot 45 cow by Tehama Bando 155 from the Hazel family was the choice of Brian Lardiere at $2,700, while her popular spring heifer calf by Predestined sold to MM Cattle, Bowdon, Ga., for $2,400. Demand for all the groups of females from open heifers to pairs was solid, with the 87 female lots averaging $2,151.

Next the bull buyers gathered around to bid on the 78 forage developed coming 2-year-olds- 72 Angus Bulls and six composites. The top selling bull was Lot 22 at $5,500 and he was selected by Lovett Farms, Cuthbert, Ga.. He was a son of Woodhill Foresight with a tremendous birth to yearling EPD spread. The 2nd and 3rd high sellers were eye-appealing sons of Morgan's Direction that were packed with muscle. Lot 95 sold to Sugar Hill Farms in Yatesville, Ga., for $5,250 and Lot 96 sold to Shady Hill Farm in Ridge Spring, S.C. for $4,500. Longtime customers, Parker Brothers, from Monroe, N.C. selected Lot 98 by Yon Southern Rock for $4,500 as well. Two other Angus bulls, Lot 93 and 124, sold for $4,000 and went home with the Lovetts, and to Sugar Hill Farm, previously mentioned. The top composite was a Sim Angus, Lot 172, who sold for $4,000 to JC McDonald in Blackstock, S.C. He was a favorite in the pens and was definitely the performance leader of the pack, as well as being easy to look at. Demand for the 72 Angus bulls was strong with the final average at $2,168. Two SimAngus bulls averaged $3,450, and three Balancers averaged $1,350. Well over half of the bull buyers were repeat customers.

The entire auction was broadcast live on the internet by DV Auctions, allowing folks from far and wide to bid and view the auction. A few lots were sold over the internet, but most buyers were local progressive cattlemen residing in South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina. Cattle sold into seven states which also included, Iowa, Virginia, West Virginia, and Tennessee. Buyers and visitors enjoyed a delicious beef stew lunch prepared and served up by the Yon's neighbors. The sale is truly a community event with many neighbors pitching in to extend some of the hospitality from the Ridge. Visitors also had the opportunity to take advantage of “Sale Specials” on hay rings, Tru-test Weigh systems, Powder River Equipment, and Fall Seeds. The next opportunity to purchase Yon bulls at auction will be on February 21, 2009, when they will host the 19th Annual February Bull Sale in Ridge Spring.