I always go through the catalog before a sale and see what I totally rule out. Numbers are fudged, as the conformation of the bull is what sells him as far as I am concerned. But, if he has some real bad numbers, I can walk away. I want his birthweight close to the 75-80 or a little lower marker if I can get it. If his Weaning weights and Yearling weights are so so low, I would pass. Today, it says Angus WW averages for current sires is 63. YW is 110. I want those numbers or higher. Such as Angus, I do mark high the numbers.
Check the registrations at the Associations before the sale to make sure of the actual numbers. And I look for a good Marb and Ribeye although I have yet had them to pay me for that when it goes across the scale. But if you are looking into freezer beef sales, it may make a difference. Then when I have all my animals circled, I walk the bulls and I will see some out there that I did not circle, and I start going back over the catalog. Some will be outstanding, and why did I not mark him?? Some you marked, you would not let it loose on your worst cow. Some have major defects. It is a lot of fun.
I love a bull sale because it is such a ritual to me. So many bulls so close to the same, but you never know how the prices will run and you have to be ready for those that you don't want to pay 10 prices for. So you have to choose alternatives. Then some of the alternatives are sold before the ones you feel will cost an arm and a leg. So, I get a bit nervous when the auction starts.
Check the registrations at the Associations before the sale to make sure of the actual numbers. And I look for a good Marb and Ribeye although I have yet had them to pay me for that when it goes across the scale. But if you are looking into freezer beef sales, it may make a difference. Then when I have all my animals circled, I walk the bulls and I will see some out there that I did not circle, and I start going back over the catalog. Some will be outstanding, and why did I not mark him?? Some you marked, you would not let it loose on your worst cow. Some have major defects. It is a lot of fun.
I love a bull sale because it is such a ritual to me. So many bulls so close to the same, but you never know how the prices will run and you have to be ready for those that you don't want to pay 10 prices for. So you have to choose alternatives. Then some of the alternatives are sold before the ones you feel will cost an arm and a leg. So, I get a bit nervous when the auction starts.