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Agriculture

A Memorable Day at the Livestock Auction Barn with Neighbors

2024-11-26

It had been an extended period since I had the opportunity to witness a livestock auction up close. I was delighted to discover that despite the passage of time, many aspects of sale barns remained unchanged.

Rediscovering the Charm of Livestock Auctions

My Connection with Livestock

My wife and I have been raising a few Jersey steers. Traditionally, we would sell them as halves and quarters of hanging beef to our loved ones. However, this fall, for reasons I can't quite put my finger on, I lacked the motivation to go through the usual process. Perhaps my recent cancer treatment had something to do with it. Regardless, our four steers had grown significantly and were thriving on our grain.

Sharing this dilemma with our neighbors led to a surprising offer. They assured us that they could transport our steers to the nearest livestock auction barn.

I was understandably hesitant but was quickly put at ease. Their willingness to help was truly remarkable.

The Day of the Auction

On the appointed day, I locked the selected quartet of Jerseys in our barn. Neighbor Paul arrived promptly with his pickup and a stock trailer that seemed as large as a mobile home. There was more than enough space for our steers.

Paul demonstrated remarkable precision as he backed up to our barn door. His skill was on par with docking two orbiting spacecraft. I, on the other hand, would have taken several attempts to achieve even half of his accuracy.

The steers walked into the stock trailer with an air of nonchalance, as if it were a daily routine for them. Paul and I then set off for the auction barn.

Arriving at the Auction Market

Upon reaching Pipestone Livestock Auction Market, we had to wait in a long line of pickups and stock trailers. But this wasn't a bad thing as Paul and I found plenty to talk about to pass the time.

When our turn came, Paul backed up to the unloading chute with an astonishing level of precision. It was as if he could measure it in hundredths of an inch. If I had been in charge, I would have surely embarrassed myself in front of the other drivers.

The Auction Experience

The steers unloaded themselves with the same nonchalance as seasoned veterans. Paul and I decided to stay and watch how they would sell. We parked the trailer and entered the auction barn.

The inside of the sale barn had a distinct smell that brought back memories. It was a combination of wood chips and fresh cattle manure. With some time to spare, we made our way to the cafeteria and I treated us to lunch.

The special that day was their hot beef commercial. It was simple comfort food at its best - two slices of whole wheat bread filled with fork-tender roast beef, topped with a scoop of mashed potatoes and smothered in rich, brown gravy. We both ordered the special and dug in. I was pleasantly surprised to finish the entire entree, which was a small victory for me as I had been struggling with my appetite due to my recovery.

Watching the Auction

Just as we finished eating, the auction was about to begin. Paul and I found seats in the bleachers and watched the parade of cattle making their way through the sale ring.

We had a bit of fun guessing the weight of the cattle. Paul was quite accurate, but I was always off by at least 100 pounds compared to their actual weights. It was a testament to his experience raising beef cattle while I was more accustomed to dealing with little Jerseys.

When a dozen fattened Holstein steers were brought into the ring, they seemed enormous compared to our Jerseys. It was a sight to behold.

The Sale of Our Steers

I had a specific price in mind for our steers, but so did the cattle buyers. In the end, we likely reached a middle ground, which is the essence of a successful compromise.

I picked up the cattle check and we made our way home. The day had been a truly pleasant experience.

The only thing that could have made it better would be enjoying another serving of that delicious hot beef sandwich.

Jerry's book, "Dear County Agent Guy" can be found at www.workman.com and in bookstores nationwide.

At 4:33 p.m. CT, March corn ended the day down 2¼¢ at $4.33 per bushel. This downward trend continued as in the morning, with March corn down 2¼¢ again. January soybeans closed up 2¼¢ at $9.85¾ per bushel, showing an upward movement. However, March wheat contracts faced a different fate, closing lower. CBOT wheat was down 9¢ at $5.55¾ per bushel, KC wheat was down 8½¢ at $5.57 per bushel, and Minneapolis wheat was down 5¢ at $5.96½ per bushel.

The Impact of Neighboring Markets and Crude Oil

The Grain Market Insider newsletter by Stewart-Peterson Inc. pointed out that lower trade in the neighboring wheat markets and sharply lower crude oil kept sellers engaged in the corn market. As a result, corn closed near the low end of the day’s range and lower for the third consecutive [trading] day. On the other hand, a drier forecast in Brazil and higher soybean meal lent support to the soybean market. Although it closed off session highs, it still ended higher for the second [trading] day in a row. Sharp declines in MATIF wheat, coupled with minimal news and much-needed rainfall in the Black Sea region, pressured the wheat complex lower. However, prices partially recovered to settle well off session lows.

Live Cattle and Feeder Cattle Market

February live cattle closed down 50¢ at $187.70 per hundredweight (cwt), while January feeder cattle were up $1.18 at $255.48 per cwt. In contrast, February lean hogs were up 25¢ at $85.93 per cwt. These fluctuations in the live cattle and feeder cattle markets show the dynamic nature of the agricultural sector.

Crude Oil and Stock Market Movements

January crude oil closed down $2.30. However, December S&P 500 futures and Dow futures closed up 20 points and 431 points, respectively. This shows the complex relationship between different markets. The U.S. Dollar Index December contract was down to 106.71, which also had an impact on various markets.

USDA Announcement and Market Reactions

This morning, USDA announced that Mexico is buying 454,090 metric tons of corn — 364,792 metric tons for the 2024/2025 marketing year and 89,298 metric tons for the 2025/2026 marketing year. This announcement had an impact on the corn market. March corn is down 2¼¢ this morning, while CBOT wheat is down 8¢ and KC wheat is down 7¾¢. Minneapolis wheat is down 4½¢. The market reacted to this news, showing the importance of such announcements in shaping market trends.

Have you ever found yourself pondering over the true implications of tire variations? Wondering which features truly suit your specific operational needs? Dive in as we explore the fascinating world of tires!

Uncover the Secrets of Tire Construction

Bias vs. Radial

According to Greg Gilland, Business Development and Ag Segment Manager for Maxam Tire International, the fundamental disparity between bias and radial construction lies in the tire carcass and the material composition. Radial tires employ a single radial casing as a spring, pushing the working belts onto the working surface. This leads to a uniform contact patch for the tire tread, enabling it to provide the necessary traction and friction to carry the load in any direction while in operation. Although bias tires still hold their value, Gilland emphasizes that most agricultural and construction equipment now comes equipped with radial tires due to their enhanced footprint and traction capabilities, along with their ability to reduce soil compaction and extend service life.In contrast, bias tires have their own niche applications. They offer certain characteristics that may be more suitable for specific tasks or terrains. However, in general, the shift towards radial tires reflects the continuous evolution and improvement in tire technology to meet the diverse demands of modern equipment.

Nylon vs. Polyester Fabric

In the past, cotton was the predominant fabric used in tire carcasses. But today, manufacturers prefer synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester. Nylon is stronger and more resilient, requiring fewer plies to achieve the same strength as cotton. This makes it an ideal choice for most bias belted agricultural tires as it bonds well with rubber and provides excellent durability.Polyester, on the other hand, is mainly used for rigidity and stability due to its lower rate of shrinkage. Paulk pointed out that polyester does not flat spot in the cold like nylon, which is a significant advantage in certain operating conditions. Both nylon and polyester play crucial roles in ag tire manufacturing, and it's not just a matter of preference but rather finding the right balance based on the specific requirements of the application and the quality of tires produced.For example, in some cases, the rigidity and stability offered by polyester may be more beneficial, while in others, the superior strength and bonding properties of nylon might be the key factor.

All-Steel vs. Steel Belt

All-steel casings feature a steel belt running from bead to bead in a radial design, replacing the fabric belt. Steel belted tires, on the other hand, have a fabric layer with a steel belt (or multiple steel belts) overlaying the tread area.Paulk explained that all-steel casings are easier to repair sidewall cuts and punctures as the steel does not shrink or stretch, ensuring consistent sizing. Steel belts provide a flatter footprint, reducing rolling resistance and enhancing traction, even wear, and handling. This leads to longer tire life and improved performance.When it comes to choosing between all-steel and steel belted tires, it ultimately depends on matching the tire to the specific work the equipment will be performing. David Graden, Operational Market Manager – Agriculture for Michelin Ag, recommends a checklist of features based on the work environment. For instance, skid steer work on concrete might require an all-steel tire to withstand the harsh conditions, while a telehandler working in hay might need a tire with puncture resistance provided by a steel belt.Each type of tire has its own set of advantages and is designed to meet the unique demands of different applications. By understanding these differences, equipment operators can make more informed decisions and select the most suitable tires for their specific tasks, ultimately maximizing performance and minimizing downtime.