Friday, March 28, 1997

Tomorrow's West Texas Brangus sale is beefed up with quality

The rains have been wonderful, many stock tanks are full, and the pastures are greening up - and the cattle market is strong.

This has set the perfect stage for the West Texas Brangus Breeders Association (WTBBA) Bull Sale beginning at high noon Saturday at Abilene Livestock Auction, just off Northeast Interstate 20. What a superb offering of Brangus cattle - both bulls and females.

Tommy Milliorn of Abilene reports that about 60 top notch Brangus bulls have been consigned for this sale. These are tested, registered bulls from some of the better Brangus operations in Texas.

In addition, some 50 registered black Brangus females also will be in the sale offering.

If you also are looking for an animal for a youngster to raise and show, the show division of the sale will feature 10 show heifer prospects. These are some spiffy animals, geared to toward today's modern beef industry.

Besides all the registered Brangus cattle, there will be a big offering of between 300 to 500 commercial cattle with bred females, open females, and cow- calf pairs going through the sale ring. Doak Lambert will auctioneer.

Jack Luther of Abilene is WTBBA sale chairman and can be reached at (915) 698-2301 for more information on these cattle.

Luther notes that if a Texas junior exhibitor purchases a heifer at the Saturday sale, they can return and show the animal at the West Texas Fair in Abilene this fall. Extra premium money is earned if the animal wins its class or is an overall winner. The WTBBA provides a total additional premium of $500 for the show.

John and Debbie Maurer of Bryan are serving as sale managers. Their phone is (409) 589-2912. Many of you know John from his many years of judging livestock shows here at the West Texas Fair.

Randy McCrea, president of the WTBBA who ranches south of Sweetwater, also has more information at (915) 378-2034.

Or, you can just drive out to the Abilene Livestock Auction barn on the eve of the sale Friday and inspect the cattle for yourself. All of the Brangus cattle will be in place throughout today for viewing. And there's a chili and stew supper at 6 p.m. today in the upstairs level of the barn. Trudy Fair, who was featured at the stock show in Fort Worth, will entertain this evening.

The sale day phone on Saturday will be (915) 673-7865 at the auction barn. You can also call that number today to inquire about the Brangus cattle.

Lunch will precede the sale. There will be a drawing for three $100 certificates applied to the sale cost of any registered animal in the sale.

The cattle market has been on the increase every week for more than two months now. Under a strong cycle, it is predicted to grow even stronger in 1998, 1999 and year 2000. This may be your best chance for a long time to get such top notch Brangus cattle.

Stamford had great sale

A clear example of the strength of the current cattle market was the Special Female and Bull Sale the past Saturday at Stamford Farmers and Ranchers Livestock Auction.

Andy Holloway reports that 100 cow-calf pairs sold in the range of $710 to $980 per pair to average $860 per pair. Some 123 long-bred females sold from $700 to $910 per head to average $810. Twelve medium bred females went from $600 to $860 and averaged $765 per head.

Meanwhile, 14 short bred females brought $500 to $610 per head for an average of $535. There were 108 exposed heifers selling from $485 to $625 for an average of $525. Some 538 open heifers brought $430 to $690 to pencil out to a $560 average.

Finally, some 83 bulls sold in a range from $600 to $1,950 and averaged $965. Kenneth Clampitt of Denton served as auctioneer.

By the way, Stamford Farmers and Ranchers will host a special horse sale at 1 p.m. April 5 with all kinds of horses. A tack sale at 10 a.m. will precede the horse auction there. For more, you can call Andy at (915) 773-3700.