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facility, in this case the Culpeper Agricultural Enterprises Center.
A typical sale will have from 1,000 to 2,000 calves, with weights between 300 and 700 pounds. Usually, feeder calves are bought between 430 and 500 lbs. Buyers can examine them in the pens, where they have the benefit of knowing their grade; again in the ring, where they are shown for auction.
Each prospective buyer gets a copy of the sale order, with the pen number, lot number, grade, average weight and total weight.
Calves are sold by auction, with the highest bidder getting the whole lot. Bids are made for price per pound, and the auctioneer’s helper takes bids by phone.
“This shows a certain amount of confidence in the state grading system,” Owings said. “People are willing to buy animals of certain grade, sight iinseen.” Sellers at the auction seemed well-satisfied with their prices. Once animals are in the ring and being bid, an owner cannot take them back if the price is too low.
Generally, though, the prices at the state-graded sales are good. Seated next to Owings was a representative from a commercial livestock sales market. “I can’t buy any of these,” he said. "These prices are higher than 1 can sell them for.” "Sometimes the difference is only a cent or two,” said Owings. “But it’s well worth k for the 'small farmer.” To the buyer, _who gets efficient service and state-graded animals, to the small feeder calves, the state-graded sales offer encouragement in the continuing struggle for fair treatment in the market place.
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