80TH ANNUAL RED BLUFF BULL SALE
Jan. 30, Red Bluff, CA
9 Balancer bulls $6,222
25 SimAngus bulls 5,228
2 Maine-Anjou bulls 5,125
1 Simmental bull 5,000
21 Charolais bulls 4,714
151 Angus bulls 4,675
12 Red Angus bulls 4,304
46 Hereford bulls 3,887
1 Shorthorn bull 3,750
14 Polled Hereford bulls 3,728
Auctioneers: Rick Machado, Trent Stewart and Eric Duarte
Celebrating the milestone of 80 years of the Red Bluff Bull Sale, the committee went to great lengths to ensure the tradition stayed alive and well. They were met with gracious consignors for having accomplished what looked like an impossible feat under the current conditions. During the late summer months and early fall months, health officials weren’t keen on the idea of a large western gathering, but the committee and their manager achieved their goal.
The consignors rely on this cash flow for their operations, and the buyers depend on this event for their bull batteries, so the event is a crucial gathering for business to be conducted. In other words, this sale is very essential. Congrats to the Red Bluff organizers on accomplishing the goal and helping keep the tradition going in the fashion it has always been intended.
The sale itself was very positive in many aspects. In all, 20 more bulls sold this year than last for an average $88/head higher than last year. Remember, 2020’s sale saw an increase of $700 per bull, so to maintain the average under these circumstances was an enormous triumph.
The quality of the bulls was as consistent as any set over the past few decades and no year comes to mind comparing the top to the bottom, and across the breeds. These bulls were all very good and were sold at a quick pace throughout the day. This year, a Red Angus bull from Kool Breeze Cattle Co., Adin, CA, was crowned Supreme Champion and a Hereford bull from Barry Ranches, Madras, OR, followed with the Reserve Supreme honors.
[inline_image file=”2d923965d9f3b0b2c34a7b27fbd24347.jpg” caption=”Megan Banwarth of Kool Breeze Cattle Co., Adin, CA, showed the Supreme Champion Bull at the 80th Anniversary Bull Sale. The Red Angus Bull had previously been named Champion Red Angus Halter Bull.”]
The point to take away from this is how each breed shared in the top honors and wasn’t given to a few select breeds. This was truly an all-breeds sale, something that is becoming harder and harder to find.
Each bull is challenged throughout the week of being on their best. These bulls are handled from the start of the week until the sale and can be sifted at any time for any reason. To start the show, which happens on Tuesday, Feb. 26 with the range bull show, bulls are evaluated by a sifting committee for soundness, blemishes, health, condition, and overall appearance. If they don’t meet this committee’s standards, they aren’t given the chance to continue. From the sifting committee, these bulls are then evaluated by the grading committee and sorted on the visual qualities.
[inline_image file=”7978fc5d0fc60fb1e14ab5788b4cd579.jpg” caption=”Barry Ranches, Madras, OR, exhibited the Reserve Champion Bull, a horned Hereford bull who was previously named Champion Halter Hereford Bull. Shown by Charlie Woo, Madras, OR.”]
Bulls can be sifted at this stage as well. At the grading, each bull is given a grade and are sorted for their quality. Champions are selected for their respective divisions and the sale order starts to take shape. The following day, the halter bulls are evaluated just like the range bulls. These bulls are prepared for show and bulls compete in their classes for top honors. In all, when 282 bulls compete from the West’s best cattle breeders, being named a champion is an enormous honor. Congrats to all the consignors this year on making the 80th Anniversary event a huge success.
Bull Sifting Committee: Mac McGiffin, Red Bluff, CA; Matt Owens, Red Bluff, CA; and Walt Brown, Red Bluff, CA.
Bull Grading Committee: Mark Bidwell, Hat Creek, CA; John Flynn, Lakeview, OR; and Lane Russ, Ferndale, CA.
TOPS: LS Total Package G, 9/2/19 SimAngus by Brooks Pay Weight E361; from Little Shasta Ranch, Montague, CA, to Rick and Linda Anderson, Eagle Point, OR, $16,500. KD Renovator 2001, 10/4/19 Angus by Deer Valley Growth Fund; from Bar KD Ranch, Culver, OR, to 4-J Ranch, Waitsburg, WA, $16,000. K Bar D On Point 3H, 1/21/20 Angus by Stevenson Turning Point; from K Bar D Angus, Redmond, OR, to Karl and Karen Jernstedt, Coos Bay, OR, $13,000. JMA Magnum 0475-DLN, 9/29/19 Angus by Sitz Substantial 582D; from Jackson Mtn Angus, Winnemucca, NV, to Alan Shuffelberger, Redding, CA, $12,750. PK Rogue 19K32, 3/10/19 Hereford by PK Rogue 15K13; from Kudlac Herefords, Grants Pass, OR, to Alan Shufelberger, $11,000. Wulffs Black Granite 9207, 9/4/19 Angus by Connealy Black Granite; from Wulff Bros Livestock, Cheney, WA, to Alan Shuffelberger, $10,500. Wulffs Black Granite 9212, 9/1/19 Angus by Connealy Black Granite; from Wulff Bros Livestock, to Alan Shufelberger, $10,250. Rafter E Southern Charm 1942, 10/4/19 Angus by Bubs Southern Charm AA31; from Rafter E Angus, Ronan, MT, to Alan Shuffelberger, $10,000. BHR 579 Wasted Lad 6167 909, 1/15/19 Hereford by C 1311 5280 Lad 6167 ET; from Barry Ranches, Madras, OR, to Alan Shufelberger, $10,000. — LOGAN IPSEN
