Leaving the Tehama District Fairgrounds just one year ago, no one would have been able to foretell the events and decisions our country and globe would face over the next 12 months. It seemed every event that a potential crowd would gather at was being cancelled—and still is! However, if the Red Bluff events will tell us anything, it’s that if there’s a will, there’s a way.
The Red Bluff committees and newly hired Manager, Amanda Bradshaw, were tasked at finding a way to maintain the tradition of a Western gathering, but in a new world of social distancing, masks, regulations, and oversight. They built a health code plan and presented it to the overseeing health board on several occasions and built a plan that satisfied the regulations that were current in California’s turbulent political scene. Months of preparation beyond the normal amount of huge preparation went into this year’s events, and its payoff was a wildly successful week.
By all means, the COVID-19 situation was treated very seriously and respected from every angle. Every attempt was made to make people feel safe and able to practice social distancing at all times. Many of the spectators, exhibitors, and staff wore masks throughout the week at events and people were always in contact with hand-sanitizing stations. This virus was taken very seriously and those in attendance felt safe at all times.
While the planning for the week of Red Bluff was underway, the agriculture industry had grave concerns beyond the virus. Going into the fall season, very little rain had fallen on the West Coast. California and Oregon, where the majority of the Red Bluff consignors and buyers come from, are experiencing a major drought. The week leading into Red Bluff witnessed a massive storm system that pummeled the entire state of California and into southern Oregon. Although travel conditions weren’t great, with road closures and difficulties, no one complained of the moisture that fell. This alone created a lot of positive vibes throughout the week. Calling it a godsend isn’t an exaggeration.
Some changes to the schedule were necessary to eliminate in order to maintain the overall event, including two social dinners and the finale bull riding event, but otherwise the traditional Red Bluff Stock, Gelding, and Bull Sale went underway. State health regulations only allowed essential business to be conducted, so extracurricular activities were those that were cut from the schedule. We are blessed to be in agriculture and to still be revered as essential, or Red Bluff would not have happened this year.
[inline_image file=”7be05a3cc308adc413a5530387082e74.jpg” caption=”Exhibitors at the Red Bluff Gelding Sale have the opportunity to show their geldings in many different areas as shown here. Exhibitors can compete in Stock Horse, Heading, Heeling, Cowhorse, Cutting, Snaffle Bit, and can be selected as a finalist for the overall conformation champion.”]
The committee and Mrs. Bradshaw deserve unapologetic applause and gratitude. Buyers, consignors, and spectators alike were more than spirited to return to Red Bluff for the week’s events. There was, without exaggeration, unanimous thanks from everyone attending. The week of Red Bluff’s sales have a huge impact financially. To start, the week of Red Bluff is a huge boost to the local Northern California economy. Beyond the livelihoods of ranchers, horse and dog trainers, trade show exhibitors, equipment dealers, the local economy was in desperate need for the attendees to conduct business.
It was noted that many local restaurants reached out at the conclusion of the events and thanked the Red Bluff committees for continuing on. One restaurant in particular said the business during the week was the difference between closing and staying open. The amount of business in the local economy will take a while to calculate, but the Stock Dog, Gelding, and Bull Sales alone conducted nearly $2.2 million of gross sales.
The schedule was filled with events that allowed all walks of life to be entertained. The week of sales started with Western Video Marketing hosting their annual feeder calf sale with the special bred female section at the end. The sale was a huge success and cattle from all classes sold extremely well. The female sale included bred cows, pairs, and replacement heifers that sold extremely well, and this sale has built a reputation of outstanding consignments. The sale didn’t have an enormous offering, but offered cattle in nearly every class.
As per current market conditions, cattle with added value programs sold well into premium levels, and some showed nearly $15/cwt advantage over cattle of the same class without programs added on. The bred females sold very well with pairs bringing $2,225 and most of the bred cows and heifers nearing $1,700/head. Overall it was a very successful day.
The range bull show was held on Tuesday Jan. 26, with the halter bull show following on Wednesday. In all, 282 made it through the sifting and grading process and went through the sale ring for an average price of $4,585.71. The overall average was as good as we’ve seen in its 80-year history and the Bull Sale was a major success.
The bulls were a very even set overall, and quality ran through to the very last bulls. In this business, names have as much brand value as any business out there, but this year’s consignors had many new and younger names involved. Their acceptance to the marketplace went very well and many are enthusiastic towards the future of the seedstock business.
The Stock Dog Sale was, as always, a major hit. Seventeen dogs were entered and for the first time in Red Bluff’s history, no dog was sifted. Much like the bulls this year, this was an outstanding group of dogs from the top to the bottom. The top three dogs were separated by four total points to declare the champion—all of which were females this year. The sale was very well attended and the dogs all sold very well.
[inline_image file=”ff6afb6f03763094c27f2e2d75166313.jpg” caption=”BC Millie, shown by Trent Johnson, waits patiently along with other stock dogs and their families for her time to trial during the Red Bluff Bulls. Millie went on to place 4th overall and sold for $10,500. Photo by Crystal Amen Photography.”]
The Gelding Sale consignments were a very steady and even set of horses which sold extremely well. This event was the one that felt the brunt of uncertain times. Many consignors weren’t sure if the sale was going to go on and took horses to other sales, sold them privately, or felt behind in preparation for the sifting and selling. Normally, there will be between 70-90 horses, but this year saw 36 geldings and six 2-year-olds go through the ring. The sale was extremely successful and saw the geldings average over $19,007 per horse and the six 2-year-olds average $12,750.
The week of Red Bluff should go down as one of the most successful in its storied history. Not due to the gross sales, but simply due to the fact that it had every reason to fail, or not even happen at all, but with the dedication of those organizing coupled with the support from consignors, buyers, and attendees, this was a major success. All those involved deserve huge recognition for their efforts. A huge token of appreciation from those of us at the Western Livestock Journal to the Red Bluff committees is well deserved. — Logan Ipsen, WLJ fieldman
