[inline_image file=”eff70f9b012074ab1dded4b62405522e.jpg” caption=”Champion stock dog Bruce, who sold for $10,500.”]
It takes more than a week of competition to become a champion at Red Bluff. Months of preparation, training, feeding and care go into each and every consignment. Whether it’s a bull, a dog or a horse, each consignment must have planning and daily work put into it to reach the top. It’s an honor to consign a champion, and it’s a huge reward when they’re sold.
Red Bluff has taken on its own identity. It has survived many of our nation’s ups and downs, and most recently, it continued in the face of COVID-19 regulations and mandates. It has become more than a show and sale; it has become its own being.
When a person takes a step back and looks at the history of this event, it’s hard not to appreciate all the champions that have come through the rings. It’s often said that this year’s sale is what will determine next year’s sale. Unhappy customers and consignors don’t equal successive quality sales.
Year after year, by holding the standards so high, the Red Bluff committees ensure animal buyers receive the quality they are expecting. This mindset has created an atmosphere that keeps competition at an extremely high level.
This culture of competition is instilled in these consignors. Many of these consignors have been bringing animals to Red Bluff for years—some as many as 50 years! They understand what it takes to bring quality year in, year out. New consignors are pushed to bring their best, and the bar of competition continues to rise. It is exciting yet humbling to think about what the future holds for these events.
The markets for horses and dogs have continued to increase and drive quality consignments. These sales are pushing forward, and new records were set this year in each of the sales. However, we don’t see these records lasting long. In fact, the dog sale record of $30,000 was just set three years ago and has already been broken by $15,000.
The geldings are in such high demand, and these averages continue to drive higher and higher. The high-selling gelding was purchased for $59,000, but we don’t see that record lasting long at all. With sales across the country having geldings reach near $100,000, Red Bluff will soon be there itself.
The staple sale in the week of Red Bluff is the bull sale. For 81 years, this sale has been the pride of Northern California. This sale has evolved as market conditions have changed, but the fact remains that consistent quality from across the western U.S. comes to Red Bluff. Support from ranchers that gather to purchase bulls every year creates strong demand for top-quality bulls.
Educated sifters and graders uphold the standards so that only the best bulls sell. A bull must not waiver or falter throughout the week to make the sale. Beyond the sale, to be named a champion is an extremely hard thing to do. A bull must be sound, athletic, balanced and correct. Plus, he must look like what the markets want today.
When the final gavel fell, 290 bulls walked through the sale ring with an average price of $4,629. The demand stayed strong throughout the sale, and cattle were sold to multiple states across the West.
Below is a list of the champions that were selected at this year’s event. All those who consigned, not just these champions, deserve huge congratulations because every animal contributes to the overall success. Visit www.RedBluffBullSale.com to learn more about Red Bluff, watch videos and check for next year’s dates.
Champion halter bulls
• Supreme Champion and Champion SimAngus, exhibited by Broken M/Mayo Livestock, Live Oak, CA.
[inline_image file=”c5f04b9c7034aeed2920384dbbe768c7.jpg” caption=”Supreme Champion and Champion SimAngus, exhibited by Broken M and Mayo Livestock, Live Oak, CA.”]
• Reserve Supreme Champion and Champion Hereford, exhibited by Kudlac Herefords, Grants Pass, OR.
[inline_image file=”9cfb427eab29b572271edbb7b4013ab3.jpg” caption=”Reserve Supreme Champion and Champion Hereford, exhibited by Kudlac Herefords, Grants Pass, OR.”]
• Champion Angus, exhibited by Larry Imbach, Burns, OR, and Keith Pearce, Pasco, WA.
• Champion Charolais, exhibited by Rafter DN, Powell Butte, OR.
[inline_image file=”d99e816b81b93a147c913b702f9360eb.jpg” caption=”Champion Charolais, exhibited by Rafter DN, Powell Butte, OR.”]
• Champion Balancer, exhibited by Louie’s Cattle Services, Burns, OR.
• Champion Brangus, exhibited by Louie’s Cattle Services, Burns, OR.
• Champion Limousin, exhibited by Haugen Cattle Co., Hannaford, ND.
• Champion Polled Hereford, exhibited by Morrell Ranches, Williams, CA.
[inline_image file=”2e146302bce5005bc3c5436feb0000dc.jpg” caption=”Champion Polled Hereford, exhibited by Morrell Ranches, Williams, CA.”]
• Champion Maine Anjou, exhibited by Brocco Show Cattle, Petaluma, CA.
• Champion Red Angus, exhibited by England Ranches, Madras, OR.
[inline_image file=”73b1d0a140f822a027ba9fa25310b68e.jpg” caption=”Champion Red Angus, exhibited by England Ranches, Madras, OR.”]
• Champion Shorthorn, exhibited by Cardey Ranches, Turlock, CA.
• Champion Simmental, exhibited by Hinton Ranch Simmentals, Montague, CA.
[inline_image file=”58361a06bb438feb3d365539573a7da5.jpg” caption=”Champion Halter Simmental, exhibited by Hinton Ranch Simmentals, Montague, CA.”]
• Champion Calving Ease Angus, exhibited by Chico State Beef Unit, Chico, CA.
[inline_image file=”abdaf206f5777ee8445cd21ee8ef1ef1.jpg” caption=”Champion Calving Ease Angus, exhibited by Chico State Beef Unit, Chico, CA.”]
Champion range bulls
• Overall Range Ready and Champion Angus, exhibited by Cardey Ranches, Turlock, CA.
• Champion Balancer, exhibited by Louie’s Cattle Services, Burns, OR.
• Champion Charolais, exhibited by Romans Ranches, Westfall, OR.
• Champion Hereford, exhibited by Morrell Ranches, Williams, CA.
• Champion SimAngus, exhibited by Check X Livestock, Mitchell, OR.
• Champion Simmental, exhibited by Hinton Ranch Simmentals, Montague, CA.
Other champions
• Ideal Jack Owens Bull, exhibited by Hufford’s Herefords, Fort Rock, OR.
[inline_image file=”1e82e2e7c3ce06fd457bcaaa925efe9a.jpg” caption=”Ideal Jack Owens Bull, exhibited by Huffords Herefords, Fort Rock, OR.”]
• Overall Consignment of the Year, exhibited by Morrell Ranches, Williams, CA.
[inline_image file=”687b198cc23d323ed25319c6846a7ad4.jpg” caption=”Overall Consignment of the Year, exhibited by Morrell Ranches, Williams, CA.”]
Reserve champion bulls
[inline_image file=”5a24ed3835ae1353daff1703f457fffd.jpg” caption=”Reserve Champion Angus, exhibited by K Bar D, Redmond, OR.”]
[inline_image file=”61aa4edcad8245c18ca98c101738d030.jpg” caption=”Reserve Champion Charolais, exhibited by Rocking Hill Ranch, Galt, CA.”]
[inline_image file=”2e99106a48a7db9beb2042ac7a950847.jpg” caption=”Reserve Champion Hereford, exhibited by Morrell Ranches, Williams, CA.”]
[inline_image file=”63769bd8136c29666778edb19bde3c72.jpg” caption=”Reserve Champion Polled Hereford, exhibited by High Desert Cattle Co., Canyon City, OR.”]
[inline_image file=”1bab55cb81ba643f151ac2286e39f548.jpg” caption=”Reserve Champion Red Angus, exhibited by Kool Breeze Red Angus, Adin, CA.”]
[inline_image file=”d2f4e5a7edce73fb764cabfba6869268.jpg” caption=”Reserve Champion SimAngus, exhibited by Check X Livestock, Mitchell, OR.”]
Champion geldings
[inline_image file=”c89341bd5dd091b6f4ace50f005b2b30.jpg” caption=”A conformation class at Red Bluff.”]
• Champion Cow Horse, exhibited by Rogers Heaven Sent Ranch, Tucson, AZ.
• Champion Cutting Horse, exhibited by Rodney Koberstein, Page, AZ.
• Champion Snaffle Bit, exhibited by Rogers Heaven Sent Ranch, Tucson, AZ.
• Champion Conformation, exhibited by Angela Vogt, Elk Creek, CA.
• Champion Head Horse, exhibited by Justin Wright, Santa Maria, CA.
• Champion Heel Horse, exhibited by Amy Fitzpatrick, Eagle Point, OR.
• Champion Stock Horse, exhibited by Justin Wright, Santa Maria, CA.
• Craig Owens Ideal Ranch Horse, exhibited by Brian and Mary Kate Huntsberger, Paso Robles, CA.
Champion stock dog
• Champion Stock Dog, exhibited by Hannah Cash, Alturas, CA. — Logan Ipsen, WLJ fieldman
[inline_image file=”49b2f40572d1dcf0629bba578552f358.jpg” caption=”Hannah Cash of Alturas, CA, with her champion stock dog, Bruce.”]
