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Hokie Havest 2006
Livestock Update, December 2006
Dan Eversole, Department of Animal & Poultry Science, Virginia Tech..
The 2006 Livestock Merchandising Class entertained a spectacular crowd of over 800 friends and supporters on a rainy, muddy evening at the 12th Annual Hokie Harvest Sale on Friday, October 27th. There were 8 breeding swine sold via silent auction prior to the 26 university horses and 42 head (30 lots) of beef cattle that were sold concurrently at public auction in the Alphin-Stuart Livestock Arena (horses) and the Livestock Judging Pavilion (beef cattle) to 214 registered buyers from Missouri, Florida, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Connecticut, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. The beef cattle sale grossed $75,425 with a sale average of $2,357 with the following breed totals: Angus - $43,500; Hereford - $16,325; Simmental - $3,450; Gelbvieh - $1,850; Commercial - $8,750 and Charolais - $1,550. The horse sale grossed $90,100 with a sale average of $3,465 while the eight breeding swine averaged $249. This year’s sale gross totaled $167,515, which is the second highest grossing sale since the inception of the Hokie Harvest in 1995.
In the cattle sale of five different breeds, Lot 8 topped the bred cow/calf division at $4,650. She is a daughter of Bon View New Design 1407 and is an exciting performance blend backed by the herd-sire producing Tibbie family. This three-year-old Angus cow sold to Pleasant View Farms, Wayside, WV. Her stout bull calf, sired by SAF Strategy 9015, sold to Thomas Thompson of Natural Bridge Station, VA.
In the yearling heifer division, Lots 1, 15 and 16 drew identical bids of $3,200. The Lot 1 Angus bred female is a featured daughter of the Pathfinder and carcass leader GAR Precision 1680 and is out of the famous Rita family. She sold to Wallens Ridge Farm of Boones Mill, VA. Lots 15 and 16 are half sisters sired by DR World Class 517 10H, the #2 multiple-trait EPD sire in the Hereford breed. Both bred heifers sold to Griffin Farms of Dugspur, VA.
VPI Distributor 5R15 (Lot 12) topped the yearling bull division at $1,725. This LF New Trend 4100 son is out of a highly productive Unique daughter and was the service sire for the eight commercial bred cows. He sold to Darrell Bird, Sr. of Dublin, VA.
The top selling horse was Lot 14, Fox Nuri VT (Foxfire), which sold for $15,000 to Michael Arrington of Goode, VA. This 2003 gorgeous grey gelding is a stylish show hunter prospect and was champion colt of his ISR/Oldenburg NA inspection.
Lot 9, Noble Oath VT (Othello), drew considerable interest from bidders due to his size (16.1 hands), his impressive pedigree for jumping, and his tremendous talent for dressage. This 2004 bay Oldenburg gelding was purchased by Kenneth Agee of Pataskala, OH.
The 78 students did a marvelous job of preparing for the sale. They gained ‘hands-on’ experience in sale management, budgeting, cataloging, advertising, livestock photography, clerking, and health requirements. A special thanks is extended to Mr. Jeff Marsh and Mr. Ken Brubaker for serving as auctioneers for the horses and beef cattle, respectively. Students Dale Flugel, Woodstock, VA; Bethany Johnson, Nokesville, VA; Brian Price, Blacksburg, VA; and Martin Smith, South Hill, VA served as ring people for the beef cattle sale while Cole Heizer, Staunton, VA worked the ring. Bid-takers for the horse sale were Allison Jones, Williamsburg, VA; Cary Proferes, Gainesville, VA; Chris Smith, Annapolis, MD; and Cliff Williamson, Reva, VA. Students who were clerking ‘in the block’ were Matthew Earman, Weyers Cave, VA and Micah Orfield, Meadowview, VA for the beef cattle and horses, respectively.
The Food and Beverage Committee, with assistance from the Block and Bridle Club in the Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, served a complimentary BBQ dinner to over 800 guests. Their support and cooperation are greatly appreciated.
The response from the 214 registered horse, swine, and beef cattle buyers and feedback from the students in the class continue to be overwhelming in favor of hosting another student-run livestock sale. Plans are currently underway for the 13th Annual Hokie Harvest Sale on Friday, October 26, 2007. We hope to see you there!