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Auctioneer and Sulphur Springs Livestock co-owner Joe Don Pogue takes bids from the audience and online during the NETBIO sale held Wednesday. Producers sold 3,698 head of pre-conditioned cattle at the sale. Courtesy -
Some of the cattle sold at the Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization (NETBIO) sale Wednesday. Courtesy
The Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization (NETBIO) held its March Pre-Conditioned Calf and Yearling Sale at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission Wednesday, selling 3,698 head of cattle.
David Fowler, co-owner of the livestock market center, said it was a good, light cattle sale with a lot of the calves going back to grass. He added that the market was good.
“Feeder cattle were cheaper, but overall, the market held up well considering the circumstances,” Fowler said. “We look forward to the May NETBIO sale, hoping the virus problem will be over.”
According to Sulphur Springs Livestock co-owner and NETBIO director Joe Don Pogue, some regular buyers for cattle companies who normally attend the sale were not allowed to travel due to the existing health situation in our country and instead went online to watch the sale and purchase cattle.
A total of 38 buyers bought the 3,698 head of pre-conditioned cattle offered by 190 NETBIO producer/ members, with 1,290 head being purchased online. Buyers paid an average of $675.22 per head for the cattle.
Fowler commended the employees of the Sulphur Springs market center for doing a good job in wet and muddy conditions for preparing and producing the sale.
“They always do a great job with the cattle, and our office crew does the same,” he said.
Fowler said the Sulphur Springs Livestock Auction will continue to hold their regular Monday sales “with some adjustments,” he added. He suggested all customers check the auction market website regularly at www. sslivestockauctions.com as well as the market center Facebook page to keep up with possible changes.
The market center released the following statement:
“At this time, we at Sulphur Springs Livestock will continue to hold our regular sales. We know how important this business is for the farmers and ranchers to take care of the needs of their families and others.
“Having said that, for the safety of everyone, we would like to minimize any unnecessary contact with others. If you are feeling ill or have any questionable symptoms, please remain home. We will continue to unload cattle for the sales as usual, but if you need help getting your cattle to the sale, please call us and we will be happy to get it taken care of for you.
“We recommend sellers view the sales online at LMA.com and pick up checks during the week or have checks mailed to allow our buyers the space needed in the auction arena. We will continue to update our status and want to let you know that we are here to help in any way that we can, with whatever you may need.
“[For] any questions, please call us at 903-885-2455. Each and every one of you is important to us. Take care, God bless.”
The next NETBIO sale will be held at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Auction on Wednesday, May 20. The weaning deadline for calves consigned to that sale is April 5, and the last date for booster shots is April 20. That sale will be followed by sales on July 15 and Sept. 16.
For more information, call the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission office at 903-885-2455.