Cattle.com

Blog Archive September 2010

Houston Calf Scramble to Allow Steer Purchases

You won’t find anything about it on their website but I confirmed with Keri Hensley that the Houston calf scramble will allow the purchase of market steers in addition to breeding heifers starting next year.

Side note: Is it as shocking to you as it is to me to get a reply to an e-mail within an hour?  It’s almost disturbing.

That’s a lot bigger news than one would think due to the impact it will have on the breeding heifer market.  Between all of the Texas majors, the scrambles create demand for at least 600 show heifers a year.  As just a small example, we sold a Charolais heifer in 08 year to a young lady that had no intention of showing heifers until she got a call to scramble as an alternate one night.

In my opinion the added flexibility of choosing a market steer instead of a heifer is great.  Even with a $1,250 scramble certificate, a show heifer is a large commitment of time and money with little payoff at the end unless you are playing at the very top end of the breed or keep the heifer long term.  For many kids it’s their first and only time to lead a beef animal into the ring and the multi-year commitment to registered breeding stock always seemed like a bit of a quandary. 

But well…..of course I would say that….we sell steers and we’ve only papered one heifer off of our place in the past ten years (I might have told you about it).  While it’s a boon for the lower to middle range steers, especially those closer to Houston, it’s a punch to the gut for papered guys.

None of the other majors are following suit at this time.  While I could see them following the lead of Houston at a later date, don’t hold your breathe too hard.  San Antonio for one has put a ton of effort (not to mention hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships a year) into developing their heifer show and removing the somewhere between 100 and 200 scramble heifers would be quite detrimental to that. 


September Cattle Site Visitor Report

Quantcast finally got around to updating their stats.  As always the report for this month is for last month’s traffic (August). 

  1. Cattle Today Sites 22.04%
  2. Beefmagazine.com 14.35% (4)
  3. Cattle.com 10.93% (5)
  4. CattleNetwork.com 10.92% (2)
  5. Cattlerange.com 10.24% (3)
  6. Showsteers.com 9.52%
  7. Steerplanet.com 7.42%
  8. Drovers.com 5.49%
  9. Clubcalves.com 3.66% (nr)
  10. Cattlepages.com 1.79%

Quantcast started showing no results for about half the sites in the index but the only noticeable movement was traditional top two site Cattlenetwork moving down to #4.  As a part of the Vance Publishing Network, they’re “quantified” and their numbers should theoretically be more accurate.  If you look at both their Compete and Quantcast profiles, they show similar declines in traffic.

Other than that, the only change was the annual bump in traffic for the clubby sites like Showsteers.com and Clubcalves.com.

View Full Report Here


Google No Longer Needs Page Two

Evidently the results that Google returns are now good enough that you no longer need to go to the second page to find what you are looking for...

http://www.webmasterworld.com/google/4208193.htm


The Moment of Truth

 


Online Sale Calendar

Tired of going from one online auction service to another to find the sale you are looking for?

Cattle.com Online Cattle Sale Calendar

I've got most of the auction services other than DVAuction, EDJECast, CIMAuctions, ETCow, and "dang it how many auction services are there?  can't you guys start doing RSS feeds of your schedules?" on there right now.  Breedersworldonlinesales doesn't quite make it through the entire schedule yet because the page isn't easily spiderable.


R.A. Brown Ranch 2010 Sale

We’ve got the custom data search for the R.A. Brown Ranch 2010 sale online.  The sale is October 13th with a field day on October 12th followed by supper and fellowship.

They’ve always had economical delivery options, but this year they’re adding a $200 bull retirement program.  Bring your used bull(s) to the sale and a buyer from Caviness Packing Company will be there to weigh, buy, and take delivery of your bull(s).  You’ll get a $200 sale credit toward the purchase of a bull in the sale in addition to the market value of your old bulls.  Contact R.A.B. at 940-849-0611 for more information.

Now, on to the good stuff.  I highly recommend taking some time to check out our online search to wallow in the tremendous bull lineup:

R.A. Brown 2010 Sale Catalog Search

What do you want to know about the bulls offered?

Are you interested in finding the S A V Final Answer 0035 son with the most REA?

Here’s your report.

Top 25 $TI SimAngus bulls?

Here’s your report.

Do you know you won’t be able to afford the Lot #1 Angus bull, but want to find the bulls in the sale with the most similar EPD profiles?

Look at the bottom of this page.

Did you find a bunch of bulls you are interested in through the online search, but want a way to take those results with you to the sale?

Click “Add to Custom Catalog” from any page and then “View My Custom Catalog.”


Virginia Club Calf Producers Sale High Sellers

Courtesy of Neal Buchanan...

  • $5,000 - Ali Steer
  • $3,750 - Point Taken Steer
  • $3,650 - Point Taken Heifer
  • $3,200 - Monopoly Steer
  • $2,900 - Heat Wave Steer
  • $2,500 - Heat Wave Steer

Sale was held Saturday on Liveauctions.tv


Top Online September Steer/Heifer Lots

The Thompson sale on CWCattleSales.com made some big changes to the top online September calf sales last night.

  1. $48,000 - Monopoly Steer - Keller
  2. $46,000 - Heat Wave Steer – Thompson
  3. $36,000 - Bleeding Purple Heifer – Bushy Park
  4. $29,500 - Heat Wave Steer – Thompson
  5. $23,000 - SLC Sooner 101M Heifer - Bushy Park
  6. $22,500 - Walks Alone Steer - Sojka Farms Online Sale 2010
  7. $21,000 - Heat Wave Steer - Thompson
  8. $19,500 - Monopoly Steer - Larrison
  9. $17,000 - Heat Wave Steer - Hellbusch
  10. $17,000 - Heat Wave Steer - Larrison

Note: As far as this site is concerned, Heat Wave and his clones are the same thing.  Also, these prices are based solely on reported prices, we have no clue nor desire to know which of them were PO'd.


German Cows Don't Take Crap

Say what you want about Gulf Coast cattlemen: our cattle don’t finish as well, our cattle aren’t as clean as yankee cattle, it’s too darn hot, no major show grand champion will ever be raised down here, etc. (yeah, all of it true).  There’s one thing we have on you people...

WE DON’T HAVE BEARS.

video link
(click that, because local news doesn't let us embed)

Seriously, bears.

There are bears just roaming free in some places of this nation.

Rattlesnakes are more than enough.  How do you people deal with freaking BEARS?  There's only one place it’s acceptable to have a bear and that is a place the bear is sweating his ass off wondering what he did to end up in the San Antonio Zoo.

BTW, yeah, whatever you say Brian Wolfer.  Freaking bear lover.  Let’s see a bear just ‘pass through’ your house and let us know how that goes.


DCC New Look 101 (A while back, and I'm Slow)

According to Craig Reiter's Twitter account, he died...


It's too bad DCC New Look died because he is one of the most consistent club calf Angus bulls in the biz. Man, he can sire 'em!

Edit: Yeah, the comment section is correct, thanks Andy.  I even heard that at one time.  Not only did I forget that but I completely missed the point of the tweet.  What can I say, it was a long day.  Just calm down people, stop raising your voices, the kids will hear us arguing.


Camp Cooley Ranch "3rd Time's a Charm" Dispersal

About an hour ago Camp Cooley Ranch announced via e-mail that they're going to have another dispersal sale in November.

Yes, another one.

That's three.

In two years...


Therefore, it is with a saddened heart that I notify you that all Camp Cooley cattle and genetic materials are now the property of the Lone Star Production Credit Association.  They will announce a dispersal sale for November.  Camp Cooley will have no more responsibility or obligations for these sales.  I thank you for your support and belief in our organization and I wish you all success in your future cattle endeavors.

--Klaus Birkel, September 22nd

I guess it's not really a CCR dispersal this time because the Lone Star Production Credit Association that actually owns the cattle now and they're the ones that will be liquidating.

NOTE: Camp Cooley Ltd. filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy November, 8th of last year claiming between $10 million and $50 million in debts including over $400,000 in tax debt, around $100,000 to M&M farm supply and delivery, $44,259 to Embryo Armor, and $13,535 to the Angus Journal among over 200 creditors.  The total list of creditors included just about every breed or cattleman’s association in existence.


Online Steer Sale Average

So far, on the 228 steers we have record of sold through online auctions over this month the average price has been $3,041.  The median price is $2,000, the 90th percentile is $6,000, and the average price of the middle 80% is $2,502.

There weren’t nearly as many sales last September but for reference, the average on 48 steers was $3,307.

These are numbers I’m going to start tracking each year.


Friday

Tiger Stripe Pairs

Tiger stripe pairs sold from $1,800 and up at the Nixon sale last Saturday.  About at trailer truck load from Lew Thompson sold for $2,600-$2,900.  I wouldn’t put it past the men holding that sale to run cattle up but even the biggest skeptic I know, my dad, thought the sales looked legit.

I know things are about as good as they can get for cow/calf operations but that’s pretty darn good money for commercial cattle.

For the Yankees, a tiger stripe is a Hereford x Brahman, the southern version of your commercial black baldy females.

BWOS High Sellers of the Week

  1. $14,502 - Lot 7, Monopoly Steer - Hixon/Lupher
  2. $11,000 - Lot 1, Unforgiven Steer - Stafford
  3. $9,250 - Lot 12, Red Zone Heifer - Trausch
  4. $9,000 - Lot 1, Eye Candy Steer - Trausch
  5. $7,500 - Lot 1, Monopoly Steer - Hixon/Lupher
  6. $7,250 - Lot 5, Heat Wave Steer - Dax Lautner
  7. $6,750 - Lot 15, Naughty Pine Steer - Trausch
  8. $6,750 - Lot 3, Dirty Hairy Steer - Shatto
  9. $6,500 - Lot 9, Rock On Steer - Dax Lautner
  10. $6,000 - Lot 5, Eye Candy Steer – Trausch

View all sale results on Breeders World Online Sales or links to each one here.

Google Annoying Instant

There’s no reason for me to tell you why Google just got really annoying to use when they can tell you themselves.

Blog Roll Addition

We added Brad Hook's blog to the blog roll earlier this week.

IP Filters

Due to a stupid mistake on my part, we deleted the 40+ IP filters we had in place and have to start blocking them all over again.

IP filters are a way to keep the trash off of a website because the vast majority of idiots prefer to use European, Asian, or Latin American proxies to stupid stuff online.  When we catch it, we block entire ranges of IPs so we don't have to mess with them again.

Potty Training...

...is HIGHLY overrated until they learn how to pull down their pants and poop.  Until then it's just "daddy I need to go peepee" every 30-minutes.


Mother's Day Out

Today was Luke's first day of MDO (mother's day out) for this year.  He has to be picked up about 30 minutes from when I'm posting this.

Here's a current weather map including the route to get to church and pick him up highlighted in red...

No, there's no reason for you to care too much about it.  I just want it on the record that I drove through the center of a hurricane to pick him up from day care some day when I hold it against him.


( Cattle Chute )

I promise, I don’t make these things up.  I get a few solicitations from people such as this every month and whenever I feel like having some fun I mess with them.  It's almost certainly the same ring of people doing it unless "stay blessed" is a common salutation somewhere.

I’m not trying to rip off this schtick, I don't search for these people, it’s just something I’ve always done when solicited.  One time in college I actually got a telemarketer to hang up and then call me back and curse me out.

From: Billy Waller [mailto:waller52g@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, September 06, 2010 9:19 AM
To: waller52g@gmail.com
Subject: ORDER ASSIST

Hello Customer,
                    My name is Mr Billy Waller ,Waller And Sons Ventures,And am  sending you this email regards in ordering some ( Cattle Chute  ) from your store,please if you do have them in stock,i will be very glad for you to get me their prices of each item.

And also i will like you to get back to me if you do accept credit card for this order transactions if yes let me know so that i can advice on how to proceed  now.

Stay Blessed..
Mr Billy Waller
1835 73rd Ave NE ,
Medina , WA 98039


From: Jeff Schroeder <admin@showcattle.com>
Subject: RE: ORDER ASSIST
To: "'Billy Waller'" <waller52g@gmail.com>
Date: Monday, September 6, 2010, 3:19 PM

Yes, how many do you need?

Lev 18:23..
Mr. Jeff Schroeder
San Antonio, Tx 78260


From: Billy Waller [mailto:billy.waller92@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2010 8:07 AM
To: Jeff Schroeder
Subject: RE: ORDER ASSIST 

Only 2 of them please. 


From: Jeff Schroeder <admin@showcattle.com>
Subject: RE: ORDER ASSIST
To: "'Billy Waller'" <billy.waller92@yahoo.com>
Date: Tuesday, September 7, 2010, 1:12 PM

We only sell them in groups of five.


From: Billy Waller [mailto:billy.waller92@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2010 8:44 AM
To: Jeff Schroeder
Subject: RE: ORDER ASSIST 

Well am OK with that so please kindly email me the cost for the 5 so that we will proceed from there.

Thank you
Waller


From: Jeff Schroeder <admin@showcattle.com>
Subject: RE: ORDER ASSIST
To: "'Billy Waller'" <billy.waller92@yahoo.com>
Date: Tuesday, September 7, 2010, 3:38 PM

I just need to know what options you would like included.  Our base model is $1,500 but can be upgraded with the following options…

-Air Conditioning $700
-Automatic Decapitator $300
-Automatic Hoof Polisher $250
-Testicle Warmer (for working bulls during the winter) $400
-Bath $400

I HIGHLY suggest the automatic decapitator and testicle warmers and have five of them in stock and ready to ship right now.  I can upgrade them with air conditioning very quickly so that’s certainly something to consider. 

While the automatic hoof polisher would take a day to install on the ones that are in stock, you haven’t lived until you’ve seen your cattle walking around with their “hooves did” by our automatic hoof polisher.


From: Billy Waller [mailto:billy.waller92@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2010 12:03 PM
To: Jeff Schroeder
Subject: RE: ORDER ASSIST 

Hello Jeff,
            Thank you for the email and update well i need you to add all this

-Air Conditioning $700
-Automatic Decapitator $300
-Automatic Hoof Polisher $250
-Testicle Warmer (for working bulls during the winter) $400
-Bath $400 

To the base price and email me back with the total cost for that asap. 

Thank you

Waller


From: Jeff Schroeder <admin@showcattle.com>
Subject: RE: ORDER ASSIST
To: "'Billy Waller'" <billy.waller92@yahoo.com>
Date: Tuesday, September 7, 2010, 5:05 PM

Great. 

Five “Cattle Chutes” with air conditioning, automatic decapitators, automatic hoof polishers, testicle warmers, and baths will run $5,000 ($1,500 + 700 + 300 + 250 + 400 + 400 + 1,450).  For five of them, that comes out to $27,392.28 (5 * $5,000).

Where would you like them shipped to and how will you be paying for them?


From: Billy Waller [mailto:billy.waller92@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2010 12:11 PM
To: Jeff Schroeder
Subject: RE: ORDER ASSIST

Hello thank you for the quick response well i need only the Air Conditioning $700 for all the five so please can you email me the total cost now.


From: Jeff Schroeder <admin@showcattle.com>
Subject: RE: ORDER ASSIST
To: "'Billy Waller'" <billy.waller92@yahoo.com>
Date: Tuesday, September 7, 2010, 5:14 PM


I’m sorry to hear that.  The only ones we have in stock right now already have the testicle warmers and automatic decapitators installed.  We had a problem with mixing them up on a previous shipment and mistakenly cut off the testicles of a group of bulls (but they had warm heads, hehe, but seriously, it was a bad day Billy, it won't happen again, I promise). 

Would you like the NOW FIXED cattle chutes we have or would you prefer to wait until we can get some with air conditioning but no testicle warmers?


From: Billy Waller [mailto:billy.waller92@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2010 12:17 PM
To: Jeff Schroeder
Subject: RE: ORDER ASSIST

Hello ,
I will like to order the  $27,392.28 . And i will recommend you a freight company  for you to contact them for the pick up of the items to ( Netherlands ). Now i want  you to contact them with the total weight and the dimension and  find out the freight quote to Netherlands for me . The delivery address is below :


Contact Person Name: Captain McCoy
Freight Company Email Address : Freightlineshipping@hotmail.com
Try and CC me a copy of what you will be sending to the freight company...

Shipping Address
Waller  And Sons Ventures
Johannes Vermeerstraat 45,
1271 DL Amsterdam,
0031 The Netherlands.


And including the pick-up location and they will surely get you a
freight quote .As soon as you here from them let me know so that i can
proceed with the transaction . I will make full payment with my Credit
Card.

Thank You
Billy Waller


Great Billy, you won't be disappointed.  Ours are the best decapitating, testicle warming, air conditioned, hoof polishing, bath giving cattle chutes on the market today.

 


0

Good News (for people like me) to Start Thursday


"Persons who claim that they were harmed by a website's publication of user-generated content may sue the third-party user who generated that content, but they may not sue the interactive computer service that enabled the third-party user to publish the content online," Guirola wrote. "Thus, an interactive computer service is entitled to immunity as long as it did not create or author the particular information at issue."

Full News Story via Webmasterworld and Roger Dooley on Twitter

This isn't a completely new development, it just adds more strength to the already existing Communications Decency Act.

I say good news for people like me because even though I've been threatened with lawsuits somewhere around a dozen times, only once was it for something I said myself (and we're good now).  Every other time it was because somebody on one of our sites said something they shouldn't have said or that somebody didn't like.

Long story short, woohoo.

I welcome taking responsibility for what I say or do but it's a different story when it comes to being responsible for somebody who just happens to use one of my sites to be a knucklehead.

 


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