A calculator is still a good practical tool
At the cattle auction the other day from one of the buyers came the comment “I can’t believe how much a head some people are giving for these calves.”
My comment, “I promise you quite a few buyers don’t know how much per head it is until they figure it out with their calculator.” Now for some possession is the name of the game and think to themelves, “I simply got to have them whatever they cost.” Most using that philosophy are thinking, “Well the last set or two worked when I thought they were high so get them.”
One thing they better consider is the last set or two was at a lot lower dollar per head. Often in this business a lot of potential buyers—whether stockers or feeders—put their faith in what the next buyer thinks or sometimes they listen to the loudest so-called expert at the local convenience store.
The reason I say most don’t know how much per head they are giving occurs because at the sale the bidding and the auctioneer is going fast. I have been blessed with being able to figure quickly in my head. The other day I was buying for another man who told me the most dollars per head he wanted them to cost. I had previously written down on a card—a cheat sheet—with what I could give for every 20 pounds different and every time I was over that amount. My point is at $5 a pound one extra bid and a few pounds more stacks up a lot of dollars.
My oldest son just turned 32 and I adopted him when he was 6 years old and if you don’t think 26 years have gone fast then you are living a different lifestyle than I am. When I told my son happy birthday I also told him adopting my four boys was the smartest decision I ever made. There have been bumps in the road and problems, but I wouldn’t trade it for $30 million. If you have thought about adoption give it a chance. I have always been a sucker for the underdog and a lot of these kids just need someone to care.
The first week I took my oldest son to the sale at age 6 a buyer told me he looked at my son and thought, young man you don’t have any idea how your life is fixing to change. For me, I say if my four boys get into heaven because I took them to church and got them started in that direction then my life has been successful.
Editor’s note: The views expressed here are the author’s own and do not represent the view of High Plains Journal. Jerry Nine, Woodward, Oklahoma, is a lifetime cattleman who grew up on his family’s ranch near Slapout, Oklahoma.
