Around The Industry

by Kiley McKinna

2022 Bull Sale Season—The Guarantee

Welcome to the Limousin365 annual Spring Sale Edition! As you page through this issue, you’ll find many of the breed’s most relevant and progressive programs highlighted, several of the breed’s finest spring sales showcased in accompaniment with multiple feature stories and industry news. It’s official, 2021is firmly in our rear view mirrors and now it’s time to hit the trail and dive into what we hope is a great 2022 spring sale season loaded with foreseeable optimism!

As I write this column, pondering which direction to head, one topic comes to mind as it relates to the 2022 bull sale season—The Guarantee! This very topic is often front and center in most conversations I have with breeders and buyers both pre- and post-transaction. The relevance and importance of having concrete answers to this topic will often determine not only sale day success but, more importantly future success. So let’s dive right into it and open the discussion up.

THE GUARANTEE.

Cash, credit or take a hike?

Boldly stated but, I think your first determination as a seedstock supplier is to answer the question, “Are you a breeder with a real program or tail light type producer?” Once you have made that decision, outlining a clear cut protocol on how to handle most ‘typical’ situations can be extremely beneficial to your customers, potential customers as well as your own peace of mind. The million dollar question then becomes, what is the right guarantee to have? In my opinion, first analyze what you know you can afford to do, what your current customer demands and be aware of what your marketplace competitors offer. Staying market competitive is always a good idea but staying within your program’s means and out of the ‘grey’ is just as important. Now that you have outlined what your program’s standard guarantee is, it’s time to muddy the water. What do you do in the ‘non-typical’ situation? As many breeders know, there’s always those unforeseen circumstances. If you haven’t experienced one yet, consider yourself lucky, but stick around awhile because sooner or later we all get to experience a ‘nontypical’ situation. That leads us into our next segment.

Don’t EVER delay the issue.

The pitter-patter routine is typically ill-advised when dealing with any bull issue, let alone an issue beyond your normal guarantee. My advice is to swiftly, calmly and professionally attack the issue head on. Naturally, no one likes conflict but, the manner and tone in which you elect to handle the ‘situation’ will determine the likelihood of whether or not you retain that customer going forward. Remember, as uncomfortable as it is for you as a breeder, it’s often just as uncomfortable for your customer. That said, the question becomes what is the ‘right’ solution?

Questions are often your answer.

In my experience burning hours of cell phone minutes with breeders from across North America, riding through numerous pastures and navigating pre- and post-sale stresses and successes for the better part of two decades, it’s with little hesitation, I can offer this bit of advice. I know it sounds simple because it is but, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Spanning scores of situations, over many years, the question is always—what is the right thing to do? By asking questions you learn about your customer, your product and often come to a reasonable conclusion that satisfies both parties and makes you a better breeder. The silver lining in asking those uncomfortable questions is it protects you from ever getting taken advantage of and you can quickly identify the worth of that customer.

To wrap up “The Guarantee” conversation—ultimately navigating both the simple and sticky situations comes down to effective communication and how you want this piece of your customer service puzzle to be perceived within the competitive seedstock marketplace. Unfortunately, there is no silver bullet to “The Guarantee”. That said, I challenge you to think about the aforementioned (Cash, credit or take a hike?; Don’t ever delay the issue.; and Questions are often your answer.) and I hope it helps you come to the right solution.

In closing, I sincerely hope you enjoy our Spring Sale Edition. It’s of benefit to your respective program and a promotional piece the Limousin breed can be proud of. A big thank-you to all of the advertisers, readership and those that continue to support this endeavor and offer feedback as it relates to your magazine, Limousin365.

God bless and I look forward to seeing you down the sale trail this spring. We are all in this together, remain Limousin Proud.

Offering 100 Bulls, including sons of these breed leading sires.

Tuesday, April 5, 2022

1 p.m. MST – Five Valleys Livestock – Missoula, MT

SALE MANAGEMENT…

Kiley McKinna • (402) 350-3447 WIley Fanta • (320) 287-0751 mcmarketingsales@aol.com mcmarketingmanagement.com

BID ONLINE…

PHOTOS & VIDEOS… www.colemanlimousin.com

COLE

Genesis 86G Purebred – HomoP/Blk – HUNT Credentials 37C ET x COLE Miss XRated 354A CE: 17 BW: -0.9 WW: 80 YW: 120 MK: 33 CM: 11 SC: 1.1 DC: 18 YG: -0.23 CW: 40 REA: 0.81 MB: 0.45 $MI: 72

CELL

Envision 7023E Purebred – HomoP/HomoB – AHCC Barn Burner B907 x PBRS Zsa Zsa 246Z CE: 10 BW: 2.8 WW: 104 YW: 167 MK: 20 CM: 6 SC: 2.4 DC: 23 YG: -0.38 CW: 61 REA: 1.51 MB: 0.18 $MI: 71

AHCC

Earning Power 900E Purebred – HomoP/HomoB – MAGS Anchor x LVLS 9066U CE: 13 BW: 1.0 WW: 82 YW: 136 MK: 16 CM: 8 SC: 2.5 DC: 18 YG: -0.22 CW: 53 REA: 1.01 MB: 0.46 $MI: 74

Larry & Anita Coleman (406) 644-2300

Trent & Melissa Coleman (406) 644-2707 53717 Gallagher Road • Charlo, MT 59824

www.colemanlimousinranch.com

COLE

Cadillac 05C Purebred – HomoP/Blk – ROMN Tuff Enuff 103T x COLE Miss XRated 354A CE: 15 BW: -2.1 WW: 60 YW: 84 MK: 13 CM: 10 SC: -1.2 DC: 9 YG: -0.46 CW: 17 REA: 1.17 MB: 0.02 $MI: 52

eye eye eye

If you are looking to buy a homozygous black, homozygous polled herd sire backed by nearly 50 years of breeding and selection... you have just hit the bullseye!

We have a choice selection of yearling bulls that represent our most current bloodlines. These bulls have made the “cowboy’s cut” in terms of low birthweights, calm dispositions, soundness and tremendous performance. We also have a choice selection of double homozygous females for sale. Whether you are looking to buy 1 or 20, Begert Limousin has long been the bullseye for double homozygous herd bull prospects and replacement females.

Homozygous Black, Homozygous Polled Bulls and Females for Sale Year Round

Hiram and Darenda • 806/375-2346 Bret, Hayley, McKinley & Boone • 806/375-2345 Box 110, Allison, Texas 79003 begertranch@gmail.com • www.begertlimousinranch.com