Engage with JRA!

Many JRA members have benefited from the mentoring of a single Red Angus breeder who was willing to sacrifice time, energy and dollars to help them establish their own herd. Be thankful for that person or group willing to help you learn the necessary skills and gain the critical assets for future success.

However, it will prove most valuable if junior members visit multiple bull sales hosted by different Red Angus breeders.

When attending different bull sales this spring, consider how various breeders interact with their crowd on sale day. If you invest the time and resources needed to attend the sale, pay close attention to the facilities used by different breeders. How were their breeding programs different? Did they emphasize EPDs? How did they park cars and trucks with trailers? How did they handle the mud resulting from winter and spring rains? What did they serve for lunch?

Emma Ahrendsen, Iowa • jraemma@gmail.com

Peri Andras, Illinois • jraperi17@gmail.com

Leah Evans, Iowa • jraleah1@gmail.com

Natalie Evans, Illinois • jranatalie@gmail.com

Cameron Ison, Kentucky • jracameron1@gmail.com

Mitchell VanderWal, South Dakota • jramitchell1@gmail.com

Kim Heller, Junior Program Coordinator • juniors@redangus.org

Enjoy attending the sales, interacting with the crowd and asking questions. The host of the sale will not likely have time on sale day to answer many of your questions.

However, standing around the sale barn will be many cattle breeders just waiting for the sale to start. Those individuals have valuable experiences that you can learn from as well.

Digital auction formats are proving valuable for connecting buyers with purebred cattle sales. Cynthia O’Bryan from DVAuction notes that she has been able to sell cattle to, “Parents attending a soccer game, driving their kids to a birthday party, and farmers sitting on a combine.”

If a JRA member is going to watch an online sale, it is advisable for them to visit with those hosting the sale before sale day and to follow up after the sale is over. Print out the catalog or request a copy by mail and then send in your questions.

Website: redangus.org/jra

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