Back when I started the DP blog, I didn’t know if anyone would read it. I didn’t know if anyone would be interested in what I had to say. Though I haven’t been the most faithful blogger to The OutGate recently, thank you for checking it out, reading along, and believing in that one day I will write something!
2012 was a great year not just for DP Sales, but for our clients and customers along with the Simmental industry in general. With the drought much of the United States suffered over the summer, many were weary heading into the fall sale season how things would go. I wish at the time we had known. It would have been nice to have an answer for everyone who asked. Thanks for sticking with us and the beef cattle industry.
I could probably spend several blogs going back and taking a look at the things that happened in the last half of 2012. But since I haven’t blogged in awhile I think you can sit in and enjoy a long one!
Once again Steve Sanders hosted an outstanding Head of the Class Sale. The weather, food, cattle, and hospitality were all top notch, just as you would expect from Steve and Margaret Sanders. We always enjoy heading out to Louisburg to be with this group of consignors. Like always there was a standing room only crowd to witness KenCo Miley Cottontail sell for $45,000 and headed to Bill Sloup in Nebraska. There truly was something for everyone that day! What an amazing sale and we are so happy to be able to work with them!
Head of the Class
This year, for the first time, we headed to Belle Center, Ohio for the Buckeye’s Finest Sale hosted by the Hoovler family of Rolling Hills Farms Simmentals. It was a beautiful fall weekend and the cattle were ready to head to new homes. The Hoovler family was great to work with and we look forward to doing so again the first Saturday of October 2013.
Buckeye's Finest
Throughout the year we see many of our “cattle friends” as many would call it at shows and sales. Maybe a few times a year. Sometimes you feel like you know them well enough, but there are still things left to the unknown. And that leads me to one of the most impressive tractor collections I have ever seen! I adore Wendell Alwardt of Diamond A Farms, and his son, Tyler showed me his tractor collection. Oh my word. They were everywhere. Surrounding me – and that wasn’t all of them! It was awesome to get to know a hobby of someone that we love to work with.
This might be one of the most exciting things that happened all fall in my opinion! If you have ever been to Seward, Nebraska to visit Sloup Simmentals you might have noticed that the lodging accomendations are a little lacking. Not anymore! Seward got a new hotel! When DP was out visiting Nick this summer he called in to tell us that they were building a hotel behind the McDonalds. We were very excited to head to Nick’s in October to check out the new accomendations. Boy is it nice! The Cobblestone Inn & Suites is a beautiful new addition to Seward. Plus, they even got a new Mexican restaurant! Big year for Seward!
After Sloup’s New Direction Sale, we headed to another new sale for 2012. We had the opportunity to work with another awesome set of consignors hosting their very first sale. Gerdes Show Cattle, Lone Tree Simmentals, Owen Bros Cattle Co, Drake, and Dusty Wellman hosted the first Buckles & Banners Sale in Iowa. It was an extremely impressive event that you must mark on your “must attend” in 2013. It was a great group of genetics paired with awesome hospitality. I worked with the group of consignors a lot and it was definitely a treat. It was an all video sale outside Eric’s wife Tara’s vet clinic in a large tent. The atmosphere was electric before the sale even though it was a bit chilly outside!
Buckles & Banners Sale
It was a monumental year for the NAILE Select Sale. We couldn’t be prouder and more humbled to be apart of such an elite event that is associated with so many great consignors and exceptional Simmental genetics. It is one you just have to sit back and think how did we get this lucky? Check out the sale report. It explains how awesome it was better than I can.
NAILE Select
While at the NAILE, DP got the chance to do a little bit of judging. He was selected to judge the first ever Fleckvieh/Fullblood Junior Show. Their first show had about 25-30 head of cattle. Great kids and a really nice set of heifers. DP, of course, loves to talk to people especially young people so he had a great time. It might not been the big shows in Freedom Hall, but we were all pretty proud of him judging at the NAILE.
Junior Fullblood Show
I have to admit that this last photo is one of the most rewarding things were able to be apart of ALL YEAR. If you have read previous blog posts, you might remember me mentioning Drew DeClerck, a young Simmental exhibitor that was diagnosed with cancer earlier in August. The support from the beef industry has been overwhelming for Drew and his family, especially in the Simmental industry. We were involved as many fundraising opportunities as possible to help their family. Steve Sanders purchased a custom light block for $1,900, and at the Land of Lincoln, we sold several items to raise money. It is always so touching to see the cattle family rally around those in need. At this time, I can happily report that Drew’s surgery and report has shown a lot of progress. His numbers which started around 37,000 is down to the single digits. Continue to pray for Drew and his family as he kicks cancers butt in 2013!
2012 was truly a great year. I wish I could post photos of every person, farm/operation, and Simmental event we had the opportunity to come into contact with throughout the year. We can not thank you all enough for trusting in us and we look forward to many more years in the Simmental industry!
Keep checking back! I promise to be a better blogger in 2013! Who knows, the next one might be about you!
