Hello List, I am sending you this information again that I sent Diana last night via the list. I want to make sure everyone understands dealing with the livestock auction is like what I feel is like the stock market when it comes to prices. I do not get high prices at the auction as stated in my emails earlier ALL the time. I personally feel high prices can be reached most of the time, at least in my area, IF animals are sent when in demand. Certain ethnic holidays the demand is very high, therefore the prices reflect this most of the time. All ethnic holidays are not recreated equal dealing with high prices. That is why I stated in an earlier email that I have found the ethnic holidays around our Easter and Christmas seem to be the best in my area and in my view. The other problem is when is the best time to take your animals during this high demand. Generally speaking, I have found that if you take them approximately 4 weeks or more before these holidays the buyers at what I call the "hub" locations at the auctions are not willing to purchase them for high prices. Approximately one week before the holidays I have found most of the time the market is flooded with animals, therefore the prices are lower. When taking your animals during this time you still have to get your animals to the market at the right time in order to obtain a high price. As always it is a gamble! Since I do not personally take my animals to the New Holland PA market I have to rely on the transport to take them at the correct time.
But I strongly believe if I take my animals to the livestock auction I obtain a higher price at a "hub" location (my "hub" is New Holland) than at my local livestock auctions. I use my local livestock auction to get rid of animals I want in a hurry most due to management problems. If I have a couple of ram lambs that were not big enough to go with the big boys I will hold them back. When they reach the size I want, instead of keeping them in a separate pen until the next good market (holiday) I will just bite the bullet and get rid of them. Also I did not mention that a lot of times I send my Barbados Blackbelly ram lambs to the auction as sheep and they are sold as goats. As far as selling them to individuals my price remains the same all year round. So far most of the people do not seem to negotiate. Either they want the sheep or not. My goats and other breeds that I raise people seem to negotiate a little. I hope this is clear of what I have experienced. James Harper Virginia Regional Director BBSAI -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of James Harper Sent: Saturday, July 10, 2004 1:00 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [blackbelly] the price of blackbellies Diana, Diana stated: Isn't the market value only as good as the demand? Diana, I agree that the market value is only good as the demand. Check out http://www.caf.wvu.edu/avs/sheep/ethnic.htm dealing with the ethnic holiday calendar. This helps me to determine when the demand is going to be high (generally speaking). I have found that the holidays around Easter and Christmas USUALLY bring the best prices. During those 2 holidays one has to guess when the best time to take your animals to the market. To early during the holidays the buyers are not ready. Too late and the market might be flooded. I hope this helps! James Virginia Regional Director BBSAI -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, July 09, 2004 7:19 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [blackbelly] the price of blackbellies Is there a national meat coop for Barbado (or american-strain BBS) sheep? If not, why not? We are raising ours (primarily) for personal use (like Bobbie), though still waiting for the prolific gene to kick in. We may (eventually) have some extras available and I wouldn't sell under the local market price. They definately aren't lawnmowers and shouldn't be advertised as such. The write ups advertising them in that way are misleading to the uninformed, potential buyer. A mower, imo, does a better job and with less expense, then keeping BB sheep. Isn't the market value only as good as the demand? Diana =============================================== This message is from the Barbados Blackbelly Sheep mailing list (http://www.awrittenword.com/listserv/index.html). To respond to this message, send e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe or change your membership options, go to http://lists.coyotenet.net/mailman/listinfo/blackbelly To search the archives, go to http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ =============================================== This message is from the Barbados Blackbelly Sheep mailing list (http://www.awrittenword.com/listserv/index.html). To respond to this message, send e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe or change your membership options, go to http://lists.coyotenet.net/mailman/listinfo/blackbelly To search the archives, go to http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ =============================================== This message is from the Barbados Blackbelly Sheep mailing list (http://www.awrittenword.com/listserv/index.html). To respond to this message, send e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe or change your membership options, go to http://lists.coyotenet.net/mailman/listinfo/blackbelly To search the archives, go to http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/
