I have switched back to private sales. I held my own auction at the farm for a few years and was getting beat up on the calves. Guys were looking at the actual weights and wanted the 1100 pounders in December.
I would keep them for 2's and do pretty well, PFRA would buy the 2's but not the calves.
The best I did was $8400 on a bull that should have went to an A.I stud, but I didn't have a show reputation. The guy from Alta was at the sale but didn't even wave his hand.
I had quite a time with the auctioneer and ringmen, they wanted to play games but I tried to run a 100% honest, no rafter bids sale. They got caught running up a customer from Nebraska by me and I fired the ringman. The auctioneer was upset but came back for the next 2 sales.
I had repeat customers that placed orders with me for cattle, and 1 sale, I only sold 4 head to bidders in the seats. What was the point of spending 10K to host an event where you make almost no extra income?
Since returning to private sales, I have sold out the yearling pen and not had to keep 2's. I quit doing ultrasound, epds, early weaning, catalogues and advertising, and I took a 300 to 500 dollar drop in average price. I don't miss the sales at all.