No bull! North Dakota bull sells for $1.51 million. And that's just for an 80% interest. Story at Dickinson Press.
- by-line: St. Anthony, ND
- seller: SAV America
- SAV: Schaff Angus Valley
- buyer: Herbster Angus Farms of Falls City, NE
- third year in a row that SAV has broken its own record for highest-selling bull
- last year was the previous record: $800,000
- prior to that: $750,000
- SAV: operated by fourth-generation Schaffs
- great-grandfather Schaff homesteaded the ranch south of Mandan, ND
- the $1.51 million bull -- 1,107 pounds at 205 days; most bulls don't approach that weight until they are yearlings (365 days for millennials)
- and, yes, a note will be sent to Occasional-Cortex if I can find her DC luxury apartment address
First, more about the buyer and it's an incredible story, from the Omaha World-Herald, and look at the date: December 30, 2018. Just a couple of months ago.
The grandson: Charles W. Herbster.
Now, the epilogue. The reader pointed me to this story from ABC.net (an Australian source, so if you go to the link you will see prices in Australian dollars):
The chairman of Donald Trump's Agriculture and Rural Advisory Committee has paid $1.51 million for a one-year-old Angus bull at auction in North Dakota.
Charles W. Herbster, a Republican donor and businessman, is also a respected cattle producer and owner of Herbster Angus Farms in Falls City, Nebraska.
His was the successful bid on 'SAV America 8018' at the Schaff Angus Valley production sale held on its ranch outside Saint Anthony.
Will Bollum, a field editor for livestock publication Western Ag Reporter, was ringside to witness the moment in history.See links for some incredible stories.
Something tells me these ranchers will not be happy about paying the "wealth tax" proposed by Ed Murkey, Occasional-Cortex, and others. They will also have to replace their diesel tractors with Teslas.
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An Ode To Sitting Bull and SAV America 8018
by a reader
A little black bull and famed Sitting Bull
raised in the wilds of Dakota
A top price to mull and a myth never dull
all from the wilds of Dakota
The bison herds roamed - they roamed far and roamed free
back in the wilds of Dakota
They fed and clothed many, a symbol of plenty in days of the wild old Dakota
But time changes all, hence summer comes fall
even in timeless Dakota
But do not lament, for all is not spent
even in bleak old Dakota
The winter wind's chill, then meadowlark's trill
when spring comes to warm up Dakota
If bird song can't fill you, then this may just thrill you
from bull sales now in Dakota
The biggest price ever, from hard work and clever
settlers in rough old Dakota
The same dear terrain, they brought wealth and some fame
to those stomping grounds of Dakota
Whether auctioneer's banter, or Sioux hunter's canter
all within earshot - Dakota
Will long tell the tale, stories won't fail
of bounty in great old Dakota
Sioux shooters sought meat, quivers sent shivers
through all of farflung Dakota
Still plenty good eating, thank Schaaf family breeding
our blest prairie home, my Dakota
Quoth the raven, evermore.
