NETBIO Sale to Feature
On-Line Sales of Cattle

by: Bobby McDonald

David Fowler, left, and Joe Don Pogue, watch the computer screen and review the features of the new program
that will allow the sale of NETBIO calves on the internet for Wednesday's sale. Kathy McGowen, computer
technician at Sulphur Springs Livestock, shows the features of the program.

Wednesday, July 20, 2005, will be a "red-letter" day in the history of Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission Company, when buyers will be able to purchase cattle over the internet for the first time. "We've been installing the software and working toward this day for several months now," denoted Kathy McGowen, computer technician at the livestock commission company. "We're encouraging buyers to register and watch the sale or better yet, make a bid on a lot of calves."

"It is just a sign of the technology that is available," denotes David Fowler, co-owner of the livestock commission company. "It is a convenience to the buyer and with gasoline prices as high as they are and with travel time at a premium, it will allow buyers to sit in their office or easy chair and bid on cattle!"

"I think we are going to see more of this type buying in the future," states Joe Don Pogue. "When time is of essence, this allows someone to look at the cattle and make their bids, without even leaving home. And, that is a definite convenience!"

The NETBIO program has been one of the most successful livestock marketing concepts in Northeast Texas. It is a process of grouping like cattle together and offering them in uniform lots to the buyer. And, they have already been weaned, vaccinated, and are ready to be transferred to the feedlot.

Feeder calves like these are grouped according to size and similar conformation and offered to
buyers in uniform lots to be delivered to the feedlots.

"The NETBIO program, Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization, has been well received by beef producers all across the area," stated Gene Marts, Yard Foreman at Sulphur Springs Livestock. "The premium price they receive for their cattle makes the extra steps in marketing worth the time and effort."

Gene Marts and Kathy McGowen go over the grouping of cattle for the NETBIO Sale that will
be conducted at Sulphur Springs Livestock on Wednesday, July 20th.

"And, we've developed quite a reputation among the buyers of feeder cattle," inserts Kathy McGowen. "We're known far and wide for the quality of cattle that are available and send out flyers all across the southwest. We'll typically attract 30 to 35 buyers in a normal sale."

"We plan on selling 3000 to 3200 head that have been consigned to the July 20th sale," denotes Marts. "Those cattle will represent about 90 individual beef producers who are selling from one to 400 head."

This group of steer calves will more than likely be purchased by a feedlot in the High Plains of
West Texas or possibly go to an individual feeder who want a uniform group to feed out.

"Our largest NETBIO Sale was in November of 2003, when we sold over seven thousand head in one sale," stated Fowler. "That was a great success and seems that the quality of cattle in each sale continues to get better and better."

"Another offering in the NETBIO Sales is an added feature of uniform groups of replacement quality heifers, " states Marts. "This is a group of heifers that have the confirmation to make good "mama" cows and offers a way for many beef producers to find the replacement females they need or market their quality heifer calves. It's been a popular segment of the sales and we will market about 200 such females at the July 20th sale."

Uniform groups of replacement quality heifers will be offered at the sale on July 20th.

"We encourage potential buyers to go to the website at www.sslivestockauctions.com and register early for the sale on Wednesday," encourages McGowen. "And, if they have any questions, they can contact us at (903)885-2455."

Personnel at Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission Company expects the sale on Wednesday to last approximately two hours and with the cattle market holding steady, some premium prices will be received for the quality livestock.

If you're in the market for quality feeder cattle, plan on being at Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission Company on Wednesday, July 20th at 1:00 p.m., when the sale starts.

Or, if you are interested in marketing your cattle through the NETBIO program, give one of the friendly employees at the commission company a call and learn the necessary steps to market through the system.