I have spent much time learning about the cattle selling/buying process, and it continues to amaze me. Pedigree, EPD’s, cost, size, foot score, and age are all among the factors that we pay close attention to. Over the past few weeks, we have been going over the sale catalog for the Spring Production Sale at Hinkle’s Prime Cut Angus in Nevada, Missouri, hoping to find just the right donor cow prospects for us. We spent time printing off EPD’s and comparing them to our current donor cows to decide on the ones that would be the best choices for our needs on our farm. After all the hard paperwork, we loaded up and drove to Missouri. We were able to take the kids, and were excited to visit Kenny and Janyce’s farm to see all the cattle that were going to be sold. Drake, Miles, and Kastyn had their pens and papers in hand looking at the cattle and making their own opinions on which ones they liked. I spent time looking at all the cattle, and took time to see all of our cattle that we had previously brought out there for the sale. My eye isn’t as trained as some, and my mind would wander to where each one of the cattle would go after they sold. Keith and Robbie spent much time looking at all the cattle we were interested in, judging their appearance and comparing them to how they all looked on paper. Beverly took photos and videos of the cattle for us to look over at the hotel to further judge their appearances. After much consideration on a few different cows, Keith and Robbie decided to partner with our friend, Dr. Jeff Gower of Soaring Eagle Farms, to purchase the donors that we were all interested in. As the sale began, the cattle were brought in to the sale ring one by one, and I was excited and paid very close attention to all of them. We had it narrowed down to 3 or possibly 4 cows, but we were unsure whether the auction would go in our favor. There was one particular cow that we were interested in, but we knew she would sell very high, and I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen. When her lot came up and the bidding started, I tried to keep calm and just listen to what was going on. The price quickly jumped to $80,000…then before I knew what was happening it was over $100,000. The bidding ended at $112,500. I was excited that our friends had been blessed with such a bounty for the well-bred cow that they had presented, and for the fortunate Angus breeders that paid the price. The bidding went well for us and our friend, and we were able to purchase 3 new donor cows for our farms. All of our cattle sold and we were pleased with the results. All the Angus breeders had done their homework. They had gotten the cattle that they wanted for their farms. They had all done the math, carefully judged the cattle’s appearances, looked at EPD’s, and knew what they were willing to spend. There were many that sold higher than some of the others, but in the end all the cattle were purchased. All of those cattle were bought with a price. Paid for in varying amounts by their new owners to be taken to their new homes. They were all chosen to be a part of someone’s farm. All of us have been chosen and bought with a price as well, but we all cost the same. God paid the ultimate price by sending his only Son to die so that we can one day live in our new home in Heaven. Thankfully, God doesn’t look at our age, size, foot scores or pedigrees. He doesn’t have EPD’s on all of us and check the website weekly to see if we have improved or declined. He doesn’t keep a score card of rights versus wrongs. He loves us and there is nothing that can make Him love us more or make Him love us less. All of our worth is the same in God’s eyes. All He wants from us is to accept the price He paid for us–Jesus! As Easter approaches, may we keep our minds fixed on Jesus and the price He paid for us. Let us not forget the miracle of the Resurrection that promises us eternal life with Him in heaven for those of us who believe. Let us not forget that we are His chosen.
“What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance.” Psalms 33:12
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12
