Auction Marts Dealing With Increased Numbers

Jul 16, 2021

It's a busy time for livestock auction marts.

Harold Unrau is manager of Grunthal Livestock Auction Mart.

"We're starting to see more cattle rolling through the ring here, all because of drought of course. The further north you go, the worse the drought is. They're trying to figure out what they're going to do with their cattle because they're running out of pasture. We actually had some cattle in here from up at Fisher Branch because they are out of grass. Locally here, if we get a rain here this week or beginning of next week, I think our producers will kind of be okay, at least most of them. If we don't get a rain for the next week or two, they're going to be out of pasture and the hay is really in short supply."

Unrau says normally throughout the summer they see about 100 head a week. This year that number is around 300.

He adds they are currently gearing up for an early fall run.

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Video: Veteran Farmers: A Legacy of Service in Rural America

Veterans Day is a time to honor the men and women who have selflessly protected our freedoms and values. And for some, the transition from military service to civilian life brings them back to the farm.

At Farm Bureau, we believe it’s important to not only celebrate veterans but also those who continue to make a difference in agriculture and their community. We've partnered with Farm Credit to establish the Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence to shine a light on those who have continued to go above and beyond to serve their communities.

This year, we recognize retired Colonel Joe Ricker as the inaugural Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence winner. Joe served over 30 years in the Army before retiring from the Pentagon and completing tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Since leaving the Army, his commitment to excellence in farming and enriching the lives of veterans has blossomed in a myriad of ways in both his local community of Wilkinson, Indiana, and across the country. Joe grows apples and raises bees on his farm in Indiana. Joe founded “Veterans IN Farming,” an organization, now with more than 1,100 members, dedicated to providing veterans in Indiana with the tools and training to succeed in agriculture.

The American Farm Bureau Federation is an independent, non-governmental, voluntary organization, comprised of and directed by farm and ranch families who engage in all types of food, fuel and fiber production.