Taking bids Fast-talking Al Wessel (far left) was one of the auctioneers at the Tri-County Livestock Auction feeder sale June 10. Approximately 4,700 head of cattle were auctioned off that day, with buyers coming from states including Iowa, Colorado, South Dakota, Minnesota and Texas. Pictured with Wessel (a competitor in the recent World Livestock Auctioneer Championship in Fergus Falls) are Tri- County manager Wayne Hoffman, Fred Frieler (ringman, in front); Adrienne Lambert and Deb Gall. (Staples World photo by Dawn Schimpp Timbs) Tri-County Livestock Auction in Motley - For farmers and ranchers, it's the place to be on Wednesdays.

Some come to sell cattle, hogs and sheep; and others to buy. A few stop by religiously to meet up with old farming friends over a cup of coffee; or to listen as award-winning Auctioneer Al Wessel pitches another verbal fastball.

"I come here quite a bit; sell in the fall, buy in the spring," said Barney Mc- Coy, a 76 year old farmer from Leader who came out for the special 28th Anniversary Feeder Sale June 10.

Owner Joe Varner has owned the Tri-County Livestock Auction in Motley for the past ten years. He purchased it from Wayne Hoffman and John Eischeid, both of Motley, who built it in 1981 and continue to manage the facility. (Staples World photos by Dawn Schimpp Timbs) Hundreds of people made the pilgrimage to Motley that day; and Tri- County's parking lot was loaded with trucks and trailers donning license plates from a variety of states, including Kansas, Texas, Iowa, Minnesota, Colorado, Nebraska, North and South Dakota.

"We had over 4,700 head of cattle come through here," said Wayne Hoffman, who co-manages the salesbarn with John Eischeid.

Wayne and John, both of Motley, built Tri-County Livestock Auction in 1981, but sold it to Joe Varner of Pierz about 10 years ago.

"He was our only competition," Wayne said recently of Joe, who now owns a total of 15 sales barns throughout the Midwest.

However, Wayne added; he and John still own one of the buildings adjacent to the Auction Market, as well as the livestock pens and 180 acres of property used to grow oats and corn for silage.

Enjoying the steak Herb and Elsie Hanson of Motley enjoyed a free meal (including steaks, brats and potato salad) at the Tri-County Livestock Auction in Motley recently. Over 500 people were served at the special 28th Anniversary Feeder Sale held June 10. "We run a feed yard," John explained; adding that he and Wayne wean cattle for others; making sure they're well fed and are vaccinated before they're shipped to their next home. They usually have anywhere from 300 - 800 cattle at their feedlot, John said.

Wayne bought 500 head of cattle himself at the sale June 10; and John also bought cattle for a customer of his.

The Tri-County Livestock Auction runs every Wednesday. During regular sales, butcher hogs, sows, boars and sheep are sold in the morning; and cattle are auctioned off beginning at 1 p.m.

The special feeder sale June 10, however, was devoted entirely to cattle.

"It was one of the biggest

sales in the history of

Motley," Joe said recently. "4,700 head of cattle...they

Heading home Mike Feenstra (left) and Garry Bultje from Corsica, S.D. traveled over 800 miles 'round trip June 10, to bid on some drug free cattle at the Tri-County Livestock Auction in Motley. The men headed back home that evening, happy about the 436 head of cattle they had purchased. "We got what we came for," Garry said, adding that seven trucks were coming from back home to take the cattle back. all sold," he added.

Joe said he attributes the success of Tri-County to the skills of Wayne and John. "They're good managers," he said.

It was quite an accomplishment for producers as well as his sales barns the week of June 10, Joe continued. "From Monday through Friday we sold 15,000 head of cattle...we have the biggest buying power in the Midwest," he added.

The majority of cattle sold at Tri-County Livestock Auction come from northern and central Minnesota; and parts of Wisconsin.

Buyers come from all over.

Garry Bultje and Mike Feenstra, from Corsica, S.D., left at 2:30 a.m. June 10, driving 400 miles oneway for a chance to bid on some drug-free cattle they'd heard about from Mike's feed man.

'Drug-free,' Wayne explained, means that cattle have not been given antibiotics, feed additives; or implants. "They can be vaccinated, though," he added.

The guys from South Dakota got what they came for.

"We bought 436 head of

cattle, all drug-free," Mike

said later in the afternoon. "Seven trucks are on their

way here from back home; it was definitely worth the trip."

Albert Werner from Perham was also happy with the outcome of the feeder sale; and reported selling 404 head of steers, weighing from approximately 500 - 950 pounds.

"Now I can sell my corn instead of feeding it to the cattle," Albert added.

Cattle prices fluctuate, Joe said. "These days I'd say it's bringing in anywhere from 85 cents a pound to $1.26 a pound." Although he's optimistic about the business, Joe said that today's economy has definitely affected the cattle sales industry.

Wayne agreed; stating that in just a few weeks time cattle weighing 1,000 pounds went from selling at 93 - 94 cents a pound down to 86 - 90 cents a pound.

"Cattle futures have dropped in the last few weeks," Wayne said. "People with money play the mercantile exchange, which could be anything... gas, houses, cattle," he explained.

The prices may fluctuate, but the process of buying and selling cattle at Tri- County has remained fairly consistent, Wayne said.

Dr. Kathy Marcussen, owner of the Staples Veterinary Clinic, has been working with Wayne and John at Tri-County since about 1983.

Her job is to inspect all of the cattle that come through the gate.

"If it's a big sale, this might start two or three days before the auction," Wayne said. "There's no way she could look over 4,000 head of cattle in one day."

In addition to making sure they look healthy, Dr. Marcussen checks to make sure none of the heifers are pregnant; and does all of the required government paperwork.

Once they enter the premises, the cattle are also separated and put into different categories according to color and weight.

When the sale is over, Dr. Marcussen handles any other required paperwork; and fulfills the requests of the buyers. "Some people might need ear-tags put on their cattle going out-ofstate; or they'll ask to have their bulls castrated," she said.

During a light sale, this process doesn't take long; but there have been times when they've all watched the sun come up, Dr. Marcussen said.

"I think we were here until at least two in the morning last week," she added, in reference to the special feeder sale.

Joe, John and Wayne make sure that no one goes hungry when they're at Tri-County.

"All of the workers get supper; and a lot of people come for lunch on Wednesdays," said Mary Brown, from Leader, who helps prepare meals at the Tri-County kitchen, along with Cindy Hanson, also of Leader; and Gayle Quinn, Motley.

"We're usually here the night before, getting things cleaned up; and making cookies, pies, rolls and sandwiches," Gayle said.

"People like to come here for our famous chili," Mary laughed.

During the Anniversary Sale, Joe treated everyone (customers, employees and even this reporter) to a picnic out on the grounds... serving over 500 steaks, 300 brats; and plenty of potato salad and lemonade to go around.

Yep...people gotta eat; and Joe and his crew are helping to make sure that everyone's well fed on choice beef.

"I've been in this business all my life," Joe said. "It's what I do...I love it."