Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction, Inc.
Owner: Claude Smith
Location: Harrison, Ark.
History: Claude Smith has been involved with and around sale barns all his life, working in the barns in Mountain Home and Green Forest, Ark., prior to taking control of Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction in Harrison, Ark., six years ago. The auction building was relocated from downtown Harrison to this new location just outside of town about 20 years ago by George Wallace. Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction has the largest under-roof holding facility in northern Arkansas. The auction arena itself can hold over 200 people, but the usual group of around 100 includes buyers representing eight or nine different states.
Services: Cattlemen’s has a weekly sale on Wednesdays beginning at noon. Cattle to be sold can be brought in early and will be fed and watered at no charge to the seller. Special cow sales are also held periodically and the dates are advertised. There is also a monthly goat sale on the third Friday, starting at 6 p.m. Included in the services at the barn is an on-site vet.
Cattlemen’s Restaurant inside the barn is open during every sale and manager Lee Harrison welcomes everyone to try his hamburgers.
Business Philosophy: Claude said, “Without farmers, this place wouldn’t be here.” He tries to keep that in mind all the time. “They trust me to market their cattle and get the best price possible, and that’s always my primary goal. Trust is a big thing with me. We also try to move the cattle in and out with as little stress as possible,” he said. Claude added that to reduce the stress, he intends to add more fans and a better sprinkler system so the cattle are more comfortable. He would like to keep improving and get the barn better and better.
Claude would like to give credit where credit is due. He said, “The good Lord has blessed me. This business wouldn’t have went without Him.”
Story and Photo by Jack and Pam Fortner
