101 Livestock Auction & Feed offers more than just livestock sales
BLACKWELL, ARK. – Since August 2003, 101 Livestock Auction and Feed has been serving the Blackwell, Ark., community and much of the surrounding area. Since 2008, Owner John Knight has been at the helm of the company and he spends much of his time consulting on customer livestock needs.
The entire staff, from sales to hauling, have many years of experience in various aspects of the industry. Several of the employees have been there for close to 15 years, if not more.
David Hutchins is the 101 Livestock office manager and is most familiar with the financial aspects of the market. He manages all the finances and record-keeping for each part of the company’s sales and services. This gives him a knowledge of all aspects of what the company does for its customers.
The auction is every Saturday at noon and include goats, horses, sheep and cattle.
The biggest change in their sales has been that there has become a high demand for slaughter cows and bulls.
“The prices are just astronomical because people are holding on to their cattle,” he said.
Not just everyone is allowed to buy or sell cattle. Everyone must be pre-authorized, which is a process that the staff is available to assist people with doing.
The weekly auctions are by far not the only service offered through 101. David gave a brief overview of each service, all of which are also provided on the company’s website.
Pre-conditioned calf program: “University studies have shown that preconditioned calves can bring significant dividends to those that are willing to take the extra steps necessary to make sure that they have done all they can to improve the health of the calves that are about to be marketed,” according to the 101 website. “Stocker operators and feed lots can ill afford losses and are glad to pay premiums for calves that qualify for this program.”
All forms and affidavits required for this program are available on the 101 website.
Veterinarian Services: 101 Livestock veterinarians offer basic veterinary services, including castration, vaccinations, worming, pest control, ear tags, semen checks, pregnancy checks, and tric testing.
“We are a full-service sale barn,” David said. “We offer that affer the sale or we’ll go work it on the farm.”
Hauling Services: The hauling services include “one to 400,” David said.
The website provides more detail to potential customers.
“We haul cattle for sale into the barn and purchased cattle back to the farm at very reasonable rates,” it reads. “We also haul farm to farm for our customers during the week.”
Portable Corral Rental: “Our portable corrals are real nice,” David said, adding that they can be set up on the customer’s farm and it’s the same corrals used when they work cattle on the company property.
Working Cattle: Want to own cattle but not work them yourself? 101 can do it for you. Service includes castrating bull calves, de-horning, vaccination and worming and fly control, David said.
Feed: The most recently added product or service is selling bulk feed at the sale barn, including a 12 percent pellet and 16 percent custom blend that can “feed to anything,” David said. Lick tubs and 50-pound bags of mineral are also available.
While many variable could influence the business’ future, David said he and the team were confident and optimistic.
“We’re very optimistic that it will stay good or get better,” he said, adding that the entire staff “goes the extra mile to be a full-service sales barn.
“We are home-owned and home-grown,” he said.
For more information, visit 101livestockauction.com.
