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FARM & RANCH
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
DECEMBER 2021
Sale a tribute to Sandhills ranching legend
Auction Market.
Merriman. Disposition was also an important trait, and that was evi- dent in the sale ring. “It was hard to see the cattle go, but it was a right business decision,” Brock Moreland said. The cattle were sold because of a down-sizing due to dry conditions and the cost of feed. During the afternoon auction, the entire adult family was present. The cows had “lots of honest integrity,” said Greg Arendt, the man- ager of the sale barn. There was an opportu- nity to “add to your herd and do it in the right way.” When the first lot of pregnant black Angus cows of the 341 available were within the sale ring, the chant of the auctioneer began with bids quickly given and always increasing. A buyer fromKit Carson, Colorado, had an in- tent and with the simple
By JAMES E. DUCEY For The North Platte Telegraph Distinctive cat- tle raised by an iconic rancher of the Sandhills were recently dispersed at a liquidation sale. The Steve Moreland Estate sold cows and bred heifers Dec. 9 at the Valentine Livestock
“Dad was an astute cattleman and knew how to pick them,” and had built the herd since 1986, Brock Moreland said. “They represent his legacy.” The Angus were known for their consis- tency and uniformity, as raised at the Spearhead Ranch northeast of
FARM & R ANCH E XCHANGE Service Directory
Photos courtesy of James E. Ducey Cattle are driven down an alley before a sale at the Valentine Livestock Auction Market on Dec. 9
Ainsworth and Valentine areas. The cost of purchase did reach more than $2,400 for another lot. There were also some white- faced cattle that were sold. The auctioneer while the cows were sold was Mike Baxter. “There were excep- tional cattle” based upon a “lifetime of building a herd,” he said once his chant ended. “I have sold Moreland cattle for more than 30 years. Steve Moreland was a wonderful sup- porter of the Sandhills cattle industry. The prices paid were the highest and topped the days’ cow sales.” Later in the after- noon, several lots of 136 available bred year- ling heifers walked into the sale ring. Any bid to be paid for this class of cattle is sometimes less than that for cows, as the young moms do not have the same ex- perience of birthing a healthy calf. “Today was an honor- able time to show dad’s
flick of a buyer card bought one lot. This hap- pened again, as several times a premium price of over $2,000 per head was paid for dozens of cows. Other notable buy- ers were from the
efforts,” Will Moreland said. “These were the kind of cattle he worked hard to achieve.” The sandhills “were his heart and passion. He loved the sandhills and knew it as the best place on earth for cattle.” Steve Moreland was known for more than raising quality cattle. Most recently he post- ed daily on his blog and posted his Sandhills Soliloquy column in local newspapers. Previously he was well known as Soapweed. There was always a small digital camera in his pocket to capture scenes of hills’ places and events. Apparently, a compilation of writ- ings will be issued as a book. Steve Moreland passed in September 2021. Steve’s widow, Carol, nowmanages the Spearhead Ranch, along with Brock and Chelsie Moreland and Will and Desiree Moreland fam- ilies, with children representing the sixth generation as traditions continue.
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