PDCA holds calf sale
PONTIAC – The 73rd calf sale from the Illinois Purebred Dairy Cattle Association took on a new look this year as it was held at a different venue.
The Livingston County Ag Fairgrounds was the site for the event held Saturday near Pontiac. The new location allows the sale to utilize an enclosed building. Gathering under a roof came in handy this year as scattered showers impacted the area.
Jersey, Ayrshire, Milking Shorthorn, Brown Swiss and Holstein were the breeds included.
“We’ve got something for all different breeds, mostly heifer calves and calves you are going to have kids buy to show,” explained Darren Ropp, PDCA sale chairman.
Prizes were offered to juniors who bought animals and a showmanship clinic for kids started off the morning activities. The actual sale started after lunch with an impressive crowd on hand. Those who could not attend in person could bid online through Cowbuyer which provided real time bidding to pre-approved buyers.
Although this is mainly an Illinois sale, some cattle came from Iowa and Wisconsin.
“The cattle can go anywhere in the country since it is on Cowbuyer,” Ropp said.
Illinois Purebred Dairy Cattle Association provides scholarships for kids and money for showmanship winners at the Illinois State Fair. According to Ropp, they give back whatever they gain out of this sale which is always held in early April.
The PDCA annual meeting was held prior to the sale. Illinois PDCA officers include Andy Lenkaitis of St. Charles (president), Herb Schmiedeskamp of Camp Point (vice president), Mary Faber of Pontiac (secretary), Gene McCoy of Savoy (treasurer) and Ken Ropp of Normal (IMPA).
Bellflower Feeds donated 500 pounds of calf feed for the sale animals and the Illinois Jersey Juniors provided breakfast and lunch.
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