Sale scenes

Thought I would share a couple of the pics I took at the bull sale I (survived many hours of driving and roadwork to) attend this week.

This was an on-property sale, which means that all the buyers travelled to the vendor’s property. (Bull sales – which tend to mostly take place from September to November each year – are usually in big sale arenas in major town centres.)

Lots of infrastructure needs to be in place (catering facilities, sale ring, seating and shelter for those attending etc) if you are to conduct a sale on property. And an unbelievable amount of work goes into getting cattle prepared, documented and photographed, brochures and sale catalogues designed printed and sent out, newspaper and television advertising done and venue preparation completed.

Makes me tired just contemplating it.

In this case, the property was only a few kilometres from town (and therefore from accommodation for potential buyers) making it an appealing venue. The owners have purpose-built this sale ring with covered stands, auctioneer’s box and sorting yard. I didn’t have time (or ask for permission) to get shots of the wonderful house and gardens belonging to the owners, just a couple of hundred metres from the saleyards. (It is gorgeous – large and cool and wonderful.)

All focus was on the sale ring, with action aplenty and auctioneers fielding subtle bids from wanna-be buyers.

My focus, of course, also wandered to the characters nearby.

The wonderful work and sun-worn hands of a lady nearby, jotting down the prices of the bulls sold. Check out the bling!

And the chain-smoking gent bringing up each pen of bulls for the sale ring. I did try to get a shot without the fag hanging from his lips, but to no avail.

(The young fellow behind was chastised for not wearing a hat. He paid for it, with some very rosy cheeks.)

I also loved this image, of some of the workers lined up and cooling down after a hard day behind the scenes.

The building they are leaning against is an old shearing shed. Very cool.

Am about to send of the ‘serious’ pics to the vendors of this sale. But thought you guys might enjoy a glimpse of the workings of this bush event.

🙂

BB