Jon Angell

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With the April edition, I know Spring is upon us with stray bouts of winterish weather from here forward promise to be shortlived. With the rebirth of spring and all its benefits, for most of our readership comes both responsibility of stewardship and a flurry of all sorts of labor. I count both as a blessing.

Upfront we have a story about the benefits of growing and grazing milo in a livestock operation. For most of us, we are still running short of normal moisture by a large measure. Now is a good time to rethink and plan to add milo to cover some of the feed deficits.

Again, in this issue, we cover numerous stories from the packing and processing industry. From closings and openings, profits and losses, hiring and firing, to all kinds of legal issues, this was a heavy news month downstream from production animal agriculture.

Last month on March 8, Eastern Missouri Commission Company hosted its first Border Wars Auctioneer Contest. By all accounts, it was an overwhelmingly successful event. The event was conceived and organized by Cody Hanold, an Illinois and EMCC auctioneer, with the help of Lori VanMaanen, EMCC owner/office manager.

I asked Cody how the idea came about and his answer wasn’t exactly what I was expecting. He tells me that he has participated in several auctioneer contests which involved a lot of time, expense and travel, but the experience and comraderie among the auctioneers was worth it. All these contests promote auctions and auctioneering for “true price discovery.”

They make better auctioneers.

Cody went on to say he thought the talent pool of auctioneers in Missouri and surrounding states was outstanding. Judges for the contest were Jacob Massey, Heath Spracklen, and Cory Craig, who had criteria in part that included bid catching, chant, rhythm and even a category described as “would you hire this auctioneer for your auction?”

It was a chance to not only showcase these talents, but also allow younger up and coming auctioneers another option that would involve less travel and expense as a stepping stone in preparation for the national and international contests.

Once again, making better auctioneers.

Not only was the event for showcasing and advancing the auction process, the contest had a charity component. The featured charity was First Candle. This organization is committed to ending Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related infant deaths while providing bereavement support to families who have experienced a loss.

Fundraising included auctioning a donated steer and several donations from auctioneers and the attendees. Also, a People’s Choice contest was held in which the audience at a dollar a vote was allowed to judge the auctioneers for the crowd favorite.

The People’s Choice Auctioneer winner was awarded to Justin Dodson, congratulations.

First Candle has been at work for more than 35 years in reducing infant deaths and supporting families and events like this and others keep them at their important mission. Organizers, participants, and the spectators can be applauded for raising well over $4,000 for such a worthy cause.

For those that missed the contest and would like to see some talented auctioneers, the finals of the contest were videoed and have been posted to the EMCC Facebook page. Also, congratulations to this year’s winners, see them on page 24 in the EMCC ad.

The organizers felt that the contest went more smoothly than expected and was so well received that they have announced that they intend to hold the event again next year.

Mark your calendar for the Second Border Wars Livestock Auctioneer Contest, March 14, 2025, where they plan once again to feature the craft of auctioneering, raise funds for a worthy charity and of course, make better auctioneers.

Elsewhere in this issue, I would like to point out that Justin made a little extra effort writing this month. We split his column into two pieces; on page 6 you will find largely what I hired him to do, excluding some investment related stuff that I squashed. Now I use the term hired loosely as I don’t actually pay him, so it’s hard to weld any leverage on keeping him on task.

Also, we sorted off starting on page 19 some of his writing that is still good to read, but a bit diverted down the rabbit trails that keeps him distracted. This might be a good solution for a few problems this rogue columnist causes for me. Division and redaction seem like tools that I must become more comfortable pulling from my tool box.

I’ve talked many times about the Product of the USA label on beef and my stance that I think it has been misused and deceptive. On page 17, the AFF has a column that gives the argument from the side of many, including the major packers, NCBA, several major cattle feeders etc. Then on Page 22, Bill Bullard gives an entirely different perspective.

I know where I stand on the issue, but I bring this to your attention as I want to be sure to point out I am more than willing to print various opinions and arguments on issues.

On my own rabbit trail of slightly divergent, was an article I have brought to you on page 18 that I thought was relevant in our current “open border” invasion situation. I believe borders are important. I believe controlled immigration is important. And as much as those on the left tell you that our diversity is a strength in the USA, I disagree. Unity and assimilation to common beliefs and national expectations are strengths.

Massive migration of people who have completely different beliefs, motivations and no interest in assimilation to become AMERICAN is destroying the country.

That’s it, I’m out of time and space. I’m off to spread fertilizer and jump fully into my Springtime work. Thanks for reading and your continued support as we continue to improve and grow.

Send questions, story ideas, criticism, encouragement to:
Jon Angell
Publisher CA
PO Box C
Centralia MO 65240