Ag & Rancing 2022 - A Nevada News Group Special Publication
The Final Gavel Hits At Bulls For The 21st Century Bull Sale By Celeste Settrini The gavel hit for the final time on March 13th at the Snyder Livestock Bulls For The 21st Century Sale. Lucy Rechel made the announcement at the conclusion of the bull sale that this was the final year for the yearly spring event. It was also the last purebred sale for Colonel John Rodgers, 1986 World Champion Livestock Auctioneer. Though it was an emotional day filled with chapters closing it was also filled with the hope of new stories being created as two greats within our industry take some time to rest and revel in all the good that they have been blessed with over their many combined years within the beef industry. The weekend kicked off with Dr Dave Daley sharing his story of loss during the
Bear Fire in Butte County, California where he and his family lost a large portion of their cowherd due to the devastating wildfire. Dave shared the importance of bridging the gap between people who may have differing ideas than we ranchers do. He encouraged us to continue to share our stories but listen to the other side and see how we can best connect to come to better solutions. Saturday evening a lovely dinner/dance/auction raised money for the Boys and Girls Club in Yerington but on by the local Rotary. The night was filled with good music, delicious food and thousands of dollars raised for a great cause. Sunday brought the bull sale where a packed house was on hand to bid on a variety of bulls from ranch-
es throughout California and Nevada. Westwind Angus owned by Dave and Paula Holden was the Hi Point Angus Bull also winning the Champion Angus honors. The following were also honored: Champion Calving Ease Angus - Lancaster Ranch Champion Continental Gudel Cattle Co Champion Continental Calving Ease - Tom Easterly Champion Red Angus/ Brangus - Lana Trotter Champion Red Angus/Hereford/ Brangus - Romans Angus and Brangus The Lucy Award was awarded to Lana Trotter Colonel John Rodgers was honored for his years of dedication and service to the bull sale. John has been with the bull sale since it began. Lucy along with some of the ring crew John has worked with shared their short stories of
all he has contributed not only to the industry but to them personally. An emotional John Rodgers shared his love for the industry but most of all the people, he loves the people and was so thankful for the support he has gotten over his 50 years of being an auctioneer. Diana Cardey of Cardey Ranches summed it up best sharing, “ We love coming to this sale, we love the outcome, they do an outstanding job feeding the bulls and the cattle learn to adapt to cold and warm temperatures. We have brought bulls for 20 years and so enjoy it. The people are great and so is the food.” No matter who I visited with throughout the weekend the sentiments seem to mirror the thoughts from Diana. Everyone loves Lucy and the job she has done
PHOTO BY CELESTE SETTRINI Colonel John Rogers and Lucy Rechel exchange a goodbye hug as they end an era. over the years caring for the bulls, she treats them like they are her own. That in itself is success and why Snyder Livestock Bulls For The 21st Century has proven to be so successful over the years. Though the sale will not
be happening in the years ahead we all can relish in the fun, the top notch bulls, the great tri-tip lunch and the endless hospitality of the Snyder Family. Like the bull sale tagline says, it really is “ the best damn bull sale…… period.”