DES MOINES Rob Long believes spending money on good genetics should not stop because of a lower fed cattle market.

Long, who farms near Creston, sold the top-selling bull at this years. His Simmental bull brought $15,000 to top the breed sale.

With the economy the way it is, its not the time to keep the status quo, Long says. I think we need to focus on the best attributes and buy those bulls that are going to bring value to your operation.

The Southwest Iowa producer says there was a good deal of interest in the bull ahead of the expo.

There was some uniqueness in his pedigree, and that attracted some people, Long says. It showed us that people were still willing to spend money on quality genetics. I think were seeing that this year with this bull.

Commercial producers know spending money on quality genetics will pay off over the long haul, says Kevin Mohrfeld. The West Point producer had the top-selling Angus bull at the expo, bringing $12,000.

Most of our customers are commercial produces, and they are really interested in performance, he says. With prices down, they really want those good genetics.

He says his bull attracted a fair amount of interest from potential buyers ahead of the sale.

They really liked his performance, his overall balance and how his EPDs (expected progeny differences) looked, Mohrfeld says. Weve had the second highest selling bull a couple of times. It was nice to be at the top of the sale this year.

Listed here are complete sale results from this years expo Feb. 12-19.

Angus

The top-selling bull, consigned by Kevin Mohrfeld of West Point, sold for $12,000 to David Deal of Danvers, Ill.

The top-selling female, consigned by Ron Buch of Luzerne, sold for $7,500 to Lyle Olson of Red Oak.

A total of 61 bulls sold for an average price of $4,273. A total of 35 females sold for an average price of $3,325. One embryo lot sold for $3,000.

Charolais

The top-selling bulls, consigned by North Grove Charolais of Grove City, Minn., and Shepherd Charolais of Stuart, sold for $5,500 to Kurt Neff of Blackfoot, Idaho, and Brad Kresak of Milligan, Neb., respectively.

The top-selling female, consigned by North Grove Charolais of Grove City, Minn., sold for $7,500 to Lance Van Roekel of Larchwood.

A total of 43 bulls sold for an average price of $2,990. A total of 36 females sold for an average price of $2,797. Nine embryo lots sold for an average price of $492.

Gelbvieh

The top-selling bull, consigned by Blackhawk Cattle Co./Lazy JV Ranch of Oregon, Ill., sold for $8,400 to Bar Arrow Cattle Co. of Phillipsburg, Kan.

The top-selling female, consigned by Kirkwood Community College of Cedar Rapids, sold for $4,500 to Adelyn Sienknecht of Gladbrook.

A total of 13 bulls sold for an average price of $3,762. A total of 26 females sold for an average price of $2,602.

Hereford

The top-selling bull, consigned by Lorenzen Farms of Chrisman, Ill., sold for $10,200 to Donn Jibben of Fort Worth, Texas.

The top-selling female, consigned by Wiese & Sons of Manning, sold for $7,000 to Express Ranches of Yukon, Okla.

A total of 41 bulls sold for an average price of $3,655. A total of 31 females sold for an average price of $3,347.

Limousin

The top-selling bull, consigned by Deb Vorthmann of Silver City, sold for $5,600 to Vorthmann Limousin of Treynor.

The top-selling female, consigned by Boesch Farms of Indianola, sold for $2,950 to Shelby Skinner of Bolivar, Mo.

A total of 24 bulls sold for an average price of $3,396. A total of nine females sold for an average price of $2,289.

Lowline

The top-selling bull, sold by Swanquist Spring Brook Farm of Lagro, Ind., sold for $1,300 to Randy Larson of Sumner.

The top-selling female, consigned by Reinken Cattle Co. of Boone, sold for $4,400 to Ray Gaskill of Boone.

A total of 16 females sold for an average price of $2,266. One steer sold for a price of $850. Nine semen lots sold for an average price of $228.

Maine-Anjou

The top-selling bull, consigned by Braun Show Cattle of Northwood, sold for $4,100 to Mark Roges of Douds.

The top-selling female, consigned by Jordan Crall of Albia, sold for $4,900 to Jodi Opperman of Manning.

A total of nine bulls sold for an average price of $2,256. A total of 16 females sold for an average price of $1,928.

Miniature Hereford

The top-selling bull, consigned by Smith Mini Herefords of Fairfield, sold for $3,000 to Karly Biddle of Walcott.

The top-selling female, consigned by Allison Gooden of Bloomfield, sold for $5,000 to C & B Farms LLC of Mineral Point, Wis.

A total of four bulls sold for an average price of $2,350. A total of eight females sold for an average price of $4,100. A total of five steers sold for an average price of $830. One flush lot sold for $2,800. Three semen lots sold for an average price of $380.

Red Angus

The top-selling bull, consigned by Ulrich Red Angus of Good Thunder, Minn., sold for $5,800 to Dave Runner of Gilman.

The top-selling female, consigned by Finch Cattle of Kelley, sold for $4,300 to Alex Wilson of Ogden.

A total of 22 bulls sold for an average price of $3,282. A total of 25 females sold for an average price of $2,862.

Three embryo lots sold for an average price of $2,234.

One flush lot sold for $5,000.

Salers

The top-selling bull, consigned by T-Bone Cattle Co. of Osceola, sold for $4,200 to Bill Edwards of Wayland.

The top-selling female, consigned by Barnes Farms of Lamoni, sold for $5,500 to McIvers Happy Acres Farm of Farwell, Minn.

A total of 10 bulls sold for an average price of $2,770. A total of nine females sold for an average price of $2,766.

Shorthorn

The top-selling bull, consigned by Nate Studer Family of Creston, sold for $10,000 to Glenrothes Farm George D. Brown of Beaverton, Ontario.

The top-selling female, consigned by Ryan & Steve Laughlin of Imogene, sold for $5,500 to Kaden Wilson of Creston.

A total of 14 bulls sold for an average price of $4,429. A total of 32 females sold for an average price of $2,527. Five embryo lots sold for an average price of $518. Four semen lots sold for an average price of $201.

Simmental

The top-selling bull, consigned by Rob Long of Creston, sold for $15,000 to Loonan Stock Farm of Corning.

The top-selling female, consigned by GSJG Matt Greiman Family of Goodell, sold for $8,500 to Brittain Cattle of Earlham.

A total of 83 bulls sold for an average price of $3,553. A total of 47 females sold for an average price of $2,878. Fifteen embryo lots sold for an average price of $405. One pregnancy lot sold for $4,200.

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Producers seek top genetics at Iowa sale event - Iowa Farmer Today