The Farm Auction
As the sun was trying to shine through the cloud cover, 150 farmers stood watching, listening and bidding on farm equipment at a farm sale in north central Missouri this morning. The equipment up for auction was in good condition and well cared for. Those in attendance came ready to bid. At a little after 10:00 the Chant of the auctioneer began.
I was just a spectator today. I attended to one, get a picture that showed the feel and anticipation of a farm auction and two, because it was a beautiful morning and I had some time before I was due to pick up a little one from preschool. If you have never been to a farm auction, let me break it down for you and give you a sense of what it is like.
First off you have the farmer who is selling the equipment. In this case the farmer has decided to retire and sell his machinery. He has already rented the land to another farmer to farm and chose the auction route to disperse of things he no longer needs. During the auction he is available to answer questions and talk about the machinery he used for years. For he knows it like no other and that is one of the appeals of buying equipment this way. You have direct access to someone who can tell you if there are any quirks or issues with what you’re wanting to bid on.
Next comes the Auctioneer and his Auction Company. They are in charge of the day, but are hired by the farmer to do the best sale possible. They inventory the items to be sold, put a sale bill together and advertise the sale. I do not know first hand what all goes into putting an auction together, but I do know that your auctioneer needs to be knowledgeable about what he is selling, have a good chant, and be able to interact with the bidders. Farm auctions are unique in that everyone there has something in common; farming and agriculture. So if the auctioneer does not know what he is talking about, everyone there will know.
Finally we have the bidders. Anyone with a valid drivers license or ID can acquire a bidders number for an auction. Once you begin bidding on an item, you need to have your number handy. When you are the last one with the bid, you give your number and they now know who owns the item. Farmers are fun to watch because they all have a unique way of bidding and looking when then bid. I have seen farmers carry on a conservation with someone else, all the while bidding on an item with a slight movement of their hand or head. When a farmer turns his back and walks away, you know he is “OUT” and no longer in the bidding.
At farm auctions you run into your neighbor, the farmer from the next county, or sometimes someone who travels quite a distance to be there. Farmers that attend farm auctions come in all shapes, sizes, ages and attire. All usually come wearing a cap given to them by the local seed guy, the local elevator or the local farm dealership. All are looking for good machinery at a price they are willing to pay. Farm auctions are unique, exciting and necessary so that those who are done can pass on what they have for others to use.
Blessings to you and this retired farmer and his family,
Laurie – Country Link
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Great picture. I love auctions. My mom has worked part time for an auctioneer for as long as I can remember and so I’ve grown up around them. It’s just such a great atmosphere and lots of fun even if you don’t buy anything.
Exactly Erin! Love the atmosphere and the feel of an auction. Really any auction. Most of the furniture in our house came from auctions.
Farm auctions, bull sales, going to the sale barn, fund raisers, county fair, etc. are such an important social part of rural communities.
Glad you had a chance to take in the action.
Was the perfect day for an auction Robyn. Most of us had been cooped up for too long, so to get out and breath in some fresh country air, was wonderful. 🙂
Thanks for linking up to the Country Fair Blog Party! Love this piece of our rural lifestyle. 🙂
Thanks for hosting in Nicole!! What a fun way to visit and check out new blogs and projects. Nothing like a good auction!
What a great picture and story 🙂 When I was young, my father brought me to local auctions on the weekend. There’s something magical and exciting in the air at auctions… always a bit of fun 🙂
So true Caitlin! I like all kinds of auctions, but have furnished most of our house with deals from household auctions. When we lived out in west, west, west Kansas, it was one of the things to go to as a social event. Now have many treasures in our home because of that. Thanks you taking the time to stop by!
I miss farm auctions. They were always very interesting as a kid. I haven’t been to one in quite some time.
Always something to see and lots of good people watching at a farm auction. Thanks for stopping by Colby!
Welcome! And you’re right. It was both entertaining and educational. There were always lots of things around that I had never seen before as a kid. I always liked learning what they were and what they did.
When we would go to the farm auctions in western Kansas, there were many times we would see a piece of equipment and think, “What IS that?” Amazing the how the equipment varies from region to region. 🙂
Yep! And older farmers always seem to have very antiquated things. Always very neat to see.
Nostalgia! I miss going to auctions with my GrandDad. All the Carhartt Jackets and coveralls. The fast talking I never could quite understand, but was fascinated by. Miss all that farm activity! Thanks for taking us down memory lane, Miss Link!
I think the fast talking is what I like the best! Trying to keep up and follow along is part of the fun, even when I get lost. So glad I could take you down memory lane! Thanks for stopping by.