Chapter 10 Later Businesses

ADAMS' LIVESTOCK SALES

Ralph Adams started his cattle dealing business in 1937. First he bought a carload of canners for one cent a pound live weight. The total cost for the carload of twenty cattle was less than two hundred dollars.

In 1967 Ralph decided that if he were going to survive in the cat- tle business, he would have to follow the trend and learn the skill of auctioneering. He, therefore, took a course in Kansas, Missouri and became a licensed auctioneer.

His first auction was held outdoors on his farm. Temporary pens were built for the animals; customers sat on wagons. “It was a long, slow haul. The auction was something new to this area, and Islanders do not jump for everything new," recalled Ralph.

Farmers from all over the Island attended Ralph’s Livestock

Auctions in O’Leary to view and to buy some of the finest stock in 1 the Maritimes. ‘ In addition to his regular weekly livestock sales, Ralph held two major sales - one in the fall and one in the spring. Most of these sales were made on a consignment basis. Each consignment averaged from fifty to sixty head of cattle.

Ralph placed emphasis on quality. He and his son Gordon trav- elled to farms all over the Island looking for good quality, saleable cattle. He also considered advertising very important to sales. He made sure all farmers in the area were notified well in advance of a sale, and made early arrangements with the consignors. Cattle were brought to the farm three days prior to the sale, insured, fed, and, to ensure they would look their best on the sale day, they were properly prepared by qualified men hired for this purpose. ”We have to turn over a lot of dollars to alleviate the expense of accommodating these animals,” Ralph pointed out.

Ralph considered it important for a livestock auctioneer to have a knowledge of the animal being sold and, equally important, to gain the confidence of both buyer and seller.

Ralph felt an auction was the fastest way to sell cattle. He consid- ered auctioneering a business and that an auctioneer must know the value of what he is selling. ”Talking fast is a secondary aspect of an auction. The one who bids the highest, gets the animal. Taking bids

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