Slaughter classes 2 to 3 higher. Calves and feeder cattle steady to 2 higher. The market is looking very promising with lots of activity and the strongest demand we have seen in a long time. All buyers continue to have more and stronger orders.

SPECIAL REPLACEMENT COW SALE FEATURING THE COMPLETE COW HERD DISPERSAL

                                                                                                 OF

            JOHN MIXON FARMS, GORDON,AL. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12,2010 @ 12:00 NOON

This is a one of a kind opportunity. This herd was started by John`s father, Mr. Curtis Mixon, in 1936. Mr. Curtis bought his first cows that year, and since that time there has never been any female cattle purchased and brought into the herd. All cows since that time have been born on Mixon Farms. John, as did Mr. Curtis, has always bought the best bulls available, and every year, saved his best heifers to go into the herd. John breeds his heifers at two years old, making them close to three years old when they have their first calf. Cows are black or Charolais crosses with some Simmental crosses. Herd consists of:

 173- mature cows with outstanding calves at side. Many 2nd, 3rd and 4th calf cows.

   30- first calf heifers, (3-years old) with first calves at side.

   43- two year old heifers exposed to Rocky Creek Angus bulls.

     2- Charolais bulls, 2 years old.

     9- Angus bulls, 2 to 5 year sold.

Other consignments include:

    20-good heavy bred heifers, black heifers bred to Angus bulls.

    20- Brahman cross heifers, including 12 true Tiger Stripes, bred to Brahman bull.

    41- Angus heifers, all bred to Brahman bulls.

      2-Angus bulls, 16-18 months old.

      2-Angus bulls, 4 years old.

                                                    ***** QUALITY MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER*****

We continue to see lower quality calves heavily discounted. It seems to take only a very small dip in quality to drop the price several dollars. The stocker and feeder folks are getting mighty picky.

                                                                                 ANIMAL I.D. UPDATE

For a while it looked as if the animal I.D. issue was dead in the water, but they (USDA and some other groups such as ear tag manufacturers and others) are trying to force it on us again. However, the senate committee has cut the funding in half (after receiving no funding in the house). The issue is still on the table and will come to a vote probably in the next congressional session. I think that mandatory I.D. would be an unbearable burden on our industry and it would give the Federal government even more control over our lives and buisiness. Private property rights are at stake here. I have been in contact with Senator Richard Shelby, (probably his staff) through e-mails and faxes, and he is under the impression that  the overwhelming majority of American cattle producers are in favor of Mandatory Animal Identification. I have sent him much information to the contrary. I urge you to contact Senators Shelby and Sessions (Sessions has not replied to my e-mails or faxes), or the senators that represent you, and voice your opinion, not only on NAIS, but any other concerns that you may have. I think it is time to remind all of our elected officials that they work for us and not the other way around. I am sure that in some situations, some form of Animal I.D. is helpful, but it should be voluntary, not forced down our throats. I believe we need less government control and regulation and not more.

          Thank You for your buisiness and for your trust in us. We will continue to work hard to keep your trust.

                                                                                                  Ed                                                                     

     WE NOW HAVE THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN AFFIDAVITS AVAILABLE:

In order to comply with the Country of Origin Labeling (C.O.O.L) rules and regulations, all you have to do is sign and date the affidavit stating that all of your cattle are bred, born and raised in The U.S.A., and we will file it in our computer. This is a one time thing, once you sign, it is done. NO PREMISES REGISTRATION OR ANIMAL I. D. TAGS.

                          DO NOT let the tag companies, certain cattlemens organizations, or some government officials scare you into believing that you must have premises identification in order to comply with mandatory Country of Origin Labeling, (COOL). Undersecretary of Agriculture Bruce Knight has stated that a signed affidavit from producers is all that is needed to sell your cattle after the implementation of COOL. Neither Premises ID nor individual animal ID are mandatory, although there are those who would have you believe otherwise. Also, when you accept premises ID, you are giving up some of your Constitutional Rights, including Private Property Rights.

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