Much is said about the family ranch and the family farm. Those reassuring words “the family ranch” describe a future for our industry.

There is another segment of the cattle industry where family means a lot. The family owned and operated livestock auction also conjures up thoughts of generation after generation continuing the family tradition. Across the country there are livestock auctions where son has followed father in the business. Amid the noise and bustle of cattle being unloaded, sorted, sold and loaded out, families are raised.

Today s story took place in a family owned and operated auction in Oklahoma. The only real name I’ll use is the grandfather, Jerry.

Grandfather Jerry was the patriarch of the family. Sons, daughters and grandkids all grew up in the pens under Jerry’s reign. Grandson Petey at seven particularly idolized Grandpa and wanted to please him any way he could. Petey sorted baby calves, goats, anything, just to be helping in the yards. His big hat was as much a part of his little frame as a sorting pole and pad of back tags and glue he carried at all times, just like “the big guys.”

On this particular sale day Petey was assigned to bring up the animals as Grandfather Jerry called for them to come to the sales ring. This was a big task, but Petey knew he was the man for the job, all three feet of him.

As the sale progressed Jerry told Petey to go get the little brown goat in pen 12 and bring him into the ring.

But ... Petey started to say to Grandpa, however, Jerry was already attending to other things.

After a few drafts had sold, Jerry again turned to the eager faced Petey and sternly instructed, “Petey, I said go get that little brown goat!”

“But Grandpa,” Petey tried to get in.

Jerry added, “Now Petey!”

Petey was frustrated. Grandpa had given him an order, and he did so much want to make a hand. He just couldn’t get Jerry to listen to his problem, though.

Nevertheless, when the in gate opened the next time, there was Petey. Into the ring he came, huffing and puffing and dragging the little brown goat out into the middle of the ring.

It was then Jerry wished he had taken time to listen to Petey’s message that the brown goat had died the day before!