Morrisville State College Sells Record Number of Cows at Annual Autumn Review Sale

Stacia Beckwith, an agricultural science major from North Norwich, prepares a cow for Morrisville State College’s Annual Autumn Review Sale. (Photo by Franci Valenzano, public relations associate)

From Morrisville State College:

Morrisville State College’s Annual Autumn Review Sale set a record with the highest number of animals sold in the 33-year history of the event. 

The dairy cattle sale focused on Holsteins, but also two Jerseys, two Brown Swiss and one Milking Shorthorn were sold.

The sale grossed a total of $274,650 with 116 live lots sold, nine embryo lots, and five additional animals outside the formal sale. The live lots ranged from two days old to 5-year-old cows.

The average per live lot was $2,727 which is reflective of the quality of the animals gathered by the students despite the current economic struggles of the dairy industry, said Steve Mooney, co-adviser of the sale and assistant professor of dairy science at Morrisville. The high lot went for $5,500.

Run by Morrisville State College’s faculty and students in dairy, agricultural business, agricultural science and agricultural engineering classes affiliated with college’s dairy club, proceeds from the sale support dairy club trips, the dairy judging team, academic programs, and various activities and events.  

More than 100 students participated in this year’s event.

Jessica Currie, an agricultural business development major from Tully, Darin Bresett, an animal science dairy major from Gouverneur, and Connor Nesbitt,  an agricultural business development major from Byron, co-chaired the sale.

Also assisting as committee chairs were:

Drew Hill, of Cattaraugus, agricultural business development

Bryce Hamilton, of Castile, animal science dairy

Maryellen Wiley, of Whitesboro, agricultural business development

Adam Eick, of Medina, agricultural business development

Mike Cantwell, of Richfield Springs, dairy management

Matt Fletcher, of Southampton, Mass., dairy management

Elsie Jerzak, of Millerton, Pa, dairy management

Nora Williams, of Truxton, criminal justice

Shannon O’Sullivan, of Wappingers Falls, dairy management

Clay Frederick, of Cazenovia, agricultural business development

Karch Manley, of Hamilton, agricultural business development

“Despite low dairy prices, the high quality of the cattle in the sale ring lead to competition among the buyers and our prices were better than expected,” Mooney said. “As always, the students’ hard work, skills and effort as a team lead to an excellent sale.”

“The students had the cattle looking fantastic and worked as hard as I have ever seen,” said Dave Rama, sale auctioneer. “Every consignor I have spoken with complimented the entire sale.”

The Morrisville State College Dairy Club helps students extend their knowledge of the dairy industry through participation in activities like the annual autumn review sale and field trips.