Established in 1922, Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association aids producers in the marketing, managing and financing of their agricultural businesses. Equity operates 13 auction markets and has collection points in Ettrick, Wisconsin, and Menominee, Michigan, and has a hog and cattle marketing center in Arlington, Wisconsin. Please take some time to explore the many facets of our cooperative.
Feeder Cattle Marketing
It is important that you consign your cattle prior to a sale. It is also recommended that feeder cattle are castrated, weaned, dehorned,vaccinated and wormed. Please complete this checklist so Equity can announce during our sales. Call your local Equity market for on-farm visits and to consign cattle. Utilize the checklist shown below. Checklist
Tips to assist you in getting the most value for your feeder cattle can be found here.
Equity Helps Lead Wisconsin Beef Council
At a recent Wisconsin Beef Council (WBC) board meeting, directors elected leadership positions. Val Gaffney, a seedstock producer from Barneveld was elected to serve as president for the next two years. Rosie Lisowe, Chilton, was elected as president-elect. Tod Fleming, Equity’s COO, now serves as secretary-treasurer. Curt Larson, President and CEO, serves as committee chair for WBC’s Consumer Information Committee. Three Equity board of directors also serve on WBC’S board. They include Allan Cihlar, Mosinee; Brad Solchenberger, Cazenovia; and Dwight Truttmann, Mt. Horeb.
Picture below (l-r) are outgoing board member Dave Koning, Monroe; new board president Val Gaffney, Barneveld; past president Arin Crooks, Lancaster; and WBC Executive Director Tammy Vaassen.
Holiday Sales Schedule
All markets will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We will resume all scheduled sales on Thursday, December 26.
All scheduled sales will operate on New Year's Eve, although no calves will be accepted.
All markets closed on New Year's Day.
Equity Receives Organic Certification
Equity markets in Marion and Sparta are pleased to announce their organic certifications from Nature’s International Certification Services (NICS) have been approved. Sales are set for every Monday in Marion at 5:30 p.m., and every Monday in Sparta at 12 p.m..
Organic producers are urged to call Timm in Marion at (608) 477-1463 or Scott in Sparta at (608) 434-4043 for organic livestock auction sales and private treaty sales.
NOTICE >>> One of our largest buyers effective January 1, 2019, and another one beginning on January 1, 2020, will only purchase cattle from suppliers who have been certified in a BQA (Beef Quality Assurance) or FARM program. This requirement is to be implemented in all markets (including non-Equity markets) and all private treaty transactions. The result of this requirement on our members is such that they must be certified in order to have buyers representing these two packers bid on their cattle. We will be required to announce seller certification to receive bids from these two entities. BQA certification can be achieved by logging in on the BQA website at http://www.bqa.org and signing up for one of the free courses which best fit your particular operation. These courses are based on industry accepted practices that a vast majority of producers currently employ.
Upon gaining certification, please provide your name and the name of any entity you sell under, as well as your address, phone number, certification number and expiration date to us at Equity, so we can make the proper announcement at the time of sale. You may contact your local Equity auction market, Equity field representative, Equity’s home office (800-362-3989), or email us at BQA@equitycoop.com. Thank you for your prompt attention.
If you are a new buyer, registration to purchase at our markets is required and for your convenience, a Buyer Application Form is located below which can be faxed to 608-356-0117 or emailed to jking@equitycoop.com before sale day.
Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association is committed to providing marketing for sheep and goats throughout our market facilities. Our 2019 sheep and goat sale schedule is listed below by market location, along with times of sales.
Barron - every 3rd Saturday of the month at 10 a.m.
Johnson Creek - every Monday at 11:30 a.m.
Lomira - last Saturday of the month at 8 a.m.
Marion - 1st Saturday of the month at 1 p.m. & every Monday evening at 5:30 p.m.
Monroe - every 3rd Saturday of the month at 10 a.m.
Richland Center - every Monday at 11 a.m. Sparta - 1st and 3rd Monday at 12 p.m.
Stratford - every Wednesday at 11 a.m. and every 2nd Saturday of the month at 10:30 a.m.
Schedules are subject to change due to Holidays, so please contact your local market with any questions or concerns you may have.
If you need help in arranging trucking to any of these locations, please contact us at 800-362-3989, ext. 131 or 133. We thank producers for their continued support and look forward to continuing to work with them for their sheep and goat marketing needs in 2019 and beyond.
We are excited to have teamed up with ABS to provide an opportunity for dairy producers to improve the marketability of feeder calves through the InFocus genetics program. If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of our program, please click here for the brochure. Call (800) 362-3989, ext. 131 with any questions.
Cooperatives
A business that is owned and run jointly by its members, who share the profits or benefits. Here are the seven cooperative principles:
During Saturday rain will cover the far eastern Midwest through the extent of the East Coast. We'll also see some light rain form in the southwestern Midwest and a rain and snow mix in much of the interior West. » More DTN Weather Commentary
