More than 70 cows were auctioned off Thursday
CHATHAM -- For the past 98 years, dairy cows have lined the stalls at the MSU Experimental Farm. But Thursday afternoon, more than 70 cows were lining up to be auctioned off. With a lack of funding and support, the farm was forced to make a change.
"The state budget is in dire straits, and the university's budget is in question. Also, it's a research herd, research facility, and everybody's so busy, there's been a lack of interest by the faculty to conduct research," explains farm manager Paul Naasz.
The auction drew farmers from all across the U.P. and even from downstate to bid on the prized cattle. Bidders knew what they were looking for.
"Good production and a sound animal," describes Connie Lucas of Alpena.
Seeing the cows led into the bidding ring was tough for those who have watched the herd grow.
"It's sad and I don't like to see it. You know, there's a lot of things I'm not going to miss. Milking cows, getting up early in the morning, and getting swatted in the face with a tail...those things we're not going to miss," Naasz says.
Agricultural Science Professor Emeritus Herb Bucholtz agrees. "It's kind of a bittersweet moment. You see the cows going; they were a big part of a lot of people's life here including mine. So you see part of that going."
But not all of the cows will be leaving just yet. One-hundred-thirty-five beef cows will remain there until further notice.
The farm says they expect most of the cows to sell for between $1,000 and $2,000. All of the money raised from the sale will stay at the farm.
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