Buyers’ spending on bulls at the 80^th Red Bluff Bull and Gelding Sale reached a five-year high, as they shelled out nearly $1.29 million for 282 bulls – an average of $4,585 per bull.

The total at the Jan. 30 auction was the highest since 2016, when bidders spent $1.49 million for 305 bulls. The average was the highest since 2015, when buyers spent an average of $6,554 per bull in what was a record year for prices.

This year’s top-priced bull was a champion Sim-Angus sold by Little Shasta Ranch to Rick and Linda Anderson of Eagle Point, Ore., for $16,500.

The sale capped off nearly a week of livestock auctions and events at the Tehama District Fairgrounds in Red Bluff, Calif., including the 13^th annual online feeder and replacement heifer sale on Jan. 28, sales of stock dogs, geldings and mules on Jan. 29 and a big trade show.

Bids opened for the week at the online cattle sale sponsored by Western Video Market in Cottonwood, Calif. About 80 lots were sold, with weaned heifers topping out at $187 per hundredweight and weaned steers reaching $200 per hundredweight. Both high bids bested last year’s $180 and $198, respectively.

Buyers spent $148,500 for 17 stock dogs, or an average of $8,735 per dog. The top dog was a border collie sold by Tim Woods of Cottonwood, Calif., to Ty Jenkins of Ten Sheep, Wyo., for $17,000. Total dog sales easily beat last year’s $104,500 paid for 17 dogs.

The 42 horses auctioned off Jan. 29 generated $760,750, down only slightly from the 2020 total of $796,400 for 66 horses. This year’s most expensive horse sold for $47,000 to Lynette Rose of Potter Valley, Calif.

Here are some of the sights from the 80th annual Red Bluff Bull and Gelding Sale.