LOTS OF ANIMALS GO THROUGH FRUITLAND LIVESTOCK SALES

FRUITLAND, Mo. -- Most of the 250 seats at the Fruitland Livestock Auction Barn are filled the first Tuesday of each month.

"That's when we feature sheep, goats and pigs," said Neal Franke, barn manager for the weekly livestock auction, held at he facility.

The Fruitland Livestock Auction is held every Tuesday, and features feeder cattle and steers except for the first Tuesday.

"We may have a few sheep or goats every Tuesday," said Franke, but the big day for these animals is the first Tuesday.

The Preusser family operates the weekly auctions. This includes Steve Preusser, Jeff Preusser, Mark Preusser and Marian Preusser.

As many as 100 to 150 buyers attend the weekly sessions.

"We have a lot of order buyers," said Franke.

These are buyers who purchase livestock for shipment to Kansas, Nebraska, Kentucky and other states.

The weekly sales also provide information for the weekly United States Department of Agriculture Market News.

Some livestock producers from Missouri, Southern Illinois and West Kentucky start bringing their livestock to the auction barn Sunday.

"Some come in on Monday, and a lot come in Tuesday before the 10 a.m. start," said Franke.

An average of about 650 animals are available for each auction, Franke said. "But on some days we'll see more than 1,000 animals."

Sheep, goats and feeder hog sales get a later start, about 11 a.m.

"We usually see 500 to 600 head on these days," said Franke.

During a two-day period next month there will be 1,000 to 2,000 other animals during a Friday-Saturday, Oct. 27-28, Exotic Animal Sale, operated by Franke.

"We run the exotic animal sales twice a year," said Franke.