By Scout Nelson
South Dakota State University’s 33rd annual bull sale set new records and gave students a unique learning opportunity. For the first time, the event used a full live auction combined with online bidding through DV Auction. This format helped increase the average sale price per bull to $6,432—far above the previous record of just over $5,100.
“This is our 33rd run of the bull sale,” said Cody Wright, professor in SDSU’s Animal Science Department. “The students are involved in every step: advertising, catalog design, video production, and of course, the actual sale day.”
The switch from a closed bidding format to a live auction was driven by student interest and proved successful. “We just kind of felt that it was time,” Wright said. “Certainly, based on the results today, they were 100% spot on.”
Students from SDSU’s Beef Seedstock Merchandising class took full ownership of the event, managing everything from media production to sale-day responsibilities. One high-selling bull brought in $17,500 during an exciting bidding war—something only possible with a live auction setup.
“We got them rolling, and it was a lot of fun,” said a student who acted as a ring man during the sale.
Another student shared how the class experience slowed the usual pace of bull sales and allowed for deeper learning. “We were able to take a minute and dissect,” they said.
The event also highlighted teamwork and individual strengths. “Watching classmates shine in different areas — photography, video, writing — made the team effort even more rewarding,” said one student.
Hands-on experience outside the classroom was a key takeaway. “We got to come out, we got to video the bulls, we got to see the bulls,” a student noted. “That hands-on experience is really valuable.”
Photo Credit:gettyimages-steveoehlenschlager
Categories: South Dakota, Education, Livestock