September 14, 2005 history was made in the cattle industry. Florida’s newest sale barn opened for business with a sale of 2,674 head of cattle that would test its innovative, state of the art construction. All eyes were on the small town of Arcadia, which entered into the cattle auction business in l939 with the beginning of the Arcadia State Livestock Market on May 3rd. The new barn known as ARCADIA STOCKYARD would make a historical debut into the cattle business with every inch of the building being tested from the new barn equipment to the new computer software.

Sale days for the ARCADIA STOCKYARD are both Monday and Wednesday. We have added the Monday sale to give you flexibility when scheduling the sale of your cattle. For the Monday sale, you can bring your cattle in Sunday from 10:00am until 7:00pm or sale day. Wednesday’s you can deliver your cattle Tuesday from 8:00am until 9:00pm or sale day. Both of our sales are well represented by all the buyers.

The first new option for the arriving cattlemen and cattlewomen of this area would be the drive through unloading chute. That’s right – drive through, stop your truck and our gates swing to meet your trailer and your cattle walk off with ease to start the selling process. There is no need to back your trailer to the chute. The market staff is eager to check your cattle in and get you on your way to continue the busy day that you have planned.

Cattle then proceed from the unloading area to a series of pens 7 deep. Straight in and straight out to the hot corner area for processing; they are worked by knowledgeable cowboys on horseback, which helps make this less stressful for your cattle. There they are handled through a maze of air gates and chutes flexible in the ability to keep grown cattle and calves headed to the auction ring.

Upon entry into the auction ring cattle are weighed on a well-constructed set of scales, supported by load cells on all four corners for accuracy. While in the ring our auctioneer, Tommy Stewart, works the order buyers and local ranchers as they competitively bid. Top dollar for your cattle is our goal! We are committed to customer service and satisfaction. With that in mind, we will work tirelessly to gain your confidence in us to make your marketing experience pleasant.

 

We want you to feel at home and comfortable as you watch cattle trends for the day. For your added comfort, the sale ring has theater style seating with a clear view of the ring. Check out the Wall of Brands, which continues a history for this market. It’s a place where you marked

your family’s history in the cattle business. A wrap around porch is a gathering place for customers to share stories and gain information about the industry. Talk with the buyers before they start their busy day.

A café’ serves hot meals or good ole hamburgers cooked fresh and hot off the grill. Walk across the hall from the café’ to the office. There you can use the DTN computer to be updated on cattle news, prices, or the weather. The office calculates your proceeds from the

 day. The latest in computer technology is used to complete your selling and buying transactions. An updated software program from Texas and new computer equipment tracks your information for the year. We also maintain a web site for you to get industry news, which may affect your cattle operation.

Come on by! Stay a while! This barn has been built with you in mind and the safe, stress-free handling of your cattle. Take advantage of the services available for your use. We want to be your destination when selling or buying cattle. Come by let’s talk COWS!

Carl


Remember! Sale Days are MONDAY & WEDNESDAY at 12:00 Noon!

The Arcadia Stockyard is a member of the following associations:

DeSoto County Cattlemen’s Association

Sarasota County Cattlemen’s Association

Florida Association of Livestock Market

Livestock Marketing Association

Kansas City, MO.