Bison Sale

 

Every year around this time the Eastern Bison Association has their annual bison show and it just so happens that it also marks a year since Jamie started his position as Farm Manager.  This past year has really flown by compared to the two prior…whew, where has the time gone?!  Anyway, I didn’t attend last year because it was Jamie’s first year, first day on the job and he had enough to worry about…plus I was enjoying the time with my Mom and didn’t really care to go.  This year I was curious and needed another excuse to put my camera into action.

The show was held at the PA Farm Show Complex and I have to be honest, it’s been a long time since I was at the Farm Show Building…brings back lots of childhood nostalgia.

I spotted this security guard as we were driving across the driveway.  At first I could just see his silhouette and did a double take thinking it wasn’t possible that I’d come across someone wearing a fun hat…what are the possibilities.  But he was and what a great picture opportunity?!  Unfortunately they took his fantastic hat and said he couldn’t have it back until after the show was over on Saturday…apparently it wasn’t appropriate…cereal?!?  Matt, you should go have a talk with them cause we thought it was quite appropriate.

  

Jamie and a few other guys needed to go and feed the animals on Friday morning while everyone else was sitting in the meetings and I tagged along.  It was great to take pictures with no one else around…no editing arms and noses out of the photo.

 

The guys who brought this gal had quite the surprise when they opened the back of their trailer after arriving and found she had calved on the ride there.  The next time someone wants to complain about labor and delivery I’m gonna say, “We’ll try doing it in the back of crowded trailer with your fellow bison mates beside you.”  For the stress of the situation this duo did fairly well and they were able to sell them as a pair…although they spared her and her baby the walk through the arena.  By Saturday she was getting quite protective of her little guy and grunted her disapproval to those who even looked in their direction…I couldn’t help it though, he was just so darn cute!

The show required quite a few quick moving men to move around the top of the pens to bring animals in and out of the arena.  It makes my toes curl sometimes watching them move around so closely with some of the bigger animals.  They would bring them into this holding pen before sending them out into the arena…uh dude, you’re facing the wrong direction, the door is the OTHER way…

…that’s better.

Off he goes…

…to the arena.

After several “YEPS”, some head nods, and a “SOLD” by the auctioneer, they exited from the other side of the arena where they are returned to their pen to await transport to a new home.

                       *sigh* “Is this thing over yet?  I’m ready for some sun and grass and that fresh one Frank left next door is starting to really stink to high heaven.”