As with any consignment sale, a lot of work goes into planning and conducting the annual Michigan State University (MSU) Spartan Spectacular calf sale. What makes the Spartan Spectacular calf sale different from the majority of similar sales is that it is completely managed by MSU students from start to finish. From selecting consignments to arranging for the delivery of feed and straw to developing a to-the-minute volunteer schedule to complete chores, animal preparation and other routine duties, MSU Dairy Club and dairy cattle judging team members plan, organize and run the consignment sale every year.
Lauren Bush, MSU Dairy Club treasurer and sophomore studying animal science from Swartz Creek, said animals representing three breeds of dairy cattle will be featured in the sale.
"We have worked very hard to assemble top quality consignments through farm visits by students and making phone calls to alumni members and past consigners," she explained. "I love that our sale allows us [students] to do everything. It is a great learning experience to gain hands-on practice selecting fancy show heifers for consignments, developing advertising, and learning how best to handle and fit dairy cattle. We anticipate that this year’s sale will be one of the best the club has held thus far."
The 12th annual MSU Spartan Spectacular calf sale will be held March 25 at the MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education in East Lansing. It will begin around 3 p.m. following the conclusion of the Michigan-Indiana Holstein Spring Foundation Sale.
Animal science senior and MSU Dairy Club member Lynnae Slavik of Ashley, Michigan, said working on the sale is a unique opportunity that provides practical experience and networking opportunities with people from all across the dairy industry.
"Pulling the various components of the sale together from start to finish is a real test of teamwork. It also helps MSU Dairy Club members get experience developing business-related skills — skills that we’ll need to have as we enter the work force or return to the family dairy operation," she said. "Working with everyone and getting to know new people is also a really beneficial and fun part of the whole process."
MSU Dairy Club alumni member now employed with NorthStar Select Sires , Jessica Jakubik agrees. Jakubik served as co-chair of the sale as both a junior and senior at MSU.
"I use skills I gained from managing the Spartan Spectacular on a daily basis in my career as a SMS evaluator," she said. "I was better able to understand pedigrees, how to select animals that would sell well, and get more experience working with producers from all over the state. The sale is a great way for members that don’t have much experience working in the dairy industry to discover different aspects of it."
Students receive guidance and donations of feed, equipment, bedding and other supplies from MSU Dairy Club alumni, and a partnership with the annual Michigan-Indiana Holstein Association-sponsored Spring Foundation Sale that draws a large pool of potential buyers to the calf sale and offers students an opportunity to work with professional sale managers and auctioneers.
Dairy judging team and club members help the state sale crew water and milk the consignments from the time the animals arrive several days before the sale up through sale day in exchange for the money earned from selling the milk; the same arrangement exists with the Michigan Jersey Association for their sale held the following day.
MSU is home to the Dairy Club and three categories of dairy judging teams — collegiate (the most recent team is pictured at right) , two-year agricultural technology and 4-H.
Each offers social and educational opportunities to students, promotes the dairy industry and increases students’ contacts with Michigan dairy producers.
For more information about the MSU Dairy Club or to view a PDF version of the sale catalog, visit www.msu.edu/~dairyclb . People can also contact sale co-chairs Lauren Bush at bushlau1@msu.edu or Eric Sneller at sneller3@msu.edu. PD
Krista Beeker serves as the education and outreach coordinator for the MSU Dairy Club. She is studying animal science and ag communications and will graduate in May 2011. Click here to read another article from Krista about MSU's cheese sale.
Can't get enough collegiate dairy sales? Learn about similar events from Cal Poly and Penn State:
• Cal Poly Classic Sale Recap
• Penn State holds 27th Nittany Lion Fall Classic Sale
