Destination Naples Sale Review
Destination Naples Sale was held Friday, February 3rd at the Ritz-Carlton Tiburon Golf Resort in Naples, Florida. Approximately 70-75 people were on hand for hospitality and a welcome party on the outdoor veranda overlooking the golf course. The large crowd then filled the sale ballroom for pre-sale announcements and more hospitality. Jeff Butler welcomed the crowd and provided an overview of the Registered Holstein industry and the exciting developments in IVF Embryo Transfer procedures and the basics of genomics and DNA testing. Auctioneer Chris Hill opened the sale complimenting the consignors on what he thought was “one of the greatest lineups of genomic offerings that he has ever been a part of”. The crowd was lively with enthusiastic bidding with 42 lots selling for 1,349,900 for an avg. of $32,140 per lot. The top seller was added Lot 54, an AltaIota daughter consigned by Jonathan Lamb, Oakfield Corners Dairy, selling for $140,000 to Elite Dairy Genomics, LLC. This heifer is the highest GTPI female in the U.S. that has all proven sires in her pedigree. There were a total of 25 different buyers from all over North America with 5 lots selling to Canada. Chris Hill & Jeff Butler did a wonderful job in the box while Ed Fellers, Ray LeBlanc, Tim Rauen & Rick VerBeek took bids and manned the phones. The sale was managed by Butler Fellers Auctions, Inc., of Springfield, IL & Overland Park, KS. Plans are in the works for an encore Destination Naples Sale in 2013!