Cattle Sales

One of my favorite things about fall is the start of the cattle sale season. Once the summer is done, cattle sales are constantly being done. I receive sale catalog after sale catalog in the mail and spend hour after hour studying the calves that are being sold. 

After being in my writing class at Michigan State, I have grown to analyze how people write in different situstions. When it comes to livestock sales and the catalogs, those that write them are really just stating a sales pitch. They use data and all sorts of cattle lingo to draw the reader or potential buyer into the information about the calf in the hopes that they might want to buy it. They are normally very informal with their writing and always short and sweet and to the point. People wanting to buy cattle only want the facts and do not want to read all the flowery things that can be put into a piece of literature.

Analyzing these catalogs and other newsletters regarding livestock sales has helped to realize how I will need to advertise my farm for sales. Short and sweet, but hitting the right points seems to be the way to go.