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Decades-old Llano Livestock Auction closes

LLANO, Texas (AP)--The last deal has been made at the Llano Livestock Auction.

The nearly half-century old operation held its final auction Feb. 17.

Owner Hatch Smith says the price of cattle has dropped, plus more ranch land is being developed. Smith told KXAN-TV that drought conditions also affected the cattle business.

About 200 cattle were sold Feb. 17 at Llano Livestock Auction.

Smith says he's closing the auction started by his grandfather, but he's not giving up on the cattle business. Smith says he'll be fine, and "there are a lot of people in worse shape."

Texas is the nation's largest cattle-producing state.

Llano is a town of about 3,800, located 75 miles northwest of Austin.

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Records 1 Reader Comments W Brown — 03/13/2009 09:03:30 I am sadden to learn of the closing of the Llano Livestock Auction. The Smith Family had been a friend to me for 38 years and Hatch and Frazer are dear to me. Hatch and I met at the Univeristy of Texas back in 1971 as fraturnty brothers. After the summer of 1972 I had attend Britton's Auctioneering Academy in Bryn Texas. Upon returning to school in the Fall, I ask Hatch if his father Philip would be me get some market auction experience, In his usual gentlemanly manner suggeest I drive to Llano and discuss the matter with his Father, Philip. At that time the regular acutioneer was Willard Jordan, the reining World Champion Aucitoneer. Willard had been one of the instuctors at Brittons. Mr. Smith inquired of Willard, " Is he any good, Willard.". Willard gave favorable replay that compared me to the rest of that class, which may have been suspect. The next Tuesday (saleday), Mr. Smith introduced me as one of Hatch's Friends from School and recently graduated from auction school. Allowing me to sell the sheep, goats and quarntined cattle. Never having sold a head for real at this point, they filled the ring with Agorra Goats and Mr. Smith set them in at $17 per head. I started my chatter searching for that first bid, about 3 to 4 minutes into it, Mr. Smith sighnaled he wanted to say something, thinking it must be something about the goats. But, he so polietly informed me that he did not know how we sold goats in East Texas (My Home area) but in Llano if I say $17 per head go up, don't ask $16 per head as I had done out of nevers. Those in attendace that day had a big laugh. I worked for Mr. Smith for the next year and half, an unforgetable experience. Allowed to work with the weigh man, write tickets, work in the ring and get the flavor of the auction business in an area that produced good clean cattle, raised by livestockmen that knew their trade. All respected the Smith's, knew they would be given a fair deal when they brought their stock to Llano. I have never forgotten the opportunity and friendship Mr. Smith shared with me as a young man. And I have never been afraid to get up and sell something and to ask for a higher price since. God Bless the Smith Family. Add Your Comment To post a comment on this story, enter your screen name and email address then click "Add Comment." Your email address will not be displayed. 705 Recommend | 1 Comments

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