70th annual bull sale deemed great success
The Marion County Cattlemen’s Association event is the oldest continuous graded sale in the nation.
Garrett Peebles leads a bull in the sales ring as it is auctioned off during the 70th-annual Ocala Bull Sale at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. 70 bulls were up for auction during the Ocala Bull Sale on Tuesday. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2025.
The 70th annual Ocala Graded Bull Sale on Oct. 14 at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion drew more than a dozen consignors from near and far. It is the oldest continuous graded bull sale in the nation.
Local businessman and cattleman Hugh Dailey, who has been involved in the sale for more than 40 years, said this year’s event was “a great bull sale.”
“This was the 70th year anniversary and we shattered all previous records. The volunteers from the Marion County Cattlemen’s Association worked very hard to make the sale a great success. Many local bull buyers remarked about the high quality of the bulls this year. The improved genetics will enable local ranchers to raise higher quality calves,” Dailey said on Wednesday.
The 2025 Ocala Bull Sale sold 56 bulls. With sales totaling $410,450 and an average sale price of $7,329. Our sale toppers were two Angus bulls from Barnett Angus Ranches in Washington, Georgia, bringing over $15,000 each,” said Caitlin Justesen, livestock agent, UF/IFAS Extension, Marion County.
“This year’s sale was extraordinary in both the quality of bulls sold and prices received for each lot. The Marion County Cattlemen’s Association is grateful to the bull consignors for bringing superior stock to the sale. These bulls will drive genetic improvement and the overall performance of beef cattle herds around the southeast for years to come,” she added.
The event also included a cake auction by the Marion County Cattlewomen’s Association, with the proceeds going to student scholarships.
To learn more, go to ocalabullsale.com and fb.com/marioncountycattlemens
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