by Pamela Teskey
In 1935, Roy Hays invited the ranchers and families to bring their calves to his ranch in Peeples Valley where he would provide a barbecue while the calves were sold at auction. It is believed this was the first calf auction held in Arizona. As time passed, calves began being judged, with the rancher being recognized as having one of the top calves at the sale.
At first, the barbecue was for ranchers and their families. However, it wasn’t long before friends were invited, and then the public was included. With the Hays Ranch on SR 89, and just south of Prescott and north of Wickenburg, it was conveniently located and accessible to all parts of Yavapai County, as well as the rest of the state. It truly became a meeting place where the ranching community could interact with the general public and discuss the issues that, strangely enough, they had in common.
The Hays Ranch supplied the beef and the wives of the contributing ranchers furnished the rest of the meal. After a few years, the Yavapai Cattle Growers Association furnished all the supplies and members volunteered their time to do the pit barbecue. The Yavapai Cowbelles also manned the serving tables and brought the desserts.
Except for three years, it has been held at its original site of the Hays Ranch in Peeples Valley, now the Maughan Ranch West Fork. The annual tradition continues of presenting a check to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association for at least $1,000.
The Yavapai Cattle Growers Association is proud to continue this tradition in supporting the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
YCGA is the only cattlemen’s association in the country that has supported the National Organization for 86 years – a proud tradition for Yavapai County ranchers.
Yavapai Cattle Growers Association Calf Sale & BBQ
Fun For The Whole Family
SATURDAY, SEPT. 29
Maughan Ranch West Fork, Peeples Valley, Arizona
Gates Open: 8 am.
Booths Open: 9 a.m.
Mutton Busting: 10 a.m.
BBQ served from: 12 to 1:30 p.m.
Calf Sale starts at: 1:30 p.m.
Yavapai Cowbelles’ Scholarship Quilt Drawing: 1:30 p.m.
