News Affecting Club Members

On June 23, shipping birds became more expensive when USPS launched dimensional shipping on all shipments exceeding 144 cubic inches. I use stamps.com for our business. I entered the information for a shipment of birds weighing 5 1/2 pounds to be shipped to zone 4 using a Horizon single shipping box measuring 20” x 16” x 8’. The cost was over $90.00. Shipping that weight in an econo box measuring 16” x 16” x 16” cost over $120.00.

If you ship quite a few birds you might want to check the Bird Shippers of America web site - Birdshippers.org If you ship less than 1000 birds per year, membership costs only $25.00 annually. As a member, your logo and name will be added to BSA’s scrolling membership list on their website. According to the letter I received dated June 25 from Bud Wood, chairman of Bird Shippers of America, BSA offers its members the CPP Postal Discount. According to Mr. Wood, CPP agreement provides substantial discount on priority and Express Mail. 

There was a lot of interest in the fall auction from buyers as well as new consignors. I want to thank Roger Graham, Ted and Janice Golka, and Scott Gray who helped me get the word out about the auction on Craigslist. Scott posted auction information in 12 different cities. If you have not checked out the new club web site, please do so. I created a photo gallery on the consignment page. I want to thank Jacki Lundburg, James Colson, and LaDonna Lickteig for sending me photos that I could upload. Next year , when I send out my email request for consignments, I hope more people will respond not only with a list of consignments, but also with some photos.

The comments in the proceeding paragragh were written before the auction. It was a big fall sale with with 924 lots in the main arena. The highest selling lot was a pair of breeder Cape Barren Geese that sold for $1100.00. As usual, we needed more club members to pitch in and help. A BIG THANKS goes to Jason and Jeff Arn, Herb Bastian, Don Colson, John Christensen, Benny Dean, Cathy Gander, Ted Golka, Roger Graham, Luke and Charles Gray, Bill Griffin, Cindy Hoffman, Dan Kleinlein, David Lassen, Thomas Lehman, David Lehmer, LaDonna Lickteig, Roger McCormick, Jackie McCormick, Cody McCormick, John Smith, Terry Smith, Joe Twombly, Mark Wheeler, Randy Winterbarger, and Henry Yoder and his son. I especially want to thank Cion Hamilton and her soon who helped smooth out some of the problems with the fair grounds. I am sure I missed some people who pitched in while I was setting up the office. I have been working the club auctions since 1985 and this is the most problems-free auction, we have had. We did not have to resell anything because the buyer thought he was getting the cage of 4 quail for $15.00 instead of $60.00 ($15 x the birds in the cage.) Everybody picked up their purchases, and there were no stolen birds. Great job!! Craigslist and the newly redesigned website with the photo gallery of some of the consignments did its job. The number of people attending the auction was down due to fall festivals, tractor shows, etc. but those who attended came to buy. Again, thanks to all the consignors, buyers, and volunteers. Your help has made this auction which began at the sale barn in Paola, Kansas, endure. I hate all the paperwork I have to do on the Sunday after the sale and in my spare time the following week, but I love seeing old friends and getting to meet in person those email and phone contacts. The auction dates for 2020 are March 14 and September 19. See you in the spring.