Whether a consignor, manager, buyer or follower, January is a whirlwind in the south for mule sales.

The comparison really starts in October as the three colt sales roll out -- Hoover in Kentucky, Abner Stoltzfus and J&E in Quarryville PA.

Sales begin on January 2nd in Trenton KY at Bluegrass Stables.  Mule sale is followed by their horse sale the following day.  

Second week of January is Russellville KY for the Hoover Two Day Mule and Horse Sale.  Upon leaving most go straight to Lebanon TN for the Reese Bros Mule Sale.

The Hoover Sale was nothing short of amazing this year with near 1000 head of stock going through the sale ring.  They had a few obstacles to work through, but came out shinning like a new colt by end of the two day sale.  

Sale management continues to improve this sale by addressing each obstacle and then by planning so the same problem may not present itself the following year.  This year a working area for stock was secured offering buyers a safe place to see their choice hooked and drove prior to sale time.  

If an award of 'super hero' were to be awarded at this sale it would go hands down to the crews keeping the stock ready for the sale ring.  This group worked in the mule stock Wednesday through Thursday morning at 8AM.  Throughout the mule sale they penned sold mules and begin accepting horses for the Friday sale.  Thursday evening throughout the night, mules were loaded to ship out and horses were checked in up to the time of sale Friday morning.  Many would have run around like hunting a needle in a haystack, this group managed it like clock work.

There were so many great mules at this sale; however, one family really stuck in my mind at this sale, the family of John Zook, Jr. This family, together, consigned around thirty head.  Every animal was in sale shape and the price they reached over and over again was their reward. 

Chris Zook presented the top pair of mules at this sale.  Danny Hansen of Airdrie Alberta Canada was quick to let the youngster know he had a lot to do with him choosing this team.  Chris is the son of John Zook, III and grandson of John Zook, Jr. 

The team was perfectly matched, not the least bit excited over the action around them and acted calmly on each command given them.  This team topped the sale with a final bid of $34,000.  

Another impressive consignor was Nevin Hoover.  He was a strong contributor to the $10k and above group.  

Twenty percent of this sale brought $10k or above. 

Another 20% was two year olds.  Remember, the two year olds have been slipping their way back into the sale ring beginning last year.  It seems 2026 sales may be seeing more two year old mules than the last few years.

For more numbers, see the 'in progress' comparison chart below.