After 50 years one sale barn closes its door.

Ag Reporter Sarah Gustin travels to Napoleon to see the last cow walk through the ring.

"BIDDING It's the last chant from THIS auction block

(Paul Bitz / Sale Barn Owner) "I DON'T EVER REMEMBER NOT HAVING THIS BARN HERE AS A KID. FIRST TIME I EVER BOUGHT A CALF WAS IN THIS BARN, FIRST TIME I EVER GOT TO WORK THE RING IN A BARN, FIRST TIME THAT I EVER GOT TO AUCTIONEER, FIRST TIME I EVER GOT KICKED WAS IN THE RING HERE." In 1960 George Bitz started working at the Napoleon Livestock Auction barn19 years later he became an owner

Alot of cows have come down this alley since then

(Sarah Gustin / KX News) "Bitz says they sell about 100-thousand cows a year. About 12 hundred showed up for today's sale." (George Bitz / Sale Barn Owner) "I HAVE BEEN REALLY BLESSED. THE LORD GAVE ME A JOB THAT I REALLY ENJOY EVERYDAY. EVERYDAY IS A FUN DAY. I ENJOY WORKING WITH PEOPLE. I HAVE MADE ALOT OF REALLY NICE FRIENDS. I ENJOY DOING WHAT I AM DOING." Today is a a sad but exciting day

After 50 years it's time to say good-bye to selling cattlebut not for long

CALLING BIDS Now George, along with his two sons Jim and Paul, and Ray Erberle are building a bigger, more efficient barn

(George Bitz / Sale Barn Owner) "I WANT MY SONS TO BE HERE JIM AND PAUL AND MY LITTLE GRANDSONS. THEY ARE GOING TO BE HERE SOMEDAY, SO I HOPE THIS PLACE IS HERE ANOTHER 50 YEARS." (Jim Bitz / Sale Barn Owner) "I THINK FOR PAUL AND I, WE LIKE WHAT WE ARE DOING AND WE LOVE WHERE WE LIVE. I MEAN IT DOES COME ACROSS FOR THE MONEY YOU SPEND ON A BUILDING, WE MAYBE COULD HAVE MADE AN OFFER ON ANOTHER SALE BARN IN A BIGGER TOWN, BUT WE LIKE THE COMMUNITY, WE LIKE WHAT WE ARE DOING AND IT ALL CAME DOWN TO THAT." Jim says the new barn will have a recreational area with TV's and couchs for families waiting for their cattle to sell

(Paul Bitz / Sale Barn Owner) "I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW BARN BUT THERE ARE ALOT OF MEMORIES THAT ARE GOING TO BE IN THAT OLD ONE THAT ARE GOING TO BE HARD, IT IS GOING TO BE A TOUGH DAY FOR ME." And as George would say, "eat some beef and drink some milk today." "SOLD HER 47 DOLLARS" In Napoleon for KX News, I am Sarah Gustin."


Bitz says they plan to be selling cattle in the new barn by the middle of August. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list