Auction of Ohio dairy operation results in sale for $4.635 million

A 160-acre Ohio dairy operation sold for $4,635,000 Tuesday, with a single buyer emerging after extended bidding on the land, home, equipment and livestock. Schrader Real Estate and Auction Company conducted the auction.

The auction attracted a crowd of 150-175, including 62 registered bidders, to the Mark Center in Defiance, Ohio.

The auction included a Double-28 parallel parlor and 1,424 free stalls, as well as 1,466 head of Holstein cows, a 2,600-square-foot home, and tillable land.

"The assets were offered in 51 lots, and there was considerable bidding on individual lots and combinations. However, an entirety bidder ended up as the high bidder on the full operation," said R.D. Schrader, president of the auction company.

Schrader's Roger Diehm said bidding was strong despite low milk prices. "The cows were in great shape, and the herd averaged 85 pounds per day. The business also had great management, and all of that made it attractive to bidders," Diehm said.

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