Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you Located?
Appalachian Fairgrounds
100 Lakeview Street, Gray, TN 37615
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Is the event open to the public, is it free to attend?
Yes! The event is free to attend and open to the public. No ticket is required.
When is the event held?
The Southeast Highland Cattle Auction is a once-a-year event held each fall.
We only facilitate the auction and do not sell cattle year-round.
What are the dates and times?
Friday, October 31, 2025
• 10:00 AM – Junior Show
• 12:00 PM – Open Show
• 6:00–8:00 PM – Banquet & Live Music​
Saturday, November 1, 2025
• 9:00 AM – Junior Showmanship
• 11:00 AM – Animal Viewing
• 1:00 PM – Live Auction
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Where Funds Go and How You Can Help​
Are you a nonprofit organization?
No, the Southeast Highland Cattle Show & Sale is structured as an LLC for liability protection only. It does not operate for profit and is entirely volunteer-run.
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Where does the money from this event go?
All funds are used for event expenses like facility rental, insurance, awards, junior activities, and logistics.
Any remaining funds help improve next year’s show or are donated to meaningful causes.
Past donation recipients include:​
- American Highland Cattle Association Junior Scholarships
- Daniel Boone FFA Beef Show Team​
- Wild South
(A 501(c)(3) nonprofit that protects Southern public lands. Our donation supported hurricane cleanup and relief efforts in Western North Carolina and East Tennessee).
- Empowering Hands Charity
(A 501(c)(3) organization connecting compassionate donors to urgent needs, including hurricane relief in Western NC and East TN)
-Families directly impacted by Hurricane Helene
(including Jones Farm and multiple families in Yancey and Mitchell Counties, NC who suffered significant damage or lost their homes)
If you’d like more information or want to help these families rebuild, feel free to message us — we’re happy to share their GoFundMe links.
-Local relief efforts, including heaters, emergency supplies, and direct aid delivered to families, along with supplies taken to distribution centers in NC and TN
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Want to help support junior participants?
We’re so grateful! There are a few easy ways to contribute:
-Donate toward prizes, activities, or scholarships for junior exhibitors
-Sponsor an award directly through the Showman App under the Show Entry Form page
-Use the Donate tab below
-Bring a Silent Auction item the day of the event.​
- Buy a Silent Auction item the day of the event.​​
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Is there a Silent Auction? Can I donate something to it?
Yes! We’ll have a Silent Auction during the event, and 100% of the proceeds will go toward junior awards for the show and AHCA Junior scholarships.
If you’d like to donate, simply bring your item with you and drop it off at the designated table when you arrive — no need to contact us ahead of time.
Why aren’t you a regional association?
We were established in 2018 and chose to operate as an LLC rather than a formal regional association. This gives us the freedom to run the show without politics, internal committees, or unnecessary bureaucracy. That’s what truly sets us apart.
Our focus is on creating a fun, welcoming, and professionally run event that’s all about the cattle, the breeders, and the next generation — not organizational drama.
We are also proud to be recognized by AHCA
as a Roll of Excellence (ROE) Super Point Show.
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LODGING & PARKING​
Are there hotel blocks available?
Yes. We have discounted group rates available at select hotels for attendees and consignors.
Visit the Accommodations page on our website for full booking details, prices, deadlines, and links.
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Can I park a trailer at the fairgrounds?
Yes. If your hotel doesn’t allow trailer parking, you can leave your trailer at the fairgrounds.​
Are camper spots available?
A limited number of camper spaces are available at the fairgrounds.
Contact Phill at (423) 477-3211 to reserve.​​​
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BIDDING & BUYING​
How do I bid?
You can register in person at the auction barn or sign up online.
Online bidding will be available through SaleRing.live.
You must have a valid ID and credit card on file to receive a bidder number.
When does online bidding registration open?
Online bidding opens once the consignment period ends and the catalog is posted (after October 5, 2025). We recommend registering early.
What payment methods are accepted?
- Credit Card (4% processing fee applies)
- Cash
- Check
When do I pick up animals I purchase?
All animals must be picked up by Sunday, November 2 at 12:00 PM (noon).
Buyers are responsible for arranging transportation.
Contact us ahead of time if you'd like help connecting
with a livestock transporter.
Animals become the buyer’s responsibility once paid for.
SELLERS & CONSIGNMENT​
When do consignments open and close?
August 15 – October 5, 2025
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What are the fees to consign?
$40 per animal
10% commission on final sale price
No consignment fee on semen​
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Do I need to bring registration papers?
Yes — you must bring the original AHCA registration papers for any animals you are consigning.
If you’ve misplaced them, you’ll need to order a replacement from AHCA before the event.
Can I set a reserve price?
Yes. You may set a reserve using the form provided at check-in.
If your animal does not meet the reserve, it will be marked a “no sale” — but the 10% commission fee still applies, and the consignment fee is non-refundable.​
What types of cattle are accepted?
We only accept animals that are registered with the American Highland Cattle Association (AHCA) and meet AHCA breed standards.
We allow a limited number of unregistered steers,
but all females and bulls must be AHCA registered.
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Why is the number of bull entries limited?
Our breed is increasingly being flooded with poor-quality bulls sold as breeding stock. To help protect the integrity of the Highland breed, we strictly limit the number of bulls accepted into the auction.
All bull entries must be AHCA-registered and will be juried by a selection committee. Only the highest-quality bulls will be accepted.
We strongly encourage breeders to castrate mediocre bulls and only leave the best intact for breeding. This standard supports the long-term health and reputation of Highland cattle across the industry.
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If my bull wasn’t accepted, does that mean he’s a bad bull?
Not necessarily. We receive many quality bull entries, but we only accept a limited number of the very best. This is to ensure the bulls featured in the auction represent the strongest genetics, structure, and breed character.
Most farms only need one or two bulls but have space for multiple females.
To meet buyer demand and maintain breed integrity, we prioritize showcasing top-tier bulls and keeping the total number limited.
Your bull may still be a great fit for your own herd or local sales — he just wasn’t among the most competitive entries for this year’s auction.
We reserve the right to refuse any animal that does not meet our health, registration, or breed standards, or that we feel is not in the best interest of the auction.
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When can I deliver animals to the sale?
Wednesday, October 29 — 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Thursday, October 30 — 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Friday, October 31 — 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Saturday, November 1 — Before 10:00 AM
If you need to arrive earlier, contact Tim Miller at 352-267-4829
Do I need to bring anything?
Yes. You must bring your own water tub and feed.
Hay is available for purchase but must be preordered when you submit your consignment form. It will not be available last minute at the facility.
What health paperwork is required to consign?
All consigned animals must have:
- Official ID (EID) and Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI)
dated within 30 days​
- Breed tattoo listed on CVI​
- Negative BVD-PI test (once in lifetime)​
- Trichomoniasis test (bulls 12+ months)​
- Breeding soundness exam (bulls over 14 months)​
- Brucellosis test within 30 days of sale
(unless calfhood vaccinated with tattoo)​
Animals from Brucellosis Certified Free Herds
are exempt from Brucellosis testing.​
- Bring one extra printed copy of the health certificate per animal.
​SHOW INFORMATION
When do show entries open and close?
August 15 – October 5, 2025. All show entries will be done online.
Is a health certificate required to show?
Yes. All show animals must have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) dated within 30 days.
Do animals need to be AHCA registered to show?
Yes. All animals must be AHCA registered and in good standing to enter the Open Show.
Junior Show participants may show heifers or steers under 2 years old registered in their name, a parent’s, grandparent’s, or legal guardian’s name. Showmanship rules are more flexible.
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When can I arrive for show check-in?
Earliest arrival: Wednesday, October 29 at 2:00 PM
Latest arrival: Thursday, October 30 by 8:00 PM
Why haven’t you announced the show judges?
For 2025, we’ve chosen to keep our judge selection private.
We want to create a fair and honest show. Too often, favoritism and behind-the-scenes influence affect decisions in the show world. Some people decide whether to enter based on who the judge is or what favors they can call in.
By keeping judge names confidential until the show, we’re doing our best to protect the integrity of the event and give every animal a fair shot. While nothing is guaranteed, this approach helps ensure cattle are judged on quality, not connections, to the best of our ability.
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It’s my first show and I don’t know what to do.
You’re in the right place. We love welcoming new exhibitors! This is a friendly, supportive event with plenty of experienced breeders, volunteers, and fellow participants ready to offer guidance and answer questions.
If you're new to showing and will need hands-on help, we can connect you with the Daniel Boone FFA Beef Show Team, who will be volunteering throughout the weekend. They’re a fantastic group of young leaders who can assist with unloading, grooming, and leading cattle. If they lend you a hand, we kindly recommend tipping them as a thank-you.
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If you'd like to be paired with a student helper, please email LeannLittleTurner@gmail.com in advance to schedule help for the day of the show.
We’ll make sure you feel welcome and supported. You're not alone in this.
Please note: Your animal must be halter-broken and safe to lead prior to arrival in order to participate.​
Do I have to fit my cattle for the show?
Fitting is completely optional — it’s a personal decision. While fitted cattle may have a more polished look in the ring, we understand that not everyone wants to trim or clip their animals, and some may not know how.
Fitting is not required at our show.
If you decide you want to fit your animal but need help, please email LeannLittleTurner@gmail.com in advance to schedule help for the day of the show.
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Do I need to bring anything to show?
Yes — all animals must meet the following requirements to participate:
-Be AHCA registered
-Be halter-broken and safe to lead
-Have a legible tattoo matching registration papers
-Have an official USDA-approved identification tag
(either a metal NUES tag or 840 EID tag)
-Have a current health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian
-You must also bring your own halter, water tub, and feed.
Hay is available for purchase, but it must be preordered when you sign up your animal to show. It will not be available for last-minute purchase at the facility.
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Why do you only allow AHCA-registered animals?
We believe the American Highland Cattle Association (AHCA) is the only legitimate Highland cattle registry in the United States.
Maintaining AHCA registration helps preserve the integrity of the breed, ensures accurate lineage, and protects the value of Highland genetics for future generations.
For that reason, all animals shown or consigned at our event must be registered with AHCA.
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Do you have security?
Yes — we have a night watchman on-site during the event to help monitor the grounds.
However, please note that animals and equipment are left at your own risk, and neither the facility nor show organizers are liable for any loss, damage, or injury. We do our best to provide a safe and respectful environment for everyone.
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Friday Night Dinner, Music & Awards
What is the Banquet?
The banquet is a casual Friday night dinner held at the fairgrounds — a time to relax, socialize, and connect with other breeders and attendees. Awards will be handed out, and there will be live music during the evening.
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I'm new to the breed, am I welcome at the Banquet?
Absolutely! In fact, we highly recommend attending if you’re new to Highlands. It’s the perfect chance to meet other breeders, ask questions, make friends, and become part of the community.
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What should I wear?
Whatever you're comfortable in! Most attendees dress casually — jeans and boots are just fine.​
What will be served?
Menu details will be posted on the Banquet page as soon as they are finalized. Check back soon!
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Can I buy a ticket at the door?
No. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
There will be no sales at the door.
Visit the Banquet page for updates and to reserve your spot.
VENDORS​
Can I set up a vendor booth?
Yes! We welcome vendors selling arts & crafts,
farm-themed products, and gifts.​
For pricing, setup times, and booth guidelines, visit the Vendor Page for full details and to apply.
Have questions or want to get involved?​
​Whether you have questions about the auction, show, consigning, or becoming a vendor, we’d love to hear from you.
Contact Us:
southeasthighlandcattle@gmail.com
Call: Tim Miller – 352-267-4829
Text: Emily Young – 828-208-5015
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