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canal winchester ohio

That as the auction season goes on the prices are dropping dramatically? I've been graphing the seed prices since the season started for auctions & it's sliding. I know there was a big stir about "little league " auctions hurting prices but there are none of them this season.
I was just saying in chat earlier this evening that as you start slicing the cake into thinner & thinner pieces ( 19 auctions so far & 18 more to go) some people are going to be left wanting more. I said in November we reached the tipping point & everyone said I was over reacting...

1/20/2012 11:43:57 PM

canal winchester ohio

And as clubs take a hit those that had a single auction this year may be doing 2+ next year. Easily could see there being 50-60 auctions next year.

1/20/2012 11:48:03 PM

Montana

Supply and demand Huff...as more and more good genetics become available each year and auction numbers increase, buyers will simply look or wait for alternate/cheaper options. It is a natural curve on the graph that effects all business. Has it plateued? And if so, what are clubs going to offer differently to beat the inevitable downtrend to generate funds for thier clubs? I personally support clubs and purchase all my seeds from auction, but I many times feel I could get them cheaper in a future auction and put a ceiling on my bids. Will clubs start auctioning growing supplies donated by suppliers too? Food for thought...

1/21/2012 1:23:39 AM

Glosta

I've been watching auction results this year too. because of what you mention i started checking last years results. So far have compared 3 results, 1st club had a 35% loss from last years results, with 1 less lot this year.
Another club had an increase this year with 2 less lots this year. The third auction had a 22% decrease this year but also had 7 less lots this year.

1/21/2012 4:06:19 AM

Glosta

Just compared another was a 35% decrease from last year. 1 less lot this year

1/21/2012 4:15:33 AM

Rhode Island

supply and demand. the seeds that will be available in most auctions/ yes the prices will drop as auctions continue forward.its only natural.
the hard to find seeds? will always bring steady money.
yes huff you hit the nail on the head.
all the more reason why clubs need to really brainstorm to find new and or alternate ways to help generate operating funds?

1/21/2012 9:15:01 AM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

We have been seeing this trend for a while now. Dick is absolutely right. Just maintaining the status quo will be a challenge.

1/21/2012 9:28:13 AM

Rhode Island

personally, consider this ---- should the smaller clubs be allowed to eat at the table before the heavy weights get to it?

in other words should a format be considered by ken d to allow smaller-newer clubs to be first out of the auction blocks?. then come in with the bigger established clubs?

certain clubs have no sponsors in hand,these are the clubs im talking about.they rely 100 percent on seed raffles.auctions and sales of some sort to survive.

even if for a couple years until they get established? just a though, not trying to piss anyone off.

also i believe strongly that the smaller clubs should get as much if not more seed donation consideration before the ones that have deep pockets.

after all, what the hell are we building for? its only a hobby and clubs do not, or should not, need more than a reasonable buffer to carry over yearly into the new season.

all im trying to say is that as a hobby of giant pumpkin growers we all share in the responsibility of building the hobby forward.
these new blood and smaller fringe clubs are just as important to the growth of our hobby as the heavy weights.
so finding a way to help them along should be considered.

pap

pap

1/21/2012 3:30:00 PM

Muddy Waters

Clubs need to pursue Sponsors,with this hobby getting so big there is a huge amount of business out there for these companys selling products.I think alot of Clubs are not pursuing this.

1/21/2012 6:31:22 PM

canal winchester ohio

Just how much buisness can be out there from these companies selling us products for our pumpkins? Just a glance from the auction list will tell you there are 35+ clubs out there. Is each company going to sponsor each of the 35+ clubs? Who gets left out & who gets to feed off it. It's easy to say there is a lot out there but when you start looking at all who wants to feed the pot lessens.
Kinda like real life..100 people looking for 30 jobs. You know when the upswing will come back?
When the larger clubs starting absorbing some of the smaller ones.

1/21/2012 7:54:08 PM

canal winchester ohio

Just checked, 70 weighoffs that are GPC & we know there are some that aren't. Are the companies selling products going to send sponsorship monie to all these? Doubtful, but I will bet they will sponsor the larger weighoffs that have big name recognition. That's only good buisness sense.

1/21/2012 7:59:21 PM

canal winchester ohio

agree with you 100% Pap but unfortunally that won't happen. When the big stink arose before this years auction season was it the spokesmen from the newer clubs that was the most vocal? No, it was the well established clubs that got the ball rolling so their share wouldn't be cut into. I won't lie to no one pap & I believe you want all clubs to succeed ( this is well proven by the way Ron & yourself still distribute seeds to all the club.) BUT it's hypocritical to watch these other clubs say they want all clubs to succeed?? So when they have their officers meeting the first thing on the agenda is "How can we make our rivals better""..lol. No, it's how can we seperate ourselves from the other clubs. How can we get growers to come to our weighoff & not someone elses. Everytime I read those posts I laugh and laugh. you know.."Lets say the right thing so growers will still give us some of their seeds to auction off" ..
Been on this site since 2001 & I love how many growers have gotten hooked on this hobby. But it sickens me to see what the drive to have the largest payout has done to it. Now there will probably be people who post after me saying I'm way off base so they will look good in the eyes of the bigger growers & won't be shut out of seed dist. That always happens on here, but those of you who are honest with yourself know this is what's going.
And there will be those that will follow up by saying " I suppose you would give your prize money back"..That's always a good one & usually made by someone who doesn't have a better arguement & the answer is NO I wouldn't because it's the money available & I'll take my prize. But this is about the travel to get there not the reward. And the travel is getting murkier & murkier.

1/21/2012 8:35:54 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

Well Mark, I agree with you in one respect and entirely disagree on another. You have proven that with some hard work and good networking, sponsors are indeed out there. What you have done with and for the GWG should be commended.

We are a small club and since the earlier post that you referred to, we have shared a handful of messages among us. The last message was an inquiry on how best to register a club, what have the other clubs done sort of thing. ie) I shared that we are registered as a non profit with Revenue Canada. The IRS has a similar process, dry stuff.

Fundraising has not come up yet, but I will be the first to offer some suggestions to the other club reps. Like you, I think there are more untapped resources and a little original thinking doesn't hurt either.

Last thing I will say is that our club is not in competition with anyone. The GVGO was very helpful to us in the beginning. Our club supports the Windsor Weigh off each year as best we can and the Dill family has been very good to us. The relationship between the clubs in Nova Scotia could be adversarial, but they aren't. Perhaps in the bigger markets there exists more pressure, but up here in Northern Dogpatch I don't feel any. We fund raise and make due with what we get and I have never heard anyone complain about prize money, only late ribbons ;0)

1/22/2012 11:22:16 AM

canal winchester ohio

If competition in your area is not extreme Andy then you are in a good position. a 150 mile radius around me ( 2 to 2 1/2 hour drive) there are 14 registered gpc weighoffs. That is competition.

1/22/2012 2:54:46 PM