Meridian Livestock opens
Meridian Livestock has finally opened its doors to the public. Yesterday, the facility kicked off its grand opening with a ribbon cutting and livestock auction.
“It’s just kind of a country atmosphere. You come as you are and enjoy the day. It’s a place for kids. They can see different things,” said Co-owner Moley Herring.
Residents interested in selling or purchasing livestock participated in today’s auction.
“We hold them every Monday, starting at noon. Once a month, on the first Monday of the month, we have a goat sale that starts at 11:00,” said Herring.
He added that he and his business partner, Ralph Morgan, decided to open Meridian Livestock after
Meridian Stockyards, another livestock auctioning facility, started declining over the years.
“Most people got rid of their cattle. But cattle is coming back now. They’ve been having right at 500 heads. That’s really good. They have about 600 or 700 today,” said Morgan.
The beef industry in East Mississippi and West Alabama generates over $10 million annually. Auctioned off cattle are headed to either the meat packing house or feed lots.
“The producers in this area are responsible for the steaks you eat and the hamburgers you eat.
So, they provide support to that, as far being able to produce quality beef for our steaks,” said Herring.
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