By Stephen Smoot
Potomac Highlands livestock producers received a shock in recent weeks. One of the most respected livestock exchanges in the Eastern United States, South Branch Livestock Exchange, would go up for auction after about nine decades. With processes prioritizing health and care of animals and guardianship of more-than-three-century-old lines of cattle genetics, the stockyards earned a national reputation for both quality and quantity of cattle sold there.
All can breathe easier. The “largest and oldest sale barn in the state of West Virginia” will remain in familiar hands dedicated to continuing a legacy of excellence.
Gary Vance steered the ship for about a quarter century and also served as an auctioneer for over a half century. Now a consortium of three, Brandon Neely, Dave McGee, and Travis Hinkle, will take over operations with the goal of maintaining the services and processes that producers and buyers have come to rely on. As the industry evolves, the stockyards will continue to work to make processes as efficient and as beneficial as possible.”
“It’s a big step,” shared Neely. The three new owners will still rely on many who have been key to the exchange’s success over the decades. Said Neely, “Roger Pratt has been here since he was 13 years old and he was one of the owners with Gary.” He went on to add that “Roger will continue to be here working with us. When you think of the South Branch Stockyards, Roger is one of the first things to come to people’s minds.”
Also a veteran of the stockyards since childhood and still a key part of the operation, Brandon’s wife Jackie Neely will continue her diligent and wide-ranging work, especially in preparation of cattle for sale. “My wife will be a big part of this,” he said.
Neely shared that his passion for the field of auctioneering started early. Neely explained that “ever since I was a little boy, auctioneering was a passion.” McGee stated that he had worked with Neely’s family as he grew up. “He was always trying to sell me little plastic cows” and other farm toys, McGee smiled.
He then added that Neely “always wanted to be a world class auctioneer.” Neely had a way of relentlessly pursuing his dreams to fruition, winning a world championship in auctioneering in 2015. At the age of 12, he told McGee “I’d like to own a stockyard and be an auctioneer.” McGee’s response to the young man was that if he ever had an opportunity, McGee would be there to help.
Now with the help of McGee and Hinkle, Neely stands poised to realize both of his life’s major dream, running the South Branch Stockyards and auctioneering there.
This consortium ensuring continuity of operations was not a foregone conclusion. Hardy County Commissioner David Workman, with decades of experience and work in Potomac Highlands agriculture, voiced concerns prior to the auction that “someone with deep pockets will come in” and buy the land for residential housing or some other business. Workman explained that neither of those would match the sheer economic impact that South Branch Livestock Exchange brings to the region every single year of its existence.
McGee came to the group after working 30 years for the State of West Virginia throughout the Eastern Panhandle.
Travis Hinkle of Riverton in Pendleton County was the third to join and complete the partnership. As part of the family-owned Hinkle Trucking that has been led by three generations of the family, he adds transportation capability and logistics experience. He shared that the 1985 flood nearly wiped out the company’s physical assets and it has been painstakingly rebuilt in the years and decades since.
That rebound demonstrated the resilience of both the company and the family that owns it. It also creates a long-haul type of mentality that prioritizes persistent growth over decades through the ups and downs. Additionally, Hinkle raises his own cattle. Over time, his and Neely’s paths crossed and they combined efforts.
“I always thought Brandon was in line for it (ownership of the stockyards) anyway,” said Hinkle. He added that he told Neely “if you need help, I’m behind you. I don’t want you to lose it. I’m here for what you need.”
Then Hinkle said “I called Brandon one night. We talked business. We talked cows, and now we’re partners.”
One theme among all partners lay in their dedication to maintaining the legacy crafted over 90 and some years, especially in the last 25 by Vance. Neely said “Gary was one of the top auctioneers. I idolized Gary and wanted to follow in his footsteps.” Vance returned the respect by employing Neely as an auctioneer at the age of 15 and from there the young man’s career rocketed all the way to a world championship in the field in 2015.
For a decade, as Neely describes, Vance mentored him closely, teaching him the details of operating the business the South Branch way. This prepared him to take over a livestock exchange business during a time of uncertainty in the field of beef, especially. According to USDA NASS, the federal agricultural statistics reporting service, commercial red meat production dropped 17 percent between Dec 2024 and Dec 2025. Commercial cattle slaughter declined by 22 percent in the same period of time. Nationally, the number of cattle and calves dropped by about 320,000 head in the same December-to-December time frame.
South Branch Stockyards Operation
The inability of the U.S. cattle industry to increase production to meet demand and cool price increases has pushed the value of quality cattle higher. Hinkle said the price of a good bull could range between $10,000 and $100,000. Average cost is approximately $10,000 to $15,000.
With “a cattle shortage,” Neely says that the business can bank on “the best reputation on the East Coast” to not only maintain, but also expand volume of business. “We will have the buyers,” he shared.
Having a sterling reputation for not only sales, but treatment of cattle in house makes South Branch one of the most desired facilities with which to conduct business. Expert staff prioritize tending to their health as part of a regimen of care followed with each animal. With each animal carrying higher-than-ever prices, that reputation becomes more vital than ever for producers and buyers alike.
The group will continue Vance and Pratt’s decision to hold sales on Saturdays instead of Wednesdays, as had been done previously. Neely noted that with many farmers carrying part or even full time employment outside the farm, convenience dictated keeping those sales on that schedule. Wednesdays will have, however, miscellaneous sales. Special sales in April and October will continue as they have.
Neely also shared that the future might bring occasional consignment farm equipment auctions and that the second floor restaurant could return to operation in some fashion. McGee will put his expertise of previously operating the Mineral County Farmers Market to work on this property.
As Hinkle stated, one of the major goals of the new owners in terms of the Exchange is “we’re hoping to make things better without change” whether better means more efficient processes or expanded services to join the traditional. Those who have done business with the Stockyards for years or decades will find their needs met in the same ways as traditionally. Others will come to do business in different ways. Both will expand the business and continue to serve both the industry and community well.
With the business purchased, however, the hard work for the three men and their team truly begins. “We made a large investment for the people and for the producers here,” explained Neely. He added that “now we need the producers to support us so that we can continue the legacy of superior cattle and excellent service while also remaining a huge force in the local economy.”
