Milam Mules Select Mule Sale
Hip #24, Montego, a 9-year-old, 15.1-hand dun john mule consigned by Milam Mules, was the high-selling mule of the sale at $18,400. Photo by Milam Mules Select Mule Sale
The weather in Missouri in February can be unpredictable, but for the Milam Mules Select Mule Sale, it was ‘just about perfect’ with sunshine and temperatures in the low 70s. Held at Rockin Chair Ranch in Sikeston, Mo., February 27 and 28, 2026, the weekend’s unseasonably warm weather allowed in-person buyers to see the mules in action both indoors and out. Combined with those watching from afar able to watch the trail challenge for consigned mules live-streamed on Facebook, and online bidding available on sale day, the Milams achieved impressive results for their inaugural sale.
Brock Milam, of Milam Mules in Benton, Mo., said he wanted to host a mule sale on the same Southeast Missouri soil where his ancestors traded mules. “In the 1930s, Southeast Missouri was known around the world for its thriving mule trade, and my family was right in the middle of it,” said Brock. “I wanted to keep everything right here in the same area my ancestors did.” The men pictured in the back of the photo on the sale flyers were his great-grandfather, grandfather, and great-uncle. “This picture represents the over 5,000 mules sold that year for work and riding mules,” said Brock.
Brock said that though many mules come from Southeast Missouri and the surrounding area, mules from all over the USA were consigned to this sale, as were the buyers in attendance. “We had representation from well over half the United States, along with Canada. Folks came from Pennsylvania, Georgia, Minnesota, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Iowa, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Arizona, Louisiana, Arkansas, and more.”
Friday’s Trail Challenge had a strong turnout. “Many people told us it was fast-paced, interesting, and kept them engaged,” said Brock. “We are very proud of that.”
Hip #24, Montego, a 9-year-old, 15.1-hand dun john mule consigned by Milam Mules, was the high-selling mule of the sale at $18,400. Hip #30, Little Red, a 6-year-old, 15.1-hand sorrel john mule consigned by Gary Walters, was the reserve high seller at $17,000. Hip #32, Eli, a 4-year-old, 16-hand black john mule consigned by Vernon Borntrager, was in third at $15,000, selling to a buyer in Florida. Rounding out the top five were Hip #22, Gypsy, consigned by Emanuel Borntreger and selling for $13,200, and Hip #20, Miss Kitty, consigned by Vernon Borntreger.
“We offered 49 head of mules, and only 8 did not sell,” said Brock Milam. “The average selling mule brought $8,500, and this was a true trail class of mules.”
Though the Milams said they can’t promise the weather will cooperate as well as it did this year, the sale will again be held next year in Southeast Missouri, featuring 50 select mules on the last weekend of February. Mark your calendars for next year’s sale, February 26-27, 2027. The consignment deadline is January 10, 2027. For more information, find them on Facebook at Milam Mules Select Mule Sale.
Hip #30, Little Red, a 6-year-old, 15.1-hand sorrel john mule consigned by Gary Walters, was the reserve high seller at $17,000. Photo by Milam Mules Select Mule Sale
Hip #24, Montego, a 9-year-old, 15.1-hand dun john mule consigned by Milam Mules, was the high-selling mule of the sale at $18,400. Hip #30, Little Red, a 6-year-old, 15.1-hand sorrel john mule consigned by Gary Walters, was the reserve high seller at $17,000. Hip #32, Eli, a 4-year-old, 16-hand black john mule consigned by Vernon Borntrager, was in third at $15,000, selling to a buyer in Florida. Rounding out the top five were Hip #22, Gypsy, consigned by Emanuel Borntreger and selling for $13,200, and Hip #20, Miss Kitty, consigned by Vernon Borntreger.
“We offered 49 head of mules, and only 8 did not sell,” said Brock Milam. “The average selling mule brought $8,500, and this was a true trail class of mules.”
Though the Milams said they can’t promise the weather will cooperate as well as it did this year, the sale will again be held next year in Southeast Missouri, featuring 50 select mules on the last weekend of February. Mark your calendars for next year’s sale, February 26-27, 2027. The consignment deadline is January 10, 2027. For more information, find them on Facebook at Milam Mules Select Mule Sale.