PARIS, Ky. — Tradition means so much to most farmers, and Sam Faulkner is no different. That’s why the reopening of the Paris Stockyards means so much to him.

Faulkner has a history with the Bourbon County facility since it opened in 1965. “I was here the first day they had a sale,” he explained.

So, it was bad news for him and the community when the stockyards closed last summer by then-owners United Producers, and it did so at a time when the cattle market is experiencing a strong period. Fortunately for producers in the area, Loy Brothers from Russell Springs bought and reopened it, bringing in Faulkner as its manager along with Co-Manager Craig Taylor.

At the age of 13, Faulkner probably didn’t know that first sale would play such a big role in his life. In fact, five generations of his family have sold cattle at the stockyards. “It’s a little more than a job here,” he said.

He knows a thing or two about the livestock business, running approximately 2,000 feeder cattle a year, and has seen its ups and downs – or, as he puts it, “I’ve been on the hill and I’ve been in the valley. But the livestock business is one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.”

Being on the hill is a tradition at the Paris Stockyards, which routinely saw sales of 2,000-3,000 head of cattle a week; some of the best ever seen and known all over the United States for quality, Faulkner noted. Then again, the Bourbon County area is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the state, known not only for its cattle but at one time, one of the top tobacco-producing counties in the state.

This is not the first time Faulkner has served as manager of the stockyards. Over the years, he has done that job five separate times for four different owners. He said he has tried to hire people who have had family members work there in the past or people who have done business there over the years.

In doing so, he has created a place that not only holds memories for him but for others who live in the area. “We’re trying to embed this into the community. We want this friendly atmosphere,” he said.

If the reopening sale, held two weeks ago, is any indication, Faulkner is headed in the right direction. A total of 1,918 head were sold that day, reminiscent of what the stockyards was once like. Faulkner said cattle came from everywhere.

“We were well pleased. Just the enthusiasm with people coming to thank us, it was one of the best days of my life. These people had the faith in us, or at least wanted to show they were glad we are here,” he said.

Faulkner added when he left that night, the parking lot was illuminated by the glow of semi truck lights waiting to haul the animals; a sight he had not seen there in quite some time.

The stockyards, like many in rural America, is a landmark of sorts in Paris and the surrounding area – and with its closure came a void sending many producers much further away to sell their animals. But one thing working in the favor of Paris Stockyards and others is the upswing in the cattle business. Last week cattle futures hit an all-time high and Faulkner said it would be difficult to be dissatisfied if one is a producer in today’s market.

Another thing that helps is despite the stockyards being nearly 50 years old, he pointed out it’s far from being outdated, and being located in the heart of cattle country doesn’t hurt.

Faulkner plans to hang pictures throughout the hallways of the structure; pictures taken of people at the sales and on their farms with their families. He also said the facility restaurant will reopen soon.

Faulkner has a good feeling about the future of the stockyards and its new owners. He said they are farmers too and have a slogan of “Farmers doing business with farmers.”

Paris stockyards is located at 1120 Millersburg Road, Paris, KY 40362; Thursdays are sale days, with video sales over the Internet coming by mid-March. Anyone wishing to buy, sell or just come to the stockyards may call 859-987-1977 or 859-588-4422.