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of the bidders were in the stands as well, while others stood lining
the arena fencing. Many animals were sold, including one goat, and
several steers, barrows, and sheep. All three Logan County Fair
Queens were in attendance as well.
The auction was also sponsored by many local businesses. The
auctioneers informed the audience that they do not get state funding
for this event and were sure to have everyone give the sponsors a
round of applause for making sure the auction was able to happen.
The sponsors of the auction included Performance Vinyl Graphics, the
Tom Cross Family. Atteberry Farms, Harbrand Fertilizer, Graue Inc.,
Atlanta Locker Service, Rohlfs Implement Co., Inc., Central Illinois
Ag, Herrin Fertilizers and Farm Chemicals, MKS Livestock, and
Schwantz Farm, Inc. Many of these sponsors also purchased animals
during the auction.
The auction began with the only goat of the show. Mason Short
brought his champion Boer Cross goat out and, as they did with
everyone else to follow, the auctioneers introduced Short and his
animal. There was some back-and-forth bidding before Short’s goat
was purchased.
Next came the steers, many of which were also champions or award
winners in the previous 4-H Beef Show. While Short's goat was sold
for a lump sum, the steers were sold by the pound. The auctioning
started at the current market price for steers, which was $1.82 per
pound and went up from there. The weights of the steers varied, with
the lightest being just over 900 pounds and the heaviest coming in
at over 1,500 pounds. While most of the steers sold for anywhere
between $2.50 - $3.00 per pound, one animal sold for $4.50 per
pound.
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After all of the steers had been auctioned off, the
barrows were the next group of animals to be sold. This was by far
the largest portion of the show. Where fifteen steers were auctioned
off, there were thirty barrows up for auction. Like with the steers,
the barrows were sold by the pound starting at the current market
price, $0.77. The weights of these animals ranged from 200-300
pounds. The barrows had a much wider range of offers from the crowd.
Most of the barrows sold between approximately $3.00 - $5.00.
Several of the barrows sold for more than this though, with the
highest priced barrow of the day being sold for $12 per pound.
The final section of the show was dedicated to the sheep, with three
animals up for auction. The sheep all came in between 100-150
pounds, but their market price per pound was higher than that of the
steers or barrows, at $2.00. The sheep were also sold for the
highest amount per pound of any animals sold in such a fashion. The
sheep were all sold between $13 and $15 per pound.
Once the show was over, the organizers again thanked everyone in
attendance. They also informed the audience that, in total, about
$40,000 had been spent on these animals, almost all of which will go
to the 4-H kids who raised these animals.
[Matt Boutcher] |
