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The Auction
The Action is a high-energy climactic fair event, usually held at the end of the event, where youth exhibitors from 4H or FFA sell thier livestock, industrial arts or home economiacs projects to the highest bidder. It is a vital fundraiser that rewards you-long efforts connects youth to agricultural careers & allows community members to purchase high-quality products.
Before the Auction
All potential Buyers must register for a bidder number in order to bid on any of the animals. Bidding numbers are distributed before & during the auction at the Fair Office. See our Schedule for Auction Day events & times.
Before bidding begins, buyers are encouraged to walk through the barns to inspect the animals & meet the exhibitors. This inspection helps buyers decide which animals they want to bid on. Buyers evaluate livestock based on health, condition, weight, frame size & overall quality.
How the Auction Process Works
The auction process is designed for speed and efficiency and will sell all exhibitors animals in a single day.
The Auction Ring
Animals enter the Auction ring with their exhibitor and the auctioneer uses a rhythmic, fast-paced chant to call out bids.
Bidding
Buyers signal their offers using hand gestures or by raising their bidding number. Bidding increases in increments until only one bidder remains.
After The Animal Is Sold
Once the auctioneer declares an animal “sold,” the buyer must complete paperwork that documents their purchase.
A runner will present the paperwork to the buyer in the stands. The buyer will need to complete the paperwork. The runner will then leave the the buyer’s copy of the paper work with the buyer then deliver a copy to the Fair Office.
Pay For Your Purchase
You do not need to pay for your purchase immediatly after your paperwork is completed. You can stay in your seat & bid on other offerings if you wish!
When you’re ready to pay, go to the Fair Office & we will process your purchase. You can do this at any time while the Auction is going on, or wait until the end of the auction. We accept personal checks or credit / debit cards.
What To Know About Costs
The auction is where buyers can purchase high-quality, hand-raised meat. Most importantly, Buyers support youth exhibitors and help them achieve a positive future.
Exhibitors are provided with the opportunity to recoup expenses associated with their livestock project via the Auction. Raising a livestock animal is a large financial investment. Costs include the initial purchase of the animal, feed, equipment & maintenance. Even with the sale of an animal, not all youth exhibitors break even on their project.
We’ve detailed the costs incurred for both Buyers & Exhibitors for each Auction species below.
Beef
What to Know as a Buyer
- At the time of the sale, market beef will weigh between 900 and 1350 pounds with an average weight of 1325 pounds. Market beef sell for between $2.00 and $4.00 a pound with an average price of $3.30 per pound.
- Processing fees (butchering, cutting, and wrapping) vary based on the butcher. The estimated processing total is $875. For a precise amount, contact one of the suggested butchers.
- After butchering and processing, market beef yield about 30% (+/- 10%) meat. If the average market beef weighs 1325 pounds, the yield will be about 400+ pounds of meat.
- 400+ pounds of meat will need about 14 to 16 cubic feet of freezer space.
What Does an Exhibitor Put in to Raising a Market Beef?
- The animal receives 8 to 9 months of hand feeding, exercise, and care.
- One market beef is purchased for $1800 to $2500.
- The cost of feed to finish a market beef is $1500 to $2000.
- The total estimated investment into raising a market beef is $3300 to $4500.
With a conservative average financial investment of $3900 into a market beef at an average weight of 1325 pounds, the breakeven point for the kids, when selling through the auction, is $2.95 per pound.
Swine
What to Know as a Buyer
- At the time of the sale, market swine will weigh between 200 and 280 pounds with an average weight of 265 pounds.
- Market pigs sell for between $2.00 and $4.00 a pound with an average price of $3.50 per pound.
- Processing fees (butchering, cutting, and wrapping) vary based on the butcher. The estimated processing total is $400. For a precise amount, contact one of the suggested butchers.
- After butchering and processing, market swine yield about 55% (+/- 10%) meat. If the average market swine weighs 265 pounds, the yield will be about 146 pounds of meat.
- 146 pounds of meat will need about 8 cubic feet of freezer space.
What Does an Exhibitor Put in to Raising a Market Swine?
- The animal receives 4 months of hand feeding, exercise, and care.
- One market swine is purchased for $200 to $300.
- The cost of feed to finish a market swine is $250 to $300.
- The total estimated investment into raising a market swine is $450 to $600.
With a conservative average financial investment of $525 into a market swine at an average weight of 265 pounds, the breakeven point for the kids, when selling through the auction, is $2.00 per pound.
Lamb
What to Know as a Buyer
- At the time of the sale, market lambs will weigh between 100 and 150 pounds with an average weight of 140 pounds.
- Market lambs sell for between $2.50 and $4.00 a pound with an average price of $3.25 per pound.
- Processing fees (butchering, cutting, and wrapping) vary based on the butcher. The estimated processing total is $145. For a precise amount, contact one of the suggested butchers.
- After butchering and processing, market lambs yield about 60% (+/- 10%) meat. If the average market lamb weighs 140 pounds, the yield will be about 84 pounds of meat.
- 84 pounds of meat will need about 2 to 3 cubic feet of freezer space.
What Does an Exhibitor Put in to Raising a Market Lamb?
- The animal receives 4 months of hand feeding, exercise, and care.
- One market lamb is purchased for $250 to $400.
- The cost of feed to finish a market lamb is $200 to $250.
- The total estimated investment into raising a market lamb is $450 to $600.
With a conservative average financial investment of $550 into a market lamb at an average weight of 140 pounds, the breakeven point for the kids, when selling through the auction, is $3.95 per pound.
Goat
What to Know as a Buyer
- At the time of the sale, market goats will weigh between 55 and 125 pounds with an average weight of 80 pounds.
- Market goats sell for between $2.50 and $4.00 a pound with an average price of $3.25 per pound.
- Processing fees (butchering, cutting, and wrapping) vary based on the butcher. The estimated processing total is $145. For a precise amount, contact one of the suggested butchers.
- After butchering and processing, market goats yield about 60% (+/- 10%) meat. If the average market goat weighs 80 pounds, the yield will be about 48 pounds of meat.
- 48 pounds of meat will need about 2 to 3 cubic feet of freezer space.
What Does an Exhibitor Put in to Raising a Market Goat?
- The animal receives 4 months of hand feeding, exercise, and care.
- One market goat is purchased for $200 to $300.
- The cost of feed to finish a market goat is $200 to $250.
- The total estimated investment into raising a market goat is $400 to $550.
With a conservative average financial investment of $475 into a market goat at an average weight of 80 pounds, the breakeven point, when selling through the auction, is $5.90 per pound.
Something Else for Page Reviewers . . .
Here’s something curious I Found on Facebook / 2024
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=947451653851418&set=a.545515744045013&id=100057597754091
Links to:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScjk1l6TgT2Z_3MNj_fWfINJOKJG6sZ1c_JIJNDZg6sQ9o_dA/viewform
Not sure if this Google Account is still active or if it belongs to RJF. Someone should check on this.
However, a if a Pre-Registration form would be of value, one has been created, based on the Google Document.
Not sure who should be the recipient of the form, but guessing it would be one of these three, or all three:
Fair Clerk: fairclerk@ramonajuniorfair.org
Fair Administrator: dcollins@ramonajuniorfair.org
Livestock Superintendent: livestocksuper@ramonajuniorfair.org
Livestock Auction Buyer Pre-Registration
Draft Add On Form