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After nearly a year of feeding, cleaning, grooming and caring for their livestock projects, the annual Junior Livestock Auction, held Saturday, Sept. 6 at the L.A. County Fair marks the grand finale for many 4-H and FFA members and college students. Animals are shown and judged in a series of competitions, and only the top placing livestock are auctioned off to the public.
During the recent sale of prize livestock, 14 beef cattle, 13 goats, 56 lambs, 27 hogs, 15 turkeys, 25 rabbits, six calves and six chickens went to market – 162 in total. On average prices paid for each held up to last year’s sale prices.
Cody E. Watts from the Greeley 4-H had the Grand Champion Market Steer, which weighed in at 1,321 and sold for $7 per pound or $9,247 to Ray Cammack Shows of Laveen, Arizona, the Fair’s carnival operator, and the Los Angeles County Fair Board of Directors. The 1,346-pound Reserve Grand Champion Market Steer raised by Michelle Evans of Chino Hills sold for $2.75 per pound or $3,701.15 to Art Ludwick of Glendora. Last year the same champions sold for $13 and $7 per pound respectively.
Though the champion prices for market steers were less than last year, the average price of $2.12 paid per pound for the beef sale without the champions was higher. Last year it was $1.69 per pound. With the champions factored in it was $2.51 per pound on average compared to $2.73 in 2007.
Six market calves went on the block this year, compared to only one being sold in 2007. The 344 Grand Champion Calf raised by Michelle Diaz of Hanford sold for $4.10 per pound or $1410.40 and the 285-pound Reserve Champion Calf, also raised by Diaz, sold for $3.10 per pound or $883.50. Both were purchased by Ludwick, the buyer of the Reserve Grand Champion Market Steer. Last year’s champion sold for $6 per pound.
The 104-pound Grand Champion Market Goat raised by Caroline Adam of Santa Maria and Bonita 4-H sold for $7 per pound or $728 to Arthur Partridge of Yorba Linda. The 105-pound Reserve Grand Champion Market Goat raised by Joe Ryan of Righetti FFA in Guadalupe sold for $3 per pound or $315 to the Los Angeles County Fair Board of Directors.
Average prices paid per pound for goats, which were higher than last year, were $3.41 without the champions and $3.65 with the champions, compared to last year’s prices of $2.30 and $3.13 per pound for same.
During the market lamb sale, the 148-pound Grand Champion Market Lamb raised by Amy Hanks of Templeton and Rio Rancheros 4-H sold for $5 per pound or $740 to Partridge, the buyer of the champion goat. Last year’s buyer paid $4.25 per pound for the champion lamb.
The 134-pound Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb raised by Righetti 4-H member Jenna Narron, of Santa Maria, sold for $4.25 per pound or $569.50 to MD Narron Electric of Santa Maria. The previous year’s reserve champion sold for $2.75 per pound.
The average prices for market lambs were $2.09 with champions and $2 without the champions and last year it was $2.42 and $2.38 respectively.
During the market hog auction, the 286-pound Grand Champion raised by Righetti FFA member Amy Guerra of Santa Maria sold to repeat buyer Partridge for $3 per pound or $858. The 270-pound Reserve Grand Champion Market Hog raised by Nipomo FFA member Brooke Phillips of Nipomo and Nipomo FFA sold for $3 per pound or $810 to Ludwick, a repeat buyer.
Average prices for market swine were $2.06 per pound with the champions and $1.99 per pound without the champions, which was up from last year’s $1.87 and $1.66 per pound respectively.
The Champion Rabbit Meat Pen, which includes three rabbits, raised by Amanda Penicks of Norco and Norco Mustangs 4-H sold for $500 to Rockie Mooney of Norwalk. Last year the champion pen sold for $375.
The Reserve Champion Rabbit Meat Pen raised by Alexa Szekely of Rialto and Bloomington Boosters 4-H, sold for $125 to Dennis and Nikki Repp of Newport Beach. Last year the reserve champion pen sold for $350.
The Champion Single Fryer Rabbit raised by Aaron Fernandes of Hemet and Heritage Grange, sold for $370 to repeat buyer Ludwick. The Reserve Champion Single Fryer Rabbit raised by Amanda Penicks, who also had the champion rabbit meat pen, sold for $170 to the Repp’s.
The average price for rabbit pens with champions was $237.50 compared to $233 last year.
The Champion Pen of Poultry Broilers, which also includes three, sold for $475 compared to the 2007 price of $650. It was raised by 4-H member Victoria Convert of Quartz Hill and Quartz Hill 4-H and purchased by Ludwick. Convert also had the champion pen of poultry broilers in 2007. Ludwick also bought the Reserve Champion Pen of Poultry Broilers raised by previous winner Amanda Penicks for $250. Last year it sold for $200.
The Champion Single Market Turkey raised by Marilyn West of Cabazon and Banning Adventures 4-H sold for $550 to Ludwick, compared to last year’s champion price of $325. The Reserve Champion Single Market Turkey raised by Katie Fernandes of Hemet and Heritage Grange sold for $200 to the Repp’s, compared to $175 last year.
The average price paid for turkeys was $193 with the champions and $165 without the champions. It was $180 and $186 comparatively in 2007. Poultry, turkeys and rabbits are sold at a flat price and not per pound.
Though the junior market livestock show has concluded at the Fair, a multitude of livestock judging events and exhibitions will be featured throughout the 18-day run. The 86th L.A. County Fair continues through Sunday, Sept. 28. For more information call (909) 623-3111 or visit the Web site at lacountyfair.com.
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