Steers, lambs, goats, rabbits, chickens, turkeys and dairy animals were presented Saturday with their 4-H member farmers at the Boulder County Fair, 9595 Nelson Road.
The young farmers were rewarded for their dedication to their animals at the Junior Market Livestock Sale. People from several local businesses and fairgoers came to the auction and placed their bids while 4-H members paraded their livestock in the ring. The first animal sold was the Grand Champion Market Goat, which sold for $3,600.
“I think the most exciting part is watching the kids work so hard and get really great prices,” said John Herring, president of the Boulder County Fair Junior Livestock Sale Committee. “(They) are shocked at how much their hard work is rewarded in the ring.”
Many of the animals will be resold to the sale committee and donated to charities. All of the poultry and one pig will go to the Erie Community Food Bank, and two calves will likely be donated to Meals on Wheels locations in Boulder County.
Herring said he hopes this year’s sale will raise about $250,000.
“We’re going to raise the money directly for kids, for our scholarship program,” Herring said. “And then we’re going to probably put between 5,000 and 10,000 pounds of meat in the freezers of local charities.”
Julia Ruddick, the owner of this year’s Grand Champion breeding sow, has previously sold seven animals at the livestock sale at the Junior Market. After each sale, she writes a thank you card to her buyers.
“Every year it’s a different experience,” said Ruddick. “You get to meet a lot of new people.”
Addison Caldwell, 15, is in her second year in 4-H. Her lamb, James, won the overall heavyweight division thanks to his large, muscular body.
“It’s cool to see how far they’ve come,” Caldwell said of her animals. “Once you’re at the show, it’s almost like they’re your children.”
Caldwell said it was still hard to say goodbye, even though selling James at the auction had been her biggest goal for months.
“No matter how hard you try, you’re going to get attached to them,” she said. “But you know this is the next phase of their life.”
Jett Hinze, 18, won the Grand Champion Market Prize this year with his steer Ludacris. He said his victory was down to the time he spent with Ludacris in the barn every day.
On Saturday, Hinze participated in the livestock sale at the Junior Market for the last time as a 4-H member. He said he has gotten used to the process since he has sold many animals.
“You just tell yourself that you’re already looking forward to next year, and that’s what makes this year so sad,” Hinze said.
Longmont 4-H member Madeline Bennett, 11, and her calf Lotto took first place in the intermediate beef showmanship class.
“He’s probably the nicest calf here,” Bennett said. “I don’t really want to let him go. He’s my baby.”
4-H members are encouraged to contact potential buyers and promote their animals in preparation for Saturday’s sale. Bennett said she has sent out many emails and visited local businesses, including The Mountain Fountain in Hygiene.
Bennett said she was pleased that so many people and groups supported agriculture.
“The most important thing is to make sure the county is doing as well as possible,” Bennett said. “That’s my goal.”
Originally published:
