Carla Clark | For The Republic Lane Wiwi shows his Duroc during the 4-H barrow show in the livestock pavillion at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair at the Bartholomew County Fair Grounds, Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, June 25, 2024
The Bartholomew County 4-H Livestock Sale this morning will be a “premium-only” auction for the fourth straight year.
That means that 219 animals – up from 196 last year – will go home with their young handlers after this morning’s (Saturday) event unless the buyer makes other arrangements prior to the event. The auction begins at 8:15 a.m. in the 4-H Pavilion.
The emergence of premium-only auctions began after China and other countries stopped importing animals raised on certain feed additives with growth promoters like Paylean and Optaflexx. As a result, stockyards suddenly became hesitant to take 4-H pigs in 2021.
But Becky Speaker, a fair board co-director who has overseen the livestock auction for several years, says most bidders have expressed a preference for “premium only” auctions.
“That way, most people can actually figure out if they want to butcher their animal or sell it to other people,” Speaker said.
Sheep and cattle being exhibited were up this year, while the number of barrows and gilts were slightly higher than in 2023, 4-H Youth Development director Elisabeth Eaton said. Goats were down by a small amount from last year, she added.
There were 103 registered buyers last year, including 14 who attended for the first time. Speaker anticipates this year’s numbers will be similar.
“We had a very robust amount in “Friends of 4-H” donations this year, so I hope that is what it’s going to be like at the auction as well, she said.
A Friend of 4-H makes a minimum $50 tax-deductible donation, which is combined with other contributions to purchase animals. It allows support to a 4-H member without having to designate which 4H-er’s animal is being purchased. A representative of the 4-H Livestock Sale Committee will act as bidder for the organization.
What often amazes those unfamiliar with the livestock auction is the high level of generosity. Bidders are providing relatively large sums of money to 4-H livestock and poultry producers and often not receiving anything in return.
Ask most bidders why they do it, and the most frequent response you are likely to hear are “to give back to the community.”
“I’d definitely say more than half of our buyers are not necessarily agribusiness,” Speaker said. “They just want to support 4-H and youth.”
These bidders understand that 4-H is extremely valuable in guiding young people to think for themselves, engage in problem-solving and learn valuable traits like new skills, knowledge and leadership, Speaker said.
The program also encourages older and experienced teens to mentor a younger 4-H member. Speaker said that may be exactly what some bidders raised on 4-H are doing to reward the fulfilment of long-term responsibilities, she said.
Last year, the 4-H community mourned the loss of long-time fair leader Larry Fisher. There may be an effort this year to honor the memory of B. Parker Newsom, who died shortly after the conclusion of the 2023 fair at the age of 85.
A lifelong farmer, 4-H leader and professional auctioneer, Newsom volunteered his time and talent to help local 4-Hers by auctioning off their livestock for over half a century.
