Thomas County 4-H Members Showcase Hard Work at Livestock Auction

The Thomas County Fair livestock auction brought the fair’s livestock shows to an emotional close July 30, as 4-H members led their carefully prepared animals into the auction ring.

The evening marked the culmination of months of feeding, grooming and caring for their livestock projects. For some of the younger, less-experienced exhibitors, the approaching end was visibly difficult. Along with their time and effort, they had invested plenty of love in their animals.

The more experienced members entered the ring ready for business. Their goals included recovering expenses from the past year, covering the cost of next year’s projects and, if possible, putting a little money in their pockets.

The arena was filled with families, spectators and agricultural business leaders. To make the setting more comfortable, the Thomas County Fair Board created a smaller auction circle and moved the bleachers out of the sun and beneath the arena’s enormous fan.

Before the auction, 4-H families worked to ensure the livestock looked their best for prospective buyers. The exhibitors also dressed for the occasion, wearing their finest Western outfits and preparing to make a strong impression in the auction ring.

In the market goat sale, which had a market average of $3.30 per pound, Macklyn Carpenter’s grand champion brought $35 per pound from Nutrien Colby. Wrylyn Carpenter’s reserve champion sold for $26 per pound to Western Sprinklers.

The market beef average was $2.40 per pound. Macklyn Carpenter exhibited the grand champion, purchased by Carpenter Cattle for $7.25 per pound. Kimber Carpenter’s reserve champion sold for $7 per pound to Western Sprinklers.

In market swine, with a market average of 40 cents per pound, Cort Stramel’s grand champion sold for $30 per pound to Western Sprinklers. Brody Stramel’s reserve champion brought $20 per pound from Watkins Crop Insurance.

The market lamb average was $2.30 per pound. Raile Mazanec’s grand champion sold for $13.50 per pound to Western State Bank. Brody Stramel’s reserve champion brought $21 per pound from Watkins Crop Insurance.

Although the auction ended the livestock shows, competition continued the following morning with the Round Robin, featuring the top two exhibitors from each species.

Once the final animal had passed through the auction ring, the 4-H members’ work was not finished. They immediately turned their attention to serving a complimentary barbecue meal to the buyers who supported their projects.

The exhibitors served cheeseburgers, hot dogs, chips and cookies. For spectators, the meal offered one of the evening’s most memorable moments. After working hard throughout fair week—and for many months beforehand—the young people served those who help make their livestock programs possible year after year.

Only after thanking their buyers and serving the meal could the exhibitors begin celebrating the fair and looking ahead to next year’s projects.