CUSTER COUNTY–Custer County 4-H and FFA members invite you to attend the 4-H/FFA Livestock Auction at the Fairgrounds (click here for directions) on Thursday, August 2 under the covered show arena at the Custer County Fairgrounds, beginning promptly at 7:00 p.m.
This auction has been generously supported by area businesses, organizations, and individuals for many years. The support is appreciated by 4-H and FFA members and their families and helps maintain a strong 4-H and FFA livestock youth program in Custer County.
The auction provides a way for the 4-H or FFA members to market their project animal at a reasonable premium. This premium helps cover the additional costs of caring, training, and exhibiting the animal at county fair.
“The auction is conducted entirely by volunteers who help make the event the success it is,” stated Nebraska Extension Educator Troy Walz.
Many individuals and businesses have contributed in numerous ways. Booster clubs from various communities and county wide join together with businesses to purchase the livestock. Sale orders, line up, clerking, and loadout are all areas where a tremendous amount of hard work and cooperation take place.
The Custer County Ag Society will manage the auction this year. Michelle Nelson, Kristi Mason, Cassie Hansen, Michelle Pearson, and Kinsy Ryan will be in charge of the auction accounting and Jim Eberle, Wayne Slingsby, Cory Palmer, and Paul Schipporeit will be the auctioneers.
“Approximately 275 market lambs, swine, meat goats, and cattle will sell at this year’s 4-H/FFA auction,” Walz stated.
For businesses wanting to purchase an animal at the sale but not own the animal, the business can put the animal on “base” when they purchase it. Putting the animal on “base” simply means that the business is going to pay the price or premium over what someone, an individual or livestock business, has agreed to pay before the sale for a certain species, e.g. beef.
For example, if the winning base bid for beef is $110 per hundred weight or $1.10 per pound and a business purchases a 1200 pound steer at the sale for $1.40 per pound and puts the animal on “base”, then the business will owe $360 (1200 lbs X $0.30 premium over the base bid), but will not own the animal. The total amount the 4-Her will receive will be $1,680 (1200 lbs X $1.40), but the entity who was the base bid winner will pay $1,320 (1200 lbs X $1.10), and own the animal. If a business opts to not put their purchase on “base”, then the business will owe the full amount and own the animal.
For persons who want to support the sale but do not wish to purchase an animal, he/she may donate money to the Custer County Livestock Boosters. Donors will be listed and publicized at the auction. For more information and/or to make a donation, please contact the Nebraska Extension Office in Custer County at 872-6831.
Plan now to attend and support the 2018 Custer County 4-H/FFA Livestock Sale. There will be something for every taste and preference.
