Home-grown, hand-raised livestock is up for auction today

More than 70 animals will be shown at the Churchill County Junior Livestock Show and Sale at the Churchill County fairgrounds. Once all animals are shown, they will be up for auction at 1 p.m. today.

The show includes beef, swine, sheep, goats and rabbits.

Amanda Allegre, with the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension office, said the local show is unique in that 4-H and FFA students are allowed to show more than one animal. Students will show their animals at the local junior livestock show this weekend, and they may also show an animals at the Nevada Junior Livestock Show and Sale next weekend.

Allegre, who is managing the local show, said residents can expect to see eight steers, 13 goats, 19 lambs and 28 pigs auctioned this afternoon.

The steers are 13 months old, pigs and lambs about 6 months old, and goats range from 5 to 10 months old. Four market pens of rabbits will also be at the show.

The first official weigh-in for project animals was held in November, and the latest weight will be compared to weigh-in figures taken Thursday afternoon. Allegre said the difference between the weights determines the rate of gain, and participants are eligible to receive a rate of gain award along with other awards.

Allegre said the animals will be sold in a standard auction this year, a change from previous years when pre-sale contracts were signed.

Add-ons will also be eliminated this year from the auction side of the sale, she said, because they took away from the auction aspect. By returning to a standard auction, Allegre hopes to draw more residents to the show and sale.

"We want people in the seats," she said. "Come support the show and help raise money for these kids."

Once an animal is sold, it is transported to a local slaughterhouse where arrangements for different cuts of meat and wrapping are made.

Allegre reminds buyers that after the live animal is purchased, they still have the slaughterhouse processing fee to pay.

"It's still a good bargain. You know you're getting hand-raised animals," Allegre said. "That's quality meat going into your freezer."

The money the students receive from their sold project animals often does not cover their costs to raise the animals.

"Between feed and the animal's purchase price, it's hard to get out of the red," Allegre said.

All exhibitors are also required to keep a record book to log their income, expenses, depreciation, feed amount and handling time. Students also must estimate the price per pound they must receive to come out in the black.

Judging of market animals takes place this morning, with rabbit judging this afternoon. Animals raised strictly for breeding projects will be shown this afternoon starting at 2 p.m. All events take place at the Churchill County fairgrounds.

Event Schedule

8 a.m. - Opening ceremonies

8:15 a.m. - Swine, sheep, beef and goat showmanship

8:30 a.m. - Buyers registration begins

11 a.m. - Round robin showmanship

1 p.m. - Auction

6-10 p.m. - Buyers appreciation dinner, awards and dance at the Multipurpose Building at the fairgrounds.