Auction tonight

News

July 30, 2015 - 12:00 AM

Tonight’s Allen County Fair 4-H and FFA Premium Livestock Auction isn’t just about the money.
Youngsters who sell their animals will come away with some cash, but the sales also will be the end of a long journey that for most started with a young animal and involved months of care and feeding and, as the fair approached, disciplining and grooming the animal for showing.
Such close association over several months’ time will leave many young owners with a touch of melancholy. While livestock are too big to be house-broke, they often do take on the role of pets.
The sale will work as it has since its inception in the 1950s. Market prices will be used to establish base bids for each class of animals, steers, hogs, lambs and goats.
People who bid may — and usually do — pay more than base bids, which gives youngsters their premiums.
If the buyer prefers, he or she may pay just the premium and let the animal go to a processor, who pays base bid costs. If the buyer takes possession of the animal, the full price, base bid plus premium, is paid.
Many businesses and individuals participate in the sale each year. Participation is a way to show appreciation and support for efforts youngsters have made to raise and prepare their animals for the fair.
To put potential buyers in a buying mood, pork burgers will be sold starting half an hour before the 7 o’clock sale.

THE AUCTION is certain to have an added level of poignancy.
The late Leon Thompson, one of several local auctioneers who for decades donated their services free of charge, will be remembered.
Thompson died May 27.

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