Turkeys. Chicken. Swine. Beef. It was all at the La Plata County Fair’s Junior Livestock Auction, where members of 4-H clubs around the county got to show off their hard work and showmanship with the animals they’ve raised for the last year.
What’s more, after judges selected champion animals, the popular auction brought almost 10 times the market value to the kids who reared them.
It’s a way for the community to show its support. For many, the money goes for college. For others, it goes right back into to what they love – raising livestock.
Sam Loughman with Elm Ridge Resources bid $11.50 per pound for Keely Harper’s 1,339-pound Grand Champion Market Beef steer named Jaw Breaker. That’s a pretty penny for the 15-year-old from Bayfield, who earned $14,950 based on payout for a maximum of 1,300 pounds.
“It’s all about the kids,” Loughman said.
Keely, who has shown in Kansas City, Denver and Pueblo, was elated. She said the only thing she does is raise livestock. No sports, just show.
“I’ve been working on this for four years now, and it’s very exciting,” she said.
Then she said she knew what to do with her winnings.
“I’m going to spend it on more steers, I guess,” Keely said. “In October, I’ll start over. I enjoy what I do. It’s fun.”
She said auctioning her animals is part of the process.
“It’s just what you do,” she said.
Ten-year-old Holli Timmerman showed her market goat champion. Her parents, Abby and Drew, said 4-H is all about teaching the kids skills.
“The kids work all year,” Abby Timmerman said. “They pay for everything themselves. They learn responsibility.”
Drew Timmerman said they learn skills such as public speaking and demonstrating showmanship.
Holli was sad to see her goat go, her mother said.
“She’s already cried once today,” she said.
bmathis@durangoherald.com
