Bidders started off strong July 26 at the Junior Livestock Sale and hardly let up. When the final bids were placed and the last animals left the sale barn, the event ended with a record year. 

This year’s sale total was $662,584, just over $60,000 more than the previous year. Enrollment was down just a little this year with 258 youth entering the ring compared to last year’s 264. Once again hogs and goats were the most popular animals to sell with 115 hogs and 63 goats parading out in front of bidders — 41 lambs, 30 steers and nine rabbits were also sold.

“We broke records with the total of the sale. We broke records with every average except the hogs — the hogs had a higher year a couple years ago, but we also sold a lot more hogs than what we’ve been selling,” said Joe Bridges, the sale committee president.

Bridges isn’t quite sure what led to such a strong year but thinks a few things may have factored in. First off, the kids have done a great job introducing and explaining what they do for the sale and what they’re trying to accomplish, Bridges said, so there were many first time buyers on top of the sales regulars.

“These kids are spending hours upon hours every day in the barns, taking care of these animals … and I think that the stories being told are good enough that people are understanding just how much time and dedication these kids have put into it,” Bridges said.

He also thinks the buyers understand that costs are up for the young sellers to show their project and still want them to leave profitable.

Going into the sale, Bridges didn’t share how nervous he was for the kids, “I know where the world’s at, and how things are financially for some companies, but yet they kind of put that all aside,” he said. “They still make sure they’re there to take care of kids, and that’s super cool,  and something that Park County just can hang their hat on to be proud of … they’re always there, they’re always ready to support the youth.”

Steers:

Average: $5.39/pound — up $1.63 from last year’s total of $3.76

Highest seller: Kate Mainwaring, $10/pound

Buyer: Richards Construction

Hogs:

Average:  $9.06/pound — up $0.20 from last year’s total of $8.86

Highest seller: Callie Bales, $19/pound

Buyer: S & L Industrial

Lambs:

Average: $16.74/pound — up $4.21 from last year’s total of $12.53

Highest seller: Hailee Gorsuch, $28/pound

Buyer: Ryan Bros. Trucking

Goats:

Average: $19.16/pound — up $2.10 from last year’s total of $17.06

Highest seller: Dally Clark, $52.50/pound

Buyer: Dee Dee Landrus

Rabbits:

Average: $744.44/pound — up $124.44 from last year’s total of $620

Highest sellers: Mariah Mauch, Darci Schuler, $900

Buyers: Steve Martin, Loenbro