Imperial — The Imperial Valley community turned out in support of its children and filled the bleachers at the California Mid-Winter Fair & Fiesta’s Junior Livestock Auction here on Saturday and Sunday.
More than 500 animals — rabbits, lamb, chicken, steers and pigs — were on the auction block. Bidding got hot and heavy at times, with some animals fetching more than $100 per pound.
While hundreds of rabbits, steers, pigs, chickens, goats and lambs were scrutinized and evaluated, the children showing the animals were the real stars.
For the children, the auction marks the end of a rewarding and difficult lesson in commitment, responsibility, focus and business.
“We had to build the pens, clean the pig,” said 9-year-old Madison Hale, a fourth-grader from Brawley.
For the adults, families and friends in the bleachers, the auction was an opportunity to invest in their community.
“Buyers give thousands of dollars in donations,” said Valley farmer Jim Abatti.
“At any other fair you won’t get near these prices,” he said, noting that market price for lamb is roughly $1.20 per pound. “Anything over $1.20 they’re donating.”
Indeed, Chloe Flores said she would donate 80 percent of the proceeds her lamb fetches to her friend who has cancer. Bidding on the Holtville FFA member’s lamb closed at $60 per pound.
Corfman Middle School student Seth Hoehl said he sold his pig, a Hampshire Cross, for $12 per pound. This was his second year participating in the Meadows 4-H program. Last year’s pig fetched $8 per pound, Hoehl said.
“I made a profit, probably $400 or $500,” he said.
What does a middle-school student do with that much money?
“I get to keep $250 and save the rest for college,” he said.
Holtville resident Karin Chambers said her children raised and auctioned two goats this year with the Verde 4-H.
“It was a great experience,” she said. “They’ve never had goat meat. They want to try it now.”
Staff Writer Antoine Abou-Diwan can be reached at 760-337-3454 or aabou-diwan@ivpressonline.com
Auction by the numbers
2013 - $1.7 million, auction total
2012 - $1.3 million, auction total
2013 - 681 total animals auctioned
2012 - 577 total animals auctioned
To comment on this story click here to be directed to Facebook.
