Youth livestock show and sale a success in Columbia County

DAYTON-Things looked a little different at the Columbia County Fair last weekend. There were no spectators, still-life exhibits or fair food, but that didn't stop the livestock classes or sale.

Instead of cancelling, the Columbia County Fair chose to livestream market and fitting and showing classes- and even those looked far different than usual with a limited number of masked participants vying for the purple and white Champion ribbons.

The sale, which is typically held on Saturday afternoon, was pushed back to Sunday afternoon. The fairgrounds were strangely quiet with the absence of the demolition derby. The outdoor, open-air sale was live streamed since bidder-attendance was limited. Only one representative per business was allowed to attend the in-person auction.

Ten goats, six sheep, twelve beef and nearly forty hogs were offered to buyers, all raised by local youth. Many of the animals offered at the youth sale were purchased by youth from Dayton and Waitsburg with the intention of being used as 4-H and FFA animals, however both organizations declared early on in the global pandemic that in-person activities were prohibited until counties met certain levels in their respective state's reopening plans. That left many parents and children wondering how they would recoup the cost of raising an animal.

Luckily, the Columbia County Youth Livestock Sale Committee is made up of ranchers, farmers, and past and present 4-H parents who understood both the severity of the pandemic and the cost of raising a market animal.

Support poured in from local businesses like Bi-Mart, Waitsburg Grocery, and Seney Land and Livestock. Grandparents, aunts and uncles, parents, and a long list of businesses pitched in additional support money, helping the youth sell their animals for well-above market value. Buyers had the option to turn their purchased animal (meaning they purchased the animal but do not want the meat after butchering. There is a set price that the seller or the livestock company can purchase the animal for once it is turned) or declare a 'take-out' and send it to Blue Valley Meats or C&L Lockers for processing.

Goat prices bounced back and forth and hovered right around the $4-$7 per pound mark. The Grand Champion goat was raised and sold by Grace Coulston, of Waitsburg. The Reserve Champion goat was raised and sold by Jessika Lambert, of Waitsburg. Kaelie Jonas, of Dayton, presented the Grand Champion lamb, followed by Reserve Champion Ellie Jonas, also of Dayton

Beef prices varied greatly, hanging around the $3 to $5 per pound price range. Jaycee Cox, of Dayton, sold the Grand Champion market steer, and Raymond Yutzy, of Dayton, followed closely behind with the Reserve Champion market steer. Rhianna Crawford, of Waitsburg, started the swine sale with her grand champion hog, followed closely by Eden Glaus, of Waitsburg. Prices ranged between $3 and $5 per pound, with some even hitting above the $5 mark.