County Fair 4H Auction See Record-Setting Sales
Written by Andrew-Rossi on August 20, 2020
Lower attendance didn’t stop county fairs from seeing higher sales.
Now that the county fair season has winded down, a curious and unexpected phenomenon has been reported – despite the pandemic and everything else, University of Wyoming Extension 4-H livestock auctions saw an increase in total gross sales. Some counties – Albany, Park, Teton, and Washakie – even set new records for their county fairs. At the Park County Fair, specifically, the online auction seemed to contribute to the influx. Sales for hogs, lambs, goats and rabbits were all reportedly up in numbers from last year, while beef was slightly down. One goat sold for $120/lb., setting a new goat record. The previous high was $75/lb. Washakie County also saw some of the best numbers recorded in fair history.
None of the County’s 4H educators can account for this surge in sales, but they all have some theories. The increased opportunity to participate, both in-person and online, may have had something to do with it. Or it could be the fact an event was happening at all during a dearth of activity garnered more attention for the auctions. Glenn Owings, Teton County 4-H educator, has a more inspiring theory – the community wanted to support the 4H youngsters and bid higher in their effort to give them a much-needed boost.
The most profitable 4H auction in the state was still the Natrona County Fair near Casper. They set no records this year – actually earning slightly less than normal – but still grossing about $878,000
