Premium Livestock Auction

The Gage County Ag Society recognizes the hard work, dedication and financial obligation of the 4-H and FFA members and appreciates the exhibition of their animals at our fair. It is our wish, with the help of the community, to reward them for their efforts.

The Premium Auction is set up to financially reward exhibitors by their level of success. Each market livestock exhibitor will be allowed to place one of their animals, regardless of how many they show, on the Premium Auction, whether it be beef, swine, lamb or goat. We have given the exhibitors the option of selling the animal in its entirety, or keeping the animal and just receiving the premium. We will only be bidding on the premium. It will be designated in the sale catalog which animals are available for slaughter, along with a pre-determined price for the live animal. Again, you will only be bidding on the premium. If you wish to purchase the live animal in addition to the premium, you would pay the pre-determined price plus the premium.

The pre-determined price will simply be the average market price the day of the sale for each species, multiplied by the weight of the animal.

Example:Species: Swine, Average Live market Price (per lb.): $.60Animal Weight: 270 lbs. .60 x 260 - $162.00.

You do not have to buy the live animal even though it is listed as being for sale. You would simply pay your premium bid.

At the conclusion of the auction, the revenue from the sale for each species will be added together and paid out to the exhibitors on a pro-rated basis according to the live placing in their respective show. For example, the exhibitor of a Grand Champion will receive a larger percentage than the exhibitor of a blue ribbon award winner.

All of the exhibitors who participated in the auction will receive a premium according to their ribbon placing.

By pro-rating the proceeds from the sale, the buyers and supporters of the Premium Auction will have the satisfaction of knowing that their contributions supported all of the youth that participated, even though they may have purchased only one project from one individual in the sale. You are free to purchase as many as you wish!

The Premium Auction is the culmination of each exhibitor’s year long project. As a learning and business venture, these youth have selected, fed, cared for and groomed a market beef, swine, lamb or goat as their project. They brought their project to the Gage County Fair to be exhibited and evaluated.

Your purchase of a project animal will support these youth who are in the agricultural business on a small scale. The costs of these projects can be prohibitive. With your support, we hope to include more of our youth in these educational endeavors.

Registration begins at 2:00 pm in Barn 1 (Main Livestock Barn) and the live auction will begin promptly at 3:00 pm. You will need to provide your name, or company name, address, two phone numbers and your driver’s license. You will be given a buyer’s number. You will need to show this number to the auctioneer when you have made a purchase. At the conclusion of the auction, please bring your buyer’s number to the clerk’s table where settlement will be made.

Yes, but make sure you provide all the names, addresses and phone numbers to the clerk. This will allow for proper billing and recognition.

When an animal that you would like to purchase is in the ring and at a price that you desire, signal the auctioneer or ringmen by raising your hand. If you are unable to attend the sale, but wish to make a purchase, contact one of the sales staff at any time prior to the sale and they will assist you. You may contact the Fair Office (402-223-3247) and they will put you in touch with the sales staff.

ALL SALES ARE FINAL.

Yes

We have arranged for immediate processing with Wildcat Locker in Filley, Diller Locker in Diller, and Pickrell Locker & Smokehouse. If you wish to have your animal processed at one of these lockers we will transport them to the Locker on Sunday night at no charge to you. Any animal not going to one of these lockers becomes your possession and responsibility for the animal after 8:00 pm on Sunday and can be picked up at this time. The exhibitor will maintain responsibility for the animal until 8:00 pm. All animals need to be removed from the premisis by 9:00 am on Monday.

If you wish to use a processor other than Wildcat Locker, Diller Locker, or Pickrell Locker and Smokehouse, it will be your responsibility to make arrangements with them.

If you use a different locker of your choice you must contact them on Monday with cutting instructions. You may wish to contact prospective processors or go to their respective websites to review their services.

No. It will be up to each 4-H/ FFA exhibitor to decide if they wish to sell the animal. Only the animals designated in the sale catalog as being available can be purchased for harvest.

Processing cost will vary according to how you wish to have it processed. We recommend that you contact your processor or view their websites to calculate the cost.

Refer to the next section for an idea of what you will receive from your purchase. We will have approximate costs available on the day of the sale.

Many factors affect the amount of various cuts of meat obtained from a carcass. Some of these are breed of animal, weight, sex, degree of finish and cutting methods used in preparing meat for the freezer. Here is an approximate guide to what you can expect to receive.

Live Weight Beef : 45-50% Live Weight Pork: 50-55% Live Weight Lamb or Goat: 40-45%

We would like to invite businesses, individuals and organizations to support the Market Livestock Premium Auction.

If you’re unable to attend the auction you can send your donations to Gage County Ag Society at P.O. Box 671, Beatrice, Ne 68310 or call us at 402-223-3247 for more information.