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How do I purchase an animal at the Livestock Sale?

Purchase high quality, local meat while supporting 4-H members using these simple steps...

Step 1

Pre-register online HERE to receive a buyer number.

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Please Note:

  • If you are not able to attend the sale, we welcome you to place a Pocket Bid using the bid sheet form found HERE. 

    • Please complete a separate bid sheet for each animal you wish to purchase. 

    • Return the form to the Extension Office (next to the Fair Office at the Fairgrounds) or via EMAIL. 

    • A Sales Committee representative will bid on your behalf at the sale.

Step2

  • Plan to be at the Lewis and Clark Co. Fairgrounds at 9 a.m.  The sale ring will be outside in front of the big red barn.   

  • Register (if you did not pre-register) and pick up a sale number. 

  • Pick-up a sale number and a sale book that includes the order of animals.  Beef, Goats, Lambs, Hogs, Poultry and Meat Rabbits are included in this year's sale. 

  • If time, feel free to walk around the barn and check out the animals. 

    • 4-H Members will be on hand to answer any questions you may have or to tell you about their project. 

    • You will discover these kids love to talk about their animals and appreciate your support.

Step3

As the sale time nears, locate a seat.  If you plan on staying for the entire sale, perhaps bring a bleacher chair or a lawn chair to keep comfortable.  

Step4

  • Once the animal you wish to bid on enters the ring, the auctioneer will introduce the 4-H member, announce the weight of the animal and the awards the 4-H Member and the animal have earned during the fair.  

  • Then the bidding starts.  The prices the auctioneer uses during the bidding are PRICE PER POUND (Ex. If the bid is $1.50/pound, the final price of the animal is $1.50 x the weight of the animal).  The Bid Price DOES NOT include processing.

  • The bidding will start and increase at a price at the auctioneer's discretion depending on species, sale order, previous sale prices, etc. 

Step5

If you are the winning bidder, the auctioneer will ask you to hold up your buyer number and announce you and your business.  You will then be asked if you want to PROCESS, KEEP, DONATE OR RESALE the animal. 

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PROCESS - The animal is processed for meat.  

  • The 4-H sale committee will transport the animal to the processor(s) (to be determined).

  • The auctioneer will ask you at the end of the bidding which processor you wish to use.

  • The processing facility of your choice will be responsible for processing including cutting and wrapping. 

  • You are responsible for pick-up and payment of processing once the processor notifies you it is ready.​​

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KEEP - The animal goes home with you.​

  • The animal is released to you following the completion of the sale and is in your care, custody, and control.

  • Please make arrangements with the 4-H member and the Sale Committee upon check-out.

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DONATE - Donate the animal back to the 4-H Foundation.​

  • ​The Final Bid Price for the animal is donated to the 4-H Foundation and the animal is re-auctioned.  The winner of the re-auction takes possession of the animal.​

  • Great option if you do not want the meat and/or want to support 4-H as a whole in Lewis and Clark County.

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RESALE​

  • If you send an animal to resale, the price you pay is the difference between the Final Bid Price and the Resale Price listed in the Sale Catalog.  The animal is then sold to a pre-contracted resale buyer.   This option is not available for Poultry or Rabbits.​

  • Use this option if you are not interested in the meat or the animal but want to support a local 4-H member

Step6

  • Repeat steps 4 and 5 for each animal you wish to purchase.

 

Please note:  If you are unable to stay for the duration of the sale, please contact a sale committee representative to do bidding on your behalf.  Simply fill out a Pocket Bid sheet indicating your wishes and we will take it from there.

Step7

 

  • Upon completion of the sale, or when you have purchased the animals you intended to buy,  visit the Sales Office in the Bill Hamilton 4-H Building next to the red barn. 

  • The sale clerks will complete the necessary paperwork and collect payment for the animal(s) you purchased. 

  • Payment is due at this time unless prior arrangements have been made with the Sales Office. 

  • Please refer to the Sales Policy for more information.  Checks are made to:  Lewis and Clark County 4-H Council.

    • 5% of total sales goes to the Lewis and Clark County 4-H Council to cover costs associated with the sale (marketing, buyer dinner, etc.). 

    • The remaining balance is paid to the 4-H member once the buyer's payment has cleared and all expenses are paid.

  • Anyone can add money to any 4-H members' total money received (also known as add-ons)​

    • May add on a flat amount, such as $500

      • If the total $/lb was $5 and the animal weighed 150 lbs, the total the buyer pays is $750 and you add on another $500 for a toal of $1250 the 4-Her receives (minus the %5)​

    • Or add on to the $/lb the 4-H member received for their animal

      • For example, if they received $5/lb, add $1 per pound, bringing the sale price to $6/lb.​

    • You are responsible for the add-on amount.

    • Great for family, friends and buyers to give 4-Hers a little extra for their efforts

Step8

  • If you sent the animal(s) purchased to the processor, they will contact you to pick-up the final product. 

  • The processing fee will be due to the processor upon pick-up.  Refer to sale book for average processing fees.

Please join us for a catered Buyer's Luncheon

at 11 a.m. during the sale. 

The Lewis and Clark County 4-H Livestock Sales Committee is committed to making the buying process as easy as possible and assuring your wishes are met.  If you have any questions or concerns, please visit the sales check-in table.

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