Here's a little primer on how the auction works. County businesses come out in force to support the kids. They pay a premium for the animals and get a tax deduction for the amount above market value. Then they have the option to re-sell what they've bought to one of a number of meat packing companies for a pre-set price per pound.
In addition, the kids can solicit sponsorships called proxies. This is where they get people to donate a certain amount per pound for their animal. When you add what the slaughterhouses guarantee per pound to the young person's proxies, that is the guaranteed price they will receive for their animal.
But that's just where the bidding starts. When someone bids on an animal, they pay only the amount of their bid minus the total of the proxy and meat packing prices. This spreads the cost between bidder, meat packer and proxy donors, and ensures top dollar for the kids.
Technical details aside, this auction was heaps of fun. Auctioneer Jake Falleson has the chops to buh-day, buh-day, buh-day with the best of them, but he didn't stop there. Apparently a personal friend of everyone in attendance, he peppered his calling with greetings to the bidders, good-natured ribbing, and funny stories. He even stopped the bidding at one point and got the whole crowd to sing happy birthday to exhibitor Jessica Lochridge of North Clackamas FFA who turns 17 today. And Falleson concluded every bid with a heartfelt thanks to the buyer. The whole thing felt like being part of a great big family
Les Schwab managers and assistant managers from some of Clackamas County's 11 Les Scwhab locations. Buyers at the auction for 22 years, Les Schwab stores are major supporters of youth livestock auctions.
Jake Falleson works his magic on the mike.
Jonny Fendall of Sandy FFA with his Grand Champion market goat and winning bidder Roz Rushing of Geren's Farm Supply in Boring . Geren's also received a plaque for 30 years of participation in the livestock auction.
The bidding was high-energy, to say the least.
Falleson looks out at all his friends. (Click photo to enlarge)
Jake Ellis, independent (on right), with his Grand Champion market steer and winning bidder David Morgan (in blue hat) of Morgan Distributing, Inc. This was Morgan Distributing's 20th year in a row as an auction buyer.
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