By most standards, the 103rd-annual Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society Fall Fair last week was a tremendous success. But for some young local 4-H members, it undoubtedly was a disappointment.
Twenty-seven youths invested more than a year of their lives—and considerable money—in bringing their market steers into the auction in the best possible shape in the hopes of making enough money from their sale for post-secondary education.
At the very least, they hoped to break even on their investments. But for some, that was not the case.
Auctioneer Rod Salchert said he noticed the bidding wasn’t as brisk nor as competitive as it was a year ago—even though it was wet and cold during the fair last August.
“This was definitely a tougher year,” said Salchert. “The prices were a little lower and some of the usual big buyers weren’t here.
“We don’t understand why.”
Emo beef farmer Kim Jo Bliss thinks she understands. “The whole industry is not at its best right now,” she remarked. “It’s probably the uncertainty in the market.”
The highest price bid was $2.52/lb for the grand champion owned by Greg Haglin of Emo, while the reserve champion, owned by Jeff Hyatt, fetched $2.46/lb.
Many others were not as fortunate, in some cases receiving as little as $1 a pound for their efforts. Bliss said the lowest price last year was about $2/lb.
Bliss noted these prices were considerably higher than what would be expected on the open market because all the buyers were local and overbid in order to support the local 4-H beef clubs, but there still was a significant drop from previous years.
That drop, she said, is reflective of the overall state of the beef industry.
“If I could get a buck a pound for my steers right now, I’d get rid of them, but there’s no way I can,” she noted. “It’s too bad, but what can you do?”
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
