Weather doesn’t deter bidders

Although attendance was down at the Emo Fair last weekend, the wind and rain didn’t deter the serious buyers from the barn Saturday afternoon for the annual 4-H market steer auction.
The seats were full of bidders—and the dark skies seemed to make them more generous.
“Saturday was such a crappy day and we had such an awesome sale,” said 4-H leader Tracy Hyatt. “We’d like to let the public know how appreciative we are.
“By 4 o’clock, the place was really crowded.”
No steer went for less than $2 a pound. “If they get over $1.60/pound, they’re doing well,” noted Denise Donaldson.
Matt Neilson fetched the highest price at $2.97/lb. while the lowest price was for Jock Gemmell’s steer ($2.05/lb).
Jeff Teeple had the grand champion market steer again this year. Weighing in a 1,600 pounds, it fetched $2.55/lb. for a $4,080 total. The reserve champion steer was Greg Haglin’s, which tipped the scales at 1,405 pounds.
It went for $2.40/lb.
“Our kids were pretty skeptical thinking there weren’t going to be any buyers there because there was hardly anyone around the fairgrounds,” Hyatt said.
“The prices were more than excellent.”
Jay Neilson, 14, whose steer fetched $2.20/lb., said he’s going to use his money “to invest in school.” Others said they’ll invest in GICs.
But more important than the money is the educational process. The youths spend hours a week with their animals, especially during the weeks leading up to the fair.
Matt Smith, whose 1,360-pound steer sold for $2.35/lb., estimated he spent 36 hours a week looking after his animal. “Every second day I groomed him,” he said, adding he also had to wash him, train him, and work with his feet.
David Donaldson’s 1,060-pound Galloway sold for $2.55/lb. He started giving his steer rations in March and estimated he spent about seven hours a week working with him.
“Every morning at 7 a.m., he’d ride with his dad to work with his steer,” said his mother, Denise.
And although they make thousands of dollars at the auction, many of the 4-H’ers are sad to see their steer go off to the abattoir.
“They all had some tears,” noted Wilma Sletmoen.
Except perhaps for Kerry Hyatt, who had a bit of trouble with her steer in the ring and with his dietary habits.
“Not this year, he wouldn’t lead,” replied Hyatt when asked if she’d miss her animal. “Mine ate leaves and branches.”
Anthony Boersma’s even ate a rubber glove!
Andrew Morrish admitted he’ll miss his steer and said he plans to raise a heifer next year. He’s already cleared it with his mother, he said.
“First of all, it doesn’t die,” he remarked. “Mine kicked a gate and broke it. The heifer is easier. I don’t have to pay at all, either.”
Auctioneer Rod Salchert helps to make the event, Sletmoen said. “He really gets the crowd going,” she noted.
Bidtakers Telford Advent and Russ Richards always support the auction, too, while local vets Dr. Chris Cannon and Dr. Dan Pierroz paid for shipment to and from the meat processing plant in Beauséjour, Man.
< *c>Auction results:
•Senior Dairy Heifer—Stacey Angus (grand), Linda Zimmerman (reserve)
•Junior Dairy Heifer—Andrew Veldhuisen (grand), Theo Heyens (reserve)
•Dairy Showmanship—Tina Hyatt (grand), Stacey Angus (reserve)
•Senior Showmanship—Greg Haglin (grand), Aaron Kuorikoski (reserve)
•Intermediate Showmanship—Matt McQuaker (grand), Matt Smith (reserve)
•Junior Showmanship—Hannah Firth (grand)
•Novice Showmanship—Jared McQuaker (grand), David Donaldson (reserve)
•Grand Champion Showmanship—Greg Haglin
•Reserve Champion Showmanship—Aaron Kuorikoski
•Third Place Showmanship (Craig Advent Trophy)—Matt Smith
•Senior Beef Heifer—Linda Zimmerman (grand), Laura Zimmerman (reserve)
•Grand Champion Beef Heifer—Linda Zimmerman
•Reserve Champion Beef Heifer—Laura Zimmerman
•First Weight Division—Jeff Teeple (grand), Greg Haglin (reserve)
•Second Weight Division—Jock Gemmell (grand), Jay Neilson (reserve)
•Third Weight Division—Aaron Kuorikoski (grand), Anthony Boersma (reserve)