4-H Market Animal Sale at County Fair nets nearly $500,000 for young exhibitors

By RICK MILLER

Olean Star

LITTLE VALLEY — The 183rd Cattaraugus County Fair wound down Saturday — it’s last day — but not before 4-H and FFA members received nearly $500,000 at the Market Animal Sale.

The Market Animal Sale got underway in the Dairy/Beef Ring at 10:30 a.m. The auctioneer introduced each exhibitor and helped them get the best price for their beef and dairy steers.

There were 34 beef cattle and 10 dairy steers auctioned. Many of the exhibitors spoke with buyers earlier. Some had gift bags ready for buyers as a thank you

Grand champion, reserve grand champion, highly commendable and commendable beef steers ranging in weight from 1,200 to 1,600 pounds fetched a higher price than steers lower on the list.

Goats, lambs, chickens, turkeys, rabbits and hogs were auctioned in the Livestock Ring. Ten goats, 27 lambs, 64 pigs, three pens of rabbits, 13 turkeys and 38 chickens were sold.

The grand champion, reserve champion, highly commendable and commendable market goats bringing as much as $850. Some buyers even donated the animal they won at auction so the exhibitor could auction it again.

Also at the auction were pies that brought hundreds of dollars each.

When all the bids were tallied, preliminary reports show the sale brought in more than $479,000, according to Vice President Eric Clayson.

The fair, which ran for eight days, Aug. 1 – 8, saw clear skies and warm temperatures early in the week. Rain threatened toward the end of the week, but all grandstand shows went off as planned, said Fair Secretary Nell Fellows.

Thirteen special-needs students participated in a first of its kind livestock show. The students from Olean City Schools, ages 10 – 15, showed lambs and goats in the show ring. 

The experience was spearheaded by Emily Chapman of Randolph, a 4-H alumna. She stated all the students enjoyed the experience, even those who were a bit apprehensive at first. She hopes the program will continue to grow each year.

Fair Manager, Kristina Charlesworth Golden, stated that while attendance figures are still being tabulated, they appear to be on par with previous years.

Animal entries were many, proving that the cattle and beef departments continue to grow. While some 4-H members are aging out of their clubs, there are many young Cloverbud members joining to take their place. Domestic entries were up as well, with many exhibitors taking advantage of the on-line entry system.

Golden said the Cattaraugus County Agricultural Society thanked our many exhibitors, vendors, volunteers, sponsors, and especially the visitors from all across Western New York who stopped in this year.

Plans are already being made for next year’s fair: July 31 – Aug. 7, 2027, she said.