BUYER INFORMATION

The Boulder County Junior Livestock Sale is the end result of the 4-H and FFA youth members' year-long projects. It's an educational experience, as well as a business venture. The exhibitors get the chance to have a "hands-on" experience while learning about livestock markets. They discover what agricultural production is all about and the kind of responsibility to survive - and thrive - in it.

The participants have selected, fed, and groomed their animals for competition and marketing. Everyone hopes to receive better prices at this sale than the current market rates. Community support at the auction allows young people to receive recognition and the motivation to earn and save college funds or invest in their herds. Many youth go through this program and become great leaders, educators, and responsible adults.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

Register as a Buyer: You can register at the Buyer's Lunch on Saturday, August 9th, in the afternoon of the sale, or by using this form.
Check In: Check in at the sale to receive your buyer's materials, including your bid number. If you are early to the sale, please join us at the Buyer's Lunch or visit with exhibitors in their barns. The sale is held in the Indoor Arena, between Barns B and C. Click here for a map of the Boulder County Fairgrounds. Please make yourself comfortable in the arena when it's time for the sale.
Bid: Bid on the animal of your choice and raise the bid until the animal is out of your price range. Even if you do not purchase the animal, your participation helps raise the price the exhibitor will receive for the animal. As part of the auction, the highest bidder purchases the animal. Buyers have two purchase options:

Custom Processing: A buyer may pay for the processing and packaging for personal use. Be sure you have enough freezer space!
Resale: Buyers may consign purchases back to the Boulder County Junior Livestock Market Sale Committee for resale at the stated market price on sale day. The committee handles the details, and you pay only the difference between your bid and the market price. The buyer’s cost is the difference between your bid and the resale price (market price established on the sale day). The animal then belongs to the packer/resale buyer. This is also called a buyback.

Add-Ons: In addition to bidding on and purchasing animals, buyers can support Boulder County Jr. Livestock Sale participants by making additional gifts through add-ons and the paddle raise. Please raise your bid number after the auctioneer confirms each lot as sold. We will call on you for your add-on to that specific lot, and the funds will go directly to the exhibitor. Add-on pledges can also be made online with this form.
Check-Out: Purchases made at the Boulder County Fair Junior Livestock Sale are considered due and payable on the day of the sale. If you do not pay on Sale Day, all monies must be received within 15 days of the sale. Buyer agrees to pay interest at a rate of 18%, commencing after the first 15 days on all outstanding funds.

Acceptable forms of payment are cash, check, or credit card (plus service fee). Please address checks to: Boulder County Fair Livestock Show & Rodeo with the memo: Junior Livestock Sale. A valid driver’s license or other ID must be presented and approved by the Boulder County Fair Junior Livestock Market Sale Committee or its agent. An additional $35 fee is agreed to by the Buyer on all insufficient fund checks.
Enjoy! Your freezer will soon be filled with hand-fed, locally grown meat. Even if you did not purchase an animal, take pride knowing you made a difference in the life of a 4-H or FFA participant.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What if I can’t use a whole animal?

A group of friends or co-workers can pool their resources to buy an entire animal and have plenty of meat in the freezer all year round.

How do I get it processed?

The Livestock Sale Committee will transport animals to the processor of your choice. You can select how you would like the product cut and packaged at that point.

How much freezer space will an animal take up?

Freezer space required for frozen meat can vary from 35-50 pounds per cubic foot, depending on how it is wrapped, the amount of bone, and the shape of the cut.

What can I expect to spend on processing?

Processing is generally broken down into butchering, cutting, wrapping, and freezing. Butchering costs range from $25 to $35 per animal, depending on the species. Cut, wrap, and freeze costs range from 37- 47 cents per pound.

Is my purchase tax-deductible?

Yes. Generally, any amount paid over market price is tax-deductible. Please contact your tax professional for the current tax deduction guidelines for not-for-profit organizations like 4-H and FFA. The Boulder County Fair is a 501(c)3 organization. Our Federal Tax ID #84-1496078. Contact the Sale Committee with any questions at jrlivestocksale.BCF@gmail.com.

What if I can't afford an entire animal?

Being a buyer isn't your only option! There are several ways to get involved with the sale. Click here to learn more.

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