Animals on block for market livestock sale
MacKenzie Simpson, 14, is shown with one of the 73 fowl she brought to the Washington County Agricultural Fair this week.
MacKenzie Simpson, 14, shows Truffles the pig Monday at Washington County Agricultural Fair. Truffles will be sold Saturday during the market livestock sale.
Thanks to the care and devotion of 14-year-old MacKenzie Simpson, Truffles the hog tips the scales at 256 pounds – a respectable weight that should net Simpson a hefty price.
Truffles will be one of many livestock auctioned off during the Washington County Agricultural Fair market livestock sale. Rabbits and goats hit the Harry Hank Show Arena at 6 p.m. Friday, followed by hogs, steers and lambs beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Truffles took third in his class Monday, which will probably drive up his price. But MacKenzie, who has been showing livestock at the fair for four years, said animals that don’t show as well can also draw high bids.
“People kind of feel bad and pay more,” said the Burgettstown Area High School freshman.
In addition to Truffles, MacKenzie will sell a goat, lamb, five rabbits and 73 fowl.
While the money earned from the sale of the animals is a great incentive for students to participate, Walt Bumgarner, Penn State Extension 4-H livestock educator, said the responsibility of caring for the animals is the ultimate payoff.
“There’s a lot more to it than just learning how to take care of (animals). The vast majority of these kids are not going to be farmers. It’s the responsibility of doing it.”
The 300 students in Washington County’s 4-H Club learn parliamentary procedures through officer elections and running meetings, and hone their communication skills by presenting to large groups of people. Some of the older students announce during shows and auctions.
“Buyers need to know their support helps drive the livestock program, for 4-H and (National FFA Organization). Without their support, there would probably be a lot of folks who couldn’t afford to do it,” Bumgarner said. “The money these kids earn, it’s not usually used for frivolous things. A lot of it goes to back-to-school stuff, buying animals for next year, college. A lot (of 4-Hers) use the money to pay Mom and Dad back for all the feed and equipment. It’s not cheap.”