Iowa’s 4-Hers enrolled in livestock projects produce about 17 million pounds of meat, in addition to the poultry and dairy projects the nearly 15,000 students raise. That then goes into the food system. This year’s Washington County Fair Livestock Auction will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, July 18th in the main show ring on the fairgrounds. 

The auction provides the option for 4-H members to sell their market animals to local buyers. The Washington County 4-H/FFA members sell over 250 head of livestock during this auction on average, and they are purchased by local businesses and personal buyers. The animals are sold mostly then are processed at local meat lockers or taken to other local auctions. The dollars are invested in the local economy. 

The auction is a local food investment with funds going back to local youth and businesses throughout the process. 

This year, livestock will be sold in the following order: swine, cattle, sheep, goats, rabbit, and poultry. Buyers are able to have cattle, sheep, and goats loaded and taken to the Kalona Sale Barn for resale and the checks from Kalona are then sent to the buyer. All buyers at the fair auction pay the youth directly. 

The auction order is prepared by Extension staff and is available Thursday evening.