Prices at the 2024 Junior Livestock sales were a little lower this year, but the sale still remains strong with many members of the community showing up and spending to support area youth.

This year’s Junior Livestock sale earned $602,200 which is $30,000 less than the previous year. However, this is not a downturn in the sale, said Joe Bridges, chairman of the sales committee.

“They’re still really good numbers that we have and the kids are extremely happy. And we’re happy with the outcome.”

Half a decade ago the sales netted around $400,000. In recent years the grand totals have averaged in the $600,000 range and this year is no different. 

“I don't think it was really a reset … in the 20 years of doing this, this was the most unique sale that we've ever had,” Bridges said. “It started super soft, and as the sale went, it got stronger and stronger and stronger and stronger all the way through the sale.”

Typically, the sale will experience lower bids in the middle of the sale and rally again towards the end. In Bridges' opinion, the economy created some initial hesitancy despite buyers coming in with the same budgets and a few new names.

“Everybody just gained confidence in it as we went, and as typical as the support of Park County for these kids, it still stays at a phenomenal level, no matter what economic hardships they're going through,” Bridges said. “And it was there again, and it was really cool to see, it was really cool to watch them go, ‘Hey, we're OK, and we're going to make sure these kids are OK.’”

The sale experienced an increase in enrollment by eight sellers — 264 local youth
displayed their animals in the show ring compared to last year's 256.

The two most popular animals were hogs and goats, Bridges said, with goats gaining $0.81 per pound over last year.

Rabbits, which typically earn hundreds of dollars per entry,  looked a little different this year; they had to be sold in a pen of three rather then as a single rabbit. This has been industry standard for some time but it was a first in Park County. 

Bridges’ thanked those who came together to put on the sale, which is conducted by volunteers, he said.

“We can’t get it done without them,” he said while also praising the buyers, who attended the hours long sale and made sure that the youth showing animals received good prices.

Steers: Average: $3.76/ pound - down from $4.04 last year. 

Highest Sellers: Hadley Cooper, $5.50/ pound.

Buyers: Groathouse Construction

Hogs: Average:  $8.86 - down from $10.51 last year. 

Highest Sellers: Penelope MaGill, $14/pound.

Buyers: Bar-T Electric

Lambs: Average: $12.53 - down from $15.95 last year.

Highest Sellers: Brooke Bessler, $28/pound.

Buyers: Sam McClure

Goats: Average: $17.06 - up from $16.25 last year.

Highest Sellers: Shelby Zickefoose, $36/pound

Buyers: Woodward Tractor

Rabbits: Average: $620 - down from $654 last year.

Highest Sellers: Hadley Mayton, Jada Schuler, Jezell Faulkner, $800/pound.

Buyers: Denny Menholt Chevrolet, Nicole Comer,  Porter Built Custom Homes