Livestock Market Animal Auction Buyer Guide
Why Your Bid Matters
About the Auction
The San Juan County 4-H Livestock Market Animal Auction is one of the most meaningful events of fair week. Every animal in the ring represents months of hard work, responsibility, and dedication from a young person in our community.
Prices paid at auction may exceed current market rates — and that’s intentional. Buyers are encouraged to bid generously to help cover the real costs these youth incur raising their animals: feed, veterinary care, equipment, and their time.
Your purchase directly supports a young person’s 4-H project and sends a powerful message: that their hard work is seen, valued, and celebrated by this community.
How to Participate
Step by Step
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a returning supporter, here’s everything you need to do to participate.
1. Pre-Register & Get Your Bidder Number
All buyers should pre-register and receive a bidding number prior to the start of the auction. Registration opens at 12:00 pm and the auction begins at 1:00 pm at the 4-H Livestock Arena.
2. Know the Auction Order
Animals sell in a specific order: Reserve Champions first, then Grand Champions, followed by Blue Ribbon animals, then Red Ribbon animals. Large animals, small animals, and eggs are interspersed throughout each tier.
3. Bid by Oral Bid or Proxy
Anyone wanting to purchase a market animal may do so by oral bid or by proxy. Raise your bidder card or signal the auctioneer to place your bid.
4. Consider a “Turn Back”
If you’d like to support a youth but don’t necessarily want the animal, you can “turn back” your purchased animal. It will be resold at the Turn Back Auction at the end of the sale. You pay your full original bid — and the animal goes back in the ring and sold again to benefit 4-H and the Livestock Auction.
5. Arrange Processing
All animals go to a USDA-approved slaughter facility. Processing and wrapping costs are the buyer’s responsibility. The LMAAC will provide written cutting and wrapping choices which will be provided to the processor.
6. Pay
You have two options for payment:
- Pay by Cash or Check at the conclussion of the auction.
- Pay by credit or debit card after receiving an invoice from the LMAAC treasurer. A 1.5% processing fee will be added to your total sale price for this option.
Animals & Exhibits
What’s for Sale (Not all projects will be for sale each year)
Market Beef
Alt. Breeds: 700-1,000 lbs
Sold: By the pound
Market Lamb
Sold: By the pound
Market Swine
Sold: By the pound
Market Goat
Sold: By the pound
Broiler Chicken
Max. Age: 9 weeks
Sold: as a trio of same breed
Turkey
Max Age: 24 weeks
Sold: as a single bird
Alternative Market Poultry
Weight Range: Varies
Sold: Varies, often trio of same breed
Market Rabbit
Max age: 10 weeks
Sold: as a trio of same breed
Pullet Layers
Sold: as a trio of same breed
Dozen Farm Fresh Eggs
Youth will provide a fresh dozen to buyer
Overweight Animals
Animals that exceed the maximum weight for their class are sold at the maximum class weight — not their actual weight. The exception is Market Beef, which has no maximum and is always sold at actual weight.
Payment & Buyer Fees
Finances & Fees
💵
Cash
Accepted
No surcharge
📝
Check
Accepted
No surcharge
💳
Credit/Debit Card
Accepted
1.5% card surcharge
Late Payment
All sales not paid in full at the time of sale will be assessed a 10% buyer’s premium, unless pre-approved by the LMAAC Treasurer prior to the start of the auction. All sales are final.
Processing Costs
The cost of slaughter, processing, and wrapping is the buyer’s responsibility. All animals go to a designated USDA-approved slaughter facility. The LMAAC will provide written cutting and wrapping choices to help you plan.
Terminal Auction Notice
This is a terminal auction — all animals are intended for processing. If you wish for an animal not to be terminated, you must request an exception in writing from the LMAAC Chairperson by 5:00 pm on the day of auction. Note: Pullets (laying hens and ducks) are exceptions to this rule.
Give Even More
New in 2026
This year we’re excited to offer additional ways to support our 4-H youth and the Livestock Market Animal Auction Committee beyond purchasing an animal. These new opportunities allow anyone to contribute — even if you don’t take an animal home.
LMAAC Wheelbarrow Lot
Leaders Council “Bounty of the County” Basket
🙋 Raise the Paddle — General Fund
After the auction but before the turn-backs, we invite all attendees to participate in our Raise the Paddle event — a direct fund-a-need campaign supporting the LMAAC’s operating expenses and youth programs. Every dollar raised goes directly toward scholarships, auction costs, equipment, educational materials, and youth recognition. No animal purchase required — just a generous spirit and a raised paddle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions
Not at all! You can participate in the Raise the Paddle event, bid on the LMAAC Wheelbarrow Lot, or bid on the Leaders Council Bounty of the County Basket — all great ways to give without taking an animal home.
There is also an option to provide a direct donation to any youth via the add on program
When you buy an animal, you can choose to “turn it back.” The animal goes back into the ring and is resold at the Turn Back Auction at the end of the sale. You still pay your full original bid price. The Turn Back Auction proceeds support the LMAAC Fund. It’s a great way to support a youth and the program with one big-hearted gesture.
All animals are sent to a USDA-approved slaughter facility for processing. The buyer is responsible for processing and wrapping costs. The LMAAC will provide written cutting and wrapping options. If you do not want the animal terminated, you must request an exception in writing from the LMAAC Chairperson by 5:00 pm on the day of the auction. Pullets (laying hens and ducks) are an exception — buyers arrange delivery or pickup of live birds or eggs.
Large animals (beef, swine, lamb, goat) are sold by the pound. Poultry, rabbits, and eggs are sold by the lot. Animals that exceed the maximum weight for their class are sold at the maximum class weight, not their actual weight. Market Beef is always sold at actual weight with no maximum.
Prices are often well above market value as you are getting a high quality product and supporting a hard working 4-H youth.
Yes — buyers may participate by oral bid or by proxy. Pre-register to receive your bidding number before the auction starts at 1:00 pm. Contact LMAAC Chairs to arrange for proxy bidding
Cash, check, and credit/debit cards are all accepted. Note that a 1.5% surcharge applies to card payments. All sales not paid in full at the time of sale will be assessed a 10% buyer’s premium unless pre-approved by the LMAAC Treasurer before the auction begins. Credit card invoices will be sent out a few days after the auction without the buyers premium being applied.
Yes! Each exhibitor is required to write a personal thank-you letter to their buyer. It’s one of the meaningful traditions of the 4-H program — and one of the best parts of being a buyer.
Questions & Contact
Get in Touch
Questions about the auction rules or buyer process should be directed to the LMAAC Co-Chairs. For general 4-H or enrollment questions, contact the WSU Extension Office.
Auction Co-Chairs
Clinton Gauthier
Sara Hurley
San Juan County Extension Office Staff
Caitlin Blethen, Interim Director – cblethen@wsu.edu
Clinton Gauthier, 4-H Coordinator – sanjuan.4-H@wsu.edu
Lucy Graves, Office Manager – lucy.graves@wsu.edu
Office phone: (360) 378-4414