BROWNSTOWN — Local 4-H’ers ended another Jackson County Fair week by selling their animals at the livestock auction Saturday.

A total of 149 animals were purchased at $274,050 by local citizens, businesses and organizations at the auction.

There were 66 swine, 25 goats, 25 sheep, 18 beef and 15 dairy beef sold.

Last year, $214,450 was raised.

Animal barns are always bustling with activity during the week.

Families and friends hang out in the stalls taking care of their animals, drinking lemon shake-ups and competing in livestock shows.

But by Saturday morning, the barns are desolate, and hundreds of people pack into Show Arena 1 to get ready to bid on their livestock of choice.

4-H’ers pace around outside the show arena, wait in line to get ready to show and tend to their animals before saying goodbye after the auctioneer shouts “Sold!”

“Don’t get attached to your animal,” said Maddison Brittain, 19, of Norman.

She said it was her last year in 4-H, and she was going to miss showing goats because it was her favorite part of fair week.

The goat variety show is always a highlight for Brittain every year. This year, she and her goat dressed up as the characters Sulley and Boo from the movie “Monsters, Inc.”

Brittain said the most important thing about showing animals is to have fun.

Adam Alberring, 11, of Seymour showed his grand champion boer market doe in the auction and said leaving your animal on the last day of the fair “is just life.”

He said his advice for showing animals is to just smile and keep walking.

Collin Downing, 14, of Vallonia was showing a goat for Ashtyn Allman at the auction because she was at the state fair.

He said parting with animals after the auction gets better once you start looking to the future.

“It does make me sad, but you get over it after a little while because you have next year’s project to look forward to after you sell this one,” Downing said. “I mean it’s a circle really, and once you sell this one, you look forward to next year.”

The key to winning livestock shows, he said, is simple.

“Just work hard,” Downing said. “It’s just about all you can do. If you do that, you’ll eventually win something.”

Eli Downing, 11, is Collin’s brother and showed a reserve champion crossbred lamb in the auction.

He said people showing animals should remember to not worry and to have fun.

Before going into the show arena, he said sheep need to be washed and blown off to look presentable.

The money that Downing earned from the show will go into his savings account, he said, and will go toward his college tuition.

He said he wants to go to Purdue University to learn how to be a sheep breeder.

Olivia Darlage, 9, of Seymour went into the auction showing a grand champion steer. She also won champion rookie showman and is a first-year 4-H member.

The prized steer sold for $3,300, and she said she was happy with the final price tag.

Showing animals with confidence is essential, Darlage said.

“If you get nervous, they’ll sense that, so don’t get nervous,” she said.

One Seymour 4-H’er said there’s one thing to think about after you say goodbye to your animal.

“You put all of your hard work into one animal. Then it’s just gone, but then you see the money,” said Dalton Lawyer, 15.

He sold his Charolais steer for $3,900 and said he was happy with his earnings.

This year, he was on the 4-H royalty court. He said he’s dedicated to the organization and also shows goats.

“I like it,” Lawyer said. “It’s fun. It’s interesting. You meet new friends. You meet a lot of people you haven’t seen before.”

When showing livestock, he said to keep it cool no matter how the animal acts and to never get excited.

The 66 swine sold brought $108,500 for an average of $1,643.94. Other totals were sheep, 25, $32,800, $1,321 average; dairy beef, 15, $45,500, $3,033.33; beef, 18, $57,350, $3,186.11; and boer goat, 15, $29,900, $1,196.

By the numbers 

Jackson County Fair 4-H livestock auction 

Year;total

2022;$274,050

2021;$214,450

2020;No fair

2019;$220,850

2018;$214,800

2017;$233,580

2016;$212,775

2015;$253,425

2014;$249,000

2013;$241,700

2012;$241,790

2011;$237,800

2010;$193,696

2009;$193,550

2008;$187,180

2007;$146,425