PUEBLO — The first ever on-line livestock auction at the Colorado State Fair was successful.
“Colorado is actually one of the best states for auctions that we have in the country,” said Ema Richardson who raised the 2020 Grand Champion Steer. The modified way of selling champion livestock raised by Colorado 4H and FFA kids and teens was necessary because of COVID-19.
“Thankfully it wasn’t canceled.” Tripp Kayser raised the Grand Champion Hog. Raising his hog from 50 pounds to its weight of around 280 pounds required long hours, seven days a week since early spring.
When COVID hit, the choice to raise competition animals required months of commitment that could end up with the Stave Fair cancelled. “He could’ve just went to the slaughterhouse and said oh well, but I’m here today with a grand champion hog,” said Kayser.
“You can’t even guess the amount of time it takes to show a steer,” said Richardson. A animals State Fair and online auction turned out well for her. “With the sale still being here, it gives you some hope. It gives you some excitement. It gives you a reason you did this.”
Winning bids from the online auction were lower than recent years, yet still significant. A $17,000 bid took the Grand Champion Hog. A generous $50,000 was the high bid for the Grand Champion Steer.
