As Seneca County Junior Fair exhibitors show their animals in the rings at the Seneca County Fair this week, officials are working to ensure there are buyers when it comes time to sell the livestock.
Scott and Stacey Kiesel have served as coordinators of the Seneca County Junior Fair Livestock Buyers' Group since 2002. Scott said the sale starts at 9 a.m. Saturday in the Super Barn. Once the beef animals are sold, the sale then is to move into the hog and sheep barn.
Scott said a big change this year is Sunday's small animal sale, in the hog barn, starts at 1 p.m. instead of 2 p.m. so officials can complete the sale sooner. Also, the fair has many more small animals, he said.
Sunday also is the day for the back-to-the-farm sale for feeder calves. It is 2 p.m. in the Super Barn.
Scott said calves in the back-to-the-farm sale weigh between 250 and 650 pounds and are not yet ready for the market. Some exhibitors buy back the calves to bring them back to the fair as steers next year, he said.
"They will go back to the farm," he said.
Fact Box
Here's how to help
People wishing to donate to the Seneca County Junior Fair Livestock Buyers' Group can call the Kiesels at (419) 618-8127. Donations are accepted until the time of the sale.
Scott said the entire sale is a regular auction, where what people bid is what they pay. During the back-to-the-farm sale, bidders pay for animals by the pound.
During the commercial sale, buyers can take the animals if they wish but also must pay the base bid in addition to the commercial bid. The commercial bid is a price paid for advertising or money paid in support of an exhibitor.
Business representatives can opt to donate money to the Seneca County Junior Fair Livestock Buyers' Group. The group asks businesses or individuals who cannot attend the sale or who do not have the amount of money required to purchase an animal to donate money to support the Junior Fair exhibitors.
"It's a pot of money that's put together," Scott said.
Scott, who does the bidding on behalf of the group, said he does not buy champions. Supporters can request their money be put toward certain exhibitors or clubs.
Stacey said she and Scott appreciate all the support they receive, and the Seneca County Fair is all about the youth.
Last year, the buyers' group collected about $15,000, and Scott said it looks to be about the same this year.
"We're close," Stacey said.
