What's it like to "grocery shop" at a 4-H auction?

The Fallon 4-H kids will be auctioning off the animals they've raised soon, so it's a good time to buy beef, pork, or goat meat. Our family cowpools so I know about buying and storing in bulk, but our farmer takes care of everything for us; we just take delivery of the boxes and put the meat in the freezer. So I need to know: How does the animal get from auction yard to the freezer? How would a buyer know if the meat is pasture or grain fed, organic or conventionally raised? Who does the driving?

First thing, talk to the farmer, or in this case, the 4-H'er. They'll be able to tell you all about their animal and will be available all day Friday and Saturday up until auction time. When you find one raised according to your values, for example, grass versus grain fed, conventional or organic, bid on it. Next question...

How is it processed? First, the buyer must decide how they'd like their meat processed, that is, what kind of cuts, how many cuts per package, etc. There are three meat processing businesses in Fallon; Lohantan Meats, York Meats, and Mori Meats (don't let the appearance of diversity fool ya...all three companies are owned by one family). The buyer gets to choose with which of them they'll do business. Ask about kill-and-processing fees, how long the meat will hang, and what kind of cuts they can recommend if you don't already know what you want. Be ready to pay in advance.

Then, the 4-H will transport the animal to the processing facility, where it will be butchered into the cuts asked for. When it's ready, the consumer (that's you) picks up the boxes, takes them home and fills up the freezer with packages of locally raised meat.

There's another good reason to buy your family's meat from a 4-H'er. The average American farmer is in his/her 50's or 60's; communities need to support bright young people who are interested in agriculture. These kids could be our future farmers and ranchers.

If you have other questions of your own contact Amanda @ Cooperative Extension, 775-423-5121.

From my mailbox to you:

“It's COW-share, SWINE-share, GOAT-share time! Churchill County Jr. Livestock Show & Sale, April 23-24, Churchill County Fairgrounds, Fallon. Sale is on Saturday, April 24, 2 p.m., where market animals will be sold at public auction. This is your opportunity to purchase locally-raised animals that will yield high quality meat for your freezer.”






Join us to support your local 4-H & FFA youth while they exhibit their beef, sheep, swine, goat, rabbit & poultry breeding & market project animals.