Marshall County Livestock Auction Will Be Held

THE SHOW MUST GO ON!

We are talking about the annual Marshall County Livestock Auction.  As a result of an increase in COVID activity in Marshall County and around the state, Governor Justice made the difficult decision on Tuesday to cancel all fairs and festivals and reduce gatherings to no more than 25.  That means the 72nd Marshall County Fair had no choice but to cancel even though it was scheduled to start in just a few days.  However, we are excited that the livestock auction will be held, mostly on-line! 

Read on for more details.

“Each year in July our firm looks forward to supporting, attending, and actively participating in the Marshall County Fair,”  says Christian Turak, a partner at Gold, Khourey & Turak.  The firm has sponsored the Queen’s Pageant for many years, which provides scholarship awards to the winners, and attorneys bid on and win animals each year at the livestock auction. 

Christian’s wife, Maggie, even served as a judge in last year’s pageant.  “Honestly, the livestock auction is a personal favorite of mine,” admits Turak.  “The 4-H members do a phenomenal job raising and caring for these animals in preparation for the livestock auction.  Each year the auction provides some of the highest selection of animals in the area, and this year will be no different,” says Turak.  “However, this year, more than ever, the participants need help from the community!  These young participants count on this auction as a source of income to help save for college and assist them in raising their other farm animals.  Whatever support you can provide is greatly appreciated.  I know I’ll be participating in the auction on-line and hope you will too, just don’t out-bid me!” offers Turak.

HOGS, STEERS, AND LAMBS, OH MY!

Even with the cancellation of the fair, the option will still be available to bid on livestock; hogs, steers, and lambs.  Unfortunately, the Marshall County 4-H and FFA goat and rabbit association decided to opt out of the auction this year.   However, the fact that the livestock auction is being held is a testament to the organizers and the Marshall County Health Department.  This is such an important auction for our community and the participants, but we need to do it safely.  Members of the Marshall County Health Department will be on hand to make sure all participants and animals are provided a safe environment.

NEW RULES & REGULATIONS – SAFETY IS THE TOP CONCERN

Currently, all livestock auction show and sale times remain the same, but with limited regulations as to who can attend.  In fact, those close to and deeply involved with the organization each year are encouraging buyers to watch from home and bid via the live-stream option.  When it is a member’s turn to show their livestock, only their immediate family can be in the arena to watch, while everything is being live streamed throughout the fair and on Facebook. 

There will also be TV’s set-up in other various buildings and shelters throughout the fairgrounds so that those in attendance can watch the entire live auction while maintaining social distancing guidelines.  If you are within six feet of another person, you are required to be wearing a mask.  No groups larger than 25 people are to gather anywhere throughout the fairgrounds, and the suggestion is to stay at home, watch online, and bid on any animal you want that way. 

The Marshall County Livestock Club (MCLC) announced yesterday on their Facebook page that the auction will occur through RES Auction Services including a link so buyers can register early, which is encouraged by the MCLC.  The auction should be listed on the RES Auction Services site within the next few days, with the livestock show schedule as follows:

  • Tuesday, July 21st – Hog Showmanship @ 9 am and Lamb Showmanship @ 6 pm
  • Wednesday, July 22nd – Steer Showmanship @ 9:30 am, Lamb Confirmation @ 6 pm, and Supreme Showman to follow Lamb Confirmation.
  • Thursday, July 23rd– Hog Confirmation @ 9 am and Steer Confirmation @ 7 pm
  • Friday, July 24th– Live Auction Stream with RES Auction Services online bidding @ 6 pm

Note: Certain buyers that participate each year will be allowed to attend the auction on Friday, but only if they have been previously informed that their attendance is permitted. Also, the Marshall County Health Department will be bringing in a representative each day to help maintain a safe, and healthy environment for everyone.

BID ON-LINE THIS YEAR WITH LIVESTREAM AUCTION

Although some may enjoy the smell of farm animals, this year you are able to bid on the animals from the comfort of your home!  It is worth noting that the Livestock Show Livestream and Auction is not affiliated with the Marshall County Fair, the 4-H, or the FFA; it is a private event being put on and sponsored so that the young men and women showing animals still have the opportunity to earn what they worked so hard for since last year. 

I spoke to the mother of 9-year-old Abigail Richmond, Pamela Williams, about how Abigail was feeling about the changes this year. Pamela said to me, “She’s still pretty excited, she was definitely bummed that the entire fair was cancelled, but she put a lot of work into her animals and is very proud to show them even if it’s being done a different way.”  Pamela also said that her family isn’t too worried about how the change to a live-stream will affect the outcome of the auction, she believes that the community will come together to support the youth and their families because the 4-H and FFA are truly fantastic organizations. 

Groups such as the 4-H and the FFA are especially important in rural areas like ours, offering children in our area the ability to gain life-skills through hands-on learning.  Many of 4-H and FFA members showing animals at the live-stream auction will use their earnings for schooling, passion projects, and activities to help fuel their already bright futures.  Other local residents are concerned with the possibility of low attendance to the live-stream and bid, but we believe the community will band together for their youth. 

HELP SUPPORT OUR YOUTH

We here at Gold, Khourey, and Turak encourage everyone in the community to join the livestream and support the local youth, even if you do not plan to bid.  Those who are hoping to bid on some animals this year should register early for RES Auction Services.  A link is available on the MCLC Facebook Page.  If you are a buyer, seller, shower, or anyone in attendance at the auction, please follow the guidelines put forth so we can keep our families safe during the auction.  Good Luck to all those involved in the Livestock Auction, we wish you all the best!