Events and Programs: Fairs: Auction Support Fund

Your contribution to Farm Bureau's Auction Support Fund helped support youth in agriculture

Farm Bureau's help was needed at the 2002 Indio auction, although auction prices were generally stable throughout the day. Riverside County Farm Bureau spent almost $5,000 to buy 21 animals in the auction, including almost $3,000 donated by 44 members.

Unlike past years, there were no guaranteed big prices for animal projects entered by Coachella Valley students in the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival Junior Livestock Auction on February 24, 2001. Some desert students had strong buyers, but many received prices comparable with the averages being paid for out-of-area entries.

There were over 300 animal projects in the sale.

Swine prices measure the trend in the sale. Prices for champions, sold at the start of the sale, stayed in the $2.25 to $3 range. Auctioneers tried to hold a $1.25 floor for swine, but a few animals went for $1.

Riverside County Farm Bureau bought 14 swine (against buy-back) at prices from $1.25 to $2, including six projects from Coachella Valley students.

Sheep prices had a wider range reflecting the smaller weights and higher buy-back market prices. Riverside County Farm Bureau bought 6 sheep at prices from $1.50 to $2.25, including two from Coachella Valley students.

Beef prices demonstrated the success of students in lining up buyers. Riverside County Farm Bureau bought one beef at $1.25 a pound after Farm Bureau's opening bid turned out to be the only bid.

The auction left an impression that there weren't a lot of buyers and few new buyers. However, the auction did have buyers from all across the county. The auction was supported by familiar agricultural businesses and families, perhaps most noticeably the Young family and their businesses and by an auction support pool supported by local interests. Jon FitzHenry, president of the Junior Livestock Auction Committee, was an active buyer throughout the sale.

Buy-back market prices were $.40 for swine, $.80 for sheep, $.67 for beef and $.70 for goats.

Valley Independent Bank provided settlement services for the sale. Imperial Irrigation District supplied computer equipment. Coachella Valley Lions Club prepared a Buyers' Breakfast, served by 4-H and FFA students.

NOTE: These figures don't yet include animals purchased by Coachella Valley Farm Bureau Center.

It’s Date Festival time again - February 13-22, 2009! Agricultural students in Riverside County need your support for the Junior Livestock Auction at the National Date Festival. You can help by making a contribution to the Auction Support Fund administered by Farm Bureau. A $25 contribution is suggested.

All money contributed to this Auction Support Fund will be used to buy animals at the Junior Livestock Auction at the Southern California Fair and Riverside County Fair National Date Festival.

Your contribution will help maintain auction prices and benefit agricultural students.

Junior Livestock Auction
National Date Festival
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Indio, California

Over the past Ten years, Farm Bureau has funneled over $35,000 into the Date Festival auction, including nearly $15,000 from member donations. We would like to say thank you to all past supporters.

If you can’t attend the auction to buy for yourself, send your donation to the Auction Support Fund. Make your check payable to Farm Bureau and mail it to:

Auction Support Fund, Riverside County Farm Bureau
21160 Box Springs Road, #102, Moreno Valley, CA 92557

Farm Bureau will buy animals against Buy-Back: that is, the animals will be sold to a meat processor at the market, or "buy-back" price, and the difference between the buy-back price and the bid price will be paid by the Auction Support Fund.

4-H, FFA, and Grange students use profits from auction sales to start their next animal projects and to save for college. Successful auctions encourage students to remain in agriculture. Farm Bureau helps keep a floor price at the auction, which benefits all of the sellers. We also help those youngsters who have asked for help. We know the kids have worked to get buyers, but the Date Festival Auction is always tough. Your help and Farm Bureau’s help have often made an important difference. We want the kids to learn the right lessons. Breaking even or making a little on this sale can give a youngster the incentive to try again ... and to try harder next time.

Donations are not tax deductible as charitable contributions but may be deductible as ordinary business expenses. Consult your tax preparer.

Thanks for supporting agriculture with your Farm Bureau membership and donations!