The Northwest Junior Livestock Auction takes place every year at the Puyallup Fairgrounds in April. This is the third post in a series about the Puyallup Spring Fair (read the First and Second post in this series). This event brings in young farmers from all over the region to showcase their prized animals and compete for top honors. The event features pigs, goats, sheep, and cattle. Each animal is carefully groomed and presented by its owner to the buyers in order to fetch the top dollar per pound.
The event is about more than just an auction, it’s a place for these young farmers to gather with their friends and show off their animals. Many of the high schools around the state have FFA (future famers of America) programs that the kids are enrolled in. The 4-H organization is also present in the competition and auction.
The process of raising an animal for auction is not only time-consuming but also requires a significant amount of financial investment. Young farmers must purchase or raise their animals and cover the costs of feed, housing, and veterinary care, as well as any expenses associated with showing their animals at competitions. The selling of their animals represents a payoff of many months of hard work.
Sadness in front of the empty cage of the pig she just sold.
For some, the voice of the auctioneer yelling “Sold!” means getting much of their free time back. For others, it’s the tearful end of an era. To some, the reality sets in that their animals are headed to the slaughter house, and it will be the last time they will ever see their animal. For everyone however, it represents a paycheck.
This is third story in a series on the Spring Fair in Puyallup.
Thanks for doing that man looks good and my name is Brady christopherson and I’m form Tahoma ffa thanks for taking all of that pictures of us
Seeing this comment made my day. It was such a pleasure to be there photographing this event and all of you guys. Really, thank you.