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Now That’s Some Expensive Beef!
By JLP | October 20, 2006
For the last two nights I have been working as a contract writer for the Junior Livestock Auction, which is part of our annual fair. Last night they auctioned off poultry and tonight they auctioned off steers, hogs, goats, and lambs. I have worked the auction every year since 2001 with the exception of last year because the fair was cancelled due to Hurrican Rita. Anyway, tonight I had the honor of writing the contract on the Grand Champion Steer. This steer weighed 1,260 pounds and went for $22 per pound for a grand total of $27,720! This year’s sale blew away the old record of $21,037.50.
Now, $27,720 may seem like a lot of money for a steer, but it is for a good cause. These kids work their tails off taking care of these animals. Many of them start when they are young kids. They start small and reinvest their earnings back into their “business.” For most of these kids, this is how they will pay for college.
Oh, and 100% of the money goes to the kid, which I think is great. It was a fun night but I’m beat. But, now that I’m done, I don’t have to worry about it again for another year.
Topics: Miscellaneous | 6 Comments »
October 20th, 2006 at 8:09 am
I know nothing about steers, but I’m curious… since beef sells for a lot less than $22/pound, and a lot of that weight would be garbage like the hooves, why would someone pay so much? Do pricey steaks make up the average, or is it for breeding?
October 20th, 2006 at 8:53 am
It’s charity and advertising. All of the people bidding either are small business owners or representatives for large firms. When they win the bid, their name gets in the paper for “free” and there’s a lot of hoopla.
October 20th, 2006 at 9:29 am
So since it’s charity, do they actually have to accept the cattle? I’d imagine that many people with real money out there don’t have a use for a steer.
October 20th, 2006 at 3:21 pm
Lol, that would be hilarious though… think you’re just doing it for fun to help charity and then wake up the next day with a prize steer grazing on your daffodils?
October 20th, 2006 at 3:34 pm
Kurt,
The auction is a “terminal auction.” Need I say more?
The buyer has the option of taking possession of the meat or they can donate it to one of the local charities. Most donate the meat to a charity.
So no, you don’t have to have a place (other than a big freezer) to keep the steer.
October 24th, 2006 at 3:39 pm
That answers my question!