Exhibitor Answers to Frequently Asked Buyer Questions

1. My family really can't eat a whole animal. Can I split it with a Friend? 
   
   Yes.   Two or more individuals can share the cost and meat products. 

   There are actually four options for purchasing an animal. 
    

   1. A business, organization or individual can buy an animal for its meat product; the costs include the purchase price and processing costs.
   2. Two or more buyers can share the cost and meat products; the costs include sharing the purchase price and processing costs.
   3. A business, organization or individual can donate their purchase to a charity of their choice; the costs include the purchase price.
   4. A business, organization or individual can have their purchase sold at public auction by the Sale Committee and receive the proceeds of that sale; the cost includes the purchase price.
      
      
2. I don't own a truck. How can I get the animal to the Processor?
   
   You can make arrangements with the Livestock Sale Committee after the Sale to have your animal hauled to a local processor free of charge.
   
   
3. We buy our meat at our local grocery store. What makes yours better?
   
   My animal is well fed and cared for. The meat will be handled by a local processor according to your specifications.
   
   
4. How about cutting it up. I know nothing about meat cuts. Is there someone who can advise me?
   
   Yes. There will be experts at the Sale to answer your questions and advise you. The local processor will also walk you through the process and answer questions.
   
   
5. What will the animal cost me? Do I pay for the processing too?
   
   Your bid at the Auction will be based on a price per pound of live weight. If you bid $1 on a 230 lb. hog, your cost will be $230.
   
   In addition, you will pay a price per pound  to the processor to cut, cure, wrap and freeze your meat.  The cost is based on live weight for hogs and dressed weight for beef, sheep and goats.  There is usually an additional flat rate fee for butchering that can range from $5 to $15.
   
   
6. Are there any other advantages for me to buying your animal, such as tax deductions?
   
   Market value is established by weekly terminal market prices. The buyer is responsible for the determination of the tax deduction on the investment in an animal at a 4-H livestock sale. Counsel of a tax attorney and/or accountant should be received before making that determination. The final authority, however, is the IRS.
   
   
7. I support your project and the 4-H program. However, I just can't buy an animal this year. Is there anything I can do to show my support?
   
   Yes. You can make a cash donation to the 4-H Livestock Sale Committee, its Scholarship Fund, the 4-H Fair or the 4-H program.
   
   
8. What will I receive besides the animal to show the community that I supported 4-H and your project?
   
   --a picture taken of you and me after the purchase
   --a banner for your home/place of business;
   --free publicity
   --enjoyment of the high quality product you purchased
   
   
9. What are you planning to do with the money you receive for your project animal?
   
   Youth use the money for a variety of future plans such as buying next year's project animal and/or adding to their college fund.
   
   
10. I can't make it to the auction. How else can I bid on your animal?

You can submit your top bid in writing to the Sale Committee who will bid for you.  You need to state which one of the four options from question #1 above you choose.  TI will  contact you after the Sale if you have the winning bid.

 

11. Am I buying this animal on the live weight basis or by the carcass weight?
    
    Your bid will per pound for the live weight.
    
    
12. How many pounds of meat should I expect?
    
    On average, a beef animal will process approximately 40% of its live weight.
    ..a lamb 50%
    ..a goat 50%
    ..a swine 60%
    
    These estimates will vary according to your specification for processing the meat.
    
    
13. Where do I pick up the animal?
    
    If you are hauling the animal, you will pick it up at the Fair Grounds after the Sale.  If you make arrangements with the Sale Committee to haul your animal, you will pick the meat up at the processor who will notify you when the meat is ready.
    
    
14. Am I responsible for taking care of my animal purchase at the fairgrounds after I buy it,
    but before it is shipped to the processor?

No. I will take care of the animal until it is hauled to the processor.

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