Justin Platt (left) readies for the start of the Commercial Heifer Auction at Lockhart Auction Barn. Platt’s two beef heifers earned the Grand Champion honors at the Caldwell County Junior Livestock Show’s commercial heifer show. The sale event, which featured heifers owned by the show’s seven young competitors, saw prices reflective of the current drought situation. Platt’s champion heifers sold to Craig Archer, representing Hills Prairie Livestock, for $1,250 per head, the highest bid in the sale.  -- Staff photo by Rost

March 9, 2006 - The chant of the auctioneer was the point of interest for seven kids from the Delhi 4-H Club during the commercial heifer auction held Feb. 23 at the Lockhart Auction Barn in Lockhart.

The seven exhibitors, who competed with their pen of two commercial heifers at the Caldwell County Junior Livestock Show the day before, stood before the large crowd of buyers in attendance.

Justin Platt, 18, who took Grand Champion honors with his two beef heifers, along with high recordbook and interview wins, was rewarded for his hard work by receiving $1,250 per head. Hills Prairie Livestock and Dr. Bill Clampit purchased the pen of two.

Mike Brzozowski, with Hills Prairie Livestock, commended Justin for his accomplishment.

“He (Justin) is a well mannered young man and this was a part of his reward. Hopefully it will help him with his college education fund.”

Being involved in the cattle business all his life, Brzozowski knows well what it takes to raise a winning animal.

“As a kid, I was involved in several stock shows myself,” said Brzozowski. As an adult, Brzozowski still participates in every stock show that he can to help support the youth.

“It’s a good education and way of life for them to learn about agriculture, plus it keeps them occupied,” added Brzozowski.

Seven pairs of commercial heifers, offered for sale on Feb. 23, were raised by Delhi 4-H members and entered into competition. Pictured are (back row, from left) Alton Homann, superintendent of commercial beef heifers for the Caldwell County Junior Livestock Show; 4-H’ers Kayla Young, Justin Platt, Nathan Young, Jamie Barker, Bridget Borak; and Tim von Dohlen, Lockhart Auction Barn co-owner; (front, from left) 4-H’ers Wesley Barker and James Borak. -- Staff photo by Rost

Kayla Young, 18, was also rewarded for her efforts by receiving $1,000 per head for her Reserve Grand Champion heifers. Lockhart Auction Inc. purchased the heifers.

Tim Von Dohlen, co-owner and manager of Lockhart Auction, Inc. and assistant for the Caldwell County Fair Association’s Junior Livestock Show, said the auction went well but was definitely affected by the weather conditions.

“The current weather conditions are not helping things as far as people wanting to purchase cattle to go back to the country these days ... strictly because of the lack of rainfall and the increase cost of hay and things like that. So it possibly could have gone better.”

It was evident at this year’s auction that the drought in the area kept prices down. According to Alton Homann, superintendent of the commercial beef heifer show, there is not a lot of demand for replacements right now and the auction reflected that. Bidding for the five remaining pen of two heifers went from $850 on the low end and that was on the open end of the heifers, said Homann.

Homann offered some advice to kids looking at raising and selling heifers in next year’s show.

“They need to realize they need to get these heifers where they’re bred and really showing good. They ought to have heifers right now getting ready to, not ready to breed, but in 60 to 90 days get them bred for next year’s show.”

Raising heifers is a learning process and plans are to continue having the commercial heifer show and auction in the effort to keep youth involved.

“It’s a great educational event to  understand what’s involved in raising and producing commercial cattle,” said Von Dohlen. “That is the ranchers everyday task to learn how to efficiently raise commercial cattle.”

Wesley Barker, 14, has learned early what it takes to raise commercial cattle and the difficulty in dealing with adverse weather conditions.

When asked about the outcome of his heifers’ sell this year Barker replied, “It wasn’t near what I was expecting. Prices were way, way low this year. Last year I was the high-selling heifer and I sold for $2,600 a piece and this year I only brought $900 a piece.”

Barker was disppointed but not deterred.

“Well, I’m not gonna let it stop me. I’m going to show next year and just hope for more money. I really kind of want to bring a little bit more money next year but hey, it’s $900, I’ll take it.”