FAIR: ‘One of largest animal auctions in California’
Forry and a few others who are raising steer were practicing roping – a skill that he said comes in handy.
“It’s fun working with animals, and roping is fun, too, because if a cow gets away, you get to rope them,” Forry said. “It doesn’t hurt them. It’s like when your mom threatens you with a paddle – it keeps you in line.”
Arbuckle FFA members Janeli Moreno, Mariana Ayla and Destiny Silva bathed their lambs together, and all said the effort is worth it.
“This is my second year doing it, and I like getting attached to my lamb, but I get sad in the end when I have to sell it,” Moreno, 17, said.
Renata Montanez, 18, also with Arbuckle FFA, kept the pen area clean by sweeping shavings out from where she and her brother’s lambs reside for the weekend.
“I don’t like naming them because I get attached,” Montanez said. “You learn a lot of responsibility doing this – showing and selling are nervewracking but exciting and fun.”
Dressed in 4-H white and green attire, Chantry Brackett, 11, walked her steer, Fuzz, around the barn area.
“It’s a lot of fun, especially when you’re the only girl because my brothers have taught me a lot,” Chantry said. “I like raising steer because they’re big and fluffy and nice.”
Fifth-generation cattle ranchers Kim and Ira Brackett of Maxwell said 4H and FFA have been instrumental in their children’s lives.
“For her, it’s improved her confidence,” said Kim Brackett. “When you first work with them, you have to halter break them, and it takes about nine months to raise one.”
She said her daughter spends about three hours per day tending to Fuzz, and her youngest son is looking forward to when he can participate.
“Her two brothers are showing steer, too, and our youngest son can’t wait to get his first steer in the fall,” Brackett said. “Both of us grew up on cattle, and our kids are sixth-generation cattle ranchers.”
Tom Dafore of Arbuckle has five children, two in 4H, two in FFA and one in college, but he still supports other children by buying their animals.
“I bought two animals today and spent my money,” Dafoe said. “My wife and I have a small almond farm, and we try to support the children by giving back.”
He bought Rebeca Ayala’s swine, and she brought him a gift basket as a thank you.
Colusa County Fair CEO Jonathan Howard said animal sales at the fair have generated more than $1 million each year over the last two years.
“We’re one of the largest animal auctions in California and one of the smallest fairs,” Howard said. “We made about $1.3 million in 2016 and about $1.5 million in 2015.”
He said a percentage of the auction earnings go back into barn improvements and some local and regional organizations make other contributions to the program.
“Our animals start off where most auctions end,” Howard said. “We have one of the largest count of animals here – 4-H, FFA and farming are what we’re all about.”
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