NH 4-H Livestock Committee Meeting
March 6, 2016 9:30 am
Meeting started at 9:30 with introductions.
Kelly Wright
Ben Cargill
Jolee Chase
Jennifer Winslow
Luke Winslow
Michelle Bersaw-Robblee
Hayden Gardner
Lauren Gardner
Sarah Gardner
Guy LaRochelle
Kerri Johnson & family
Daniel Chute
Adele Towne
Jamie Towne
Christy and Will DeWitte
Julia Jochums
Steve and Sarah Akerstrom
Mary Davis
Budget was reviewed – the total is $2,150. After discussion of various items, it was felt that $100 for
miscellaneous expenses needs to be added. The new total is $2,250. This amount needs to be raised by
entry fees, t-shirt sponsors and donations.
2016 NH 4-H Livestock Auction Revised Budget
Expenses
Marketing
Judges (2 @ $200)
Admission for bidders 50 @ $4
Insurance
Scale Rental (2 4 X 4 scales and delivery)
Bookkeepers (2-4)
Awards (ribbons and pottery)
Facility rental
Food/bottled water
Miscellaneous supplies and expenses
Announcer and Auctioneer
T-shirts
total
$ 100.00
$ 400.00
$ 200.00
$
10.00
$ 460.00
$
$ 530.00
$
$
50.00
$ 100.00
$
$ 400.00
$ 2,250.00
Judges – the two judges have been selected. They will be paid by the fair to judge the regular classes,
and we will pay them for the additional responsibilities of judging the market animals.
Discussion of payment for animals purchased in the auction. The initial plan was to have purchasers pay
the youth directly. This raises potential issues of a buyer purchasing multiple animals, receipts for
commercial buyers, and waiting for checks to clear or follow up on bad checks. Mary will check to see if
it is a problem to have buyers write checks to the fiduciary body (Merrimack County Foundation and/or
NH 4-H Market Lamb Program). After checks have cleared, checks will be written to the sellers.
The key to covering costs will be getting the kids to ask for donations and bring in buyers. The youth
should understand the costs and business aspects with “real world” learning.
There was discussion of an entry fee with the fee being waived depending on the amount of donations
the youth receives. A motion was made and seconded to have a $25 fee per animal auctioned. The
entry fee will be due by the fair deadline (August 10th). Every youth will also be asked to get at least one
t-shirt sponsor and ask for donations. When approaching potential buyers or donors, recommend the
youth have a photo of their animal(s). It is important to have a good picture taken at the correct angle
and distance. Members should look at the auction flyer for examples of good photos.
Database of potential buyers and donors: Michelle Bersaw will maintain a list of those asked to be
buyers and sponsors so that multiple people do not ask the same potential sponsor. A discussion of
possible donors was mentioned, including feed stores, farm suppliers, local food stores and restaurants,
etc.
Tax deductibility – donations are tax deductible. Purchases, even over market value, are not considered
charitable contributions. Businesses should check with tax advisors regarding deductibility.
Auction Rules – the rules from the prior Market Lamb auction were passed out and discussed. Two rules
will be added – the participant must check in at least once with a leader/advisor and the Participant
must get at least one corporate sponsor.
Luke spoke about how he met with potential buyers or donors.
Mary, Michelle and Jolee will work with some youth to create displays for farmer’s markets and fairs to
promote the auction.
First Farmer’s Market at Cole Gardens is May 6th. Sarah and Guy will coordinate having a presence
there. We should try to have a display or representatives at some other Farmer’s Markets, especially in
Nashua and Manchester.
Rick Lemay wants to see 4-Hers with business plans. He has space in his store for displays. He would
also like some of the older youth who are interested visit his processing business this summer.
Flyer: need to add times and that animals are market ready/USDA processors will be available to
transport and process animals. Show will be at 12 noon with auction start at 2 pm. Wording will be
changed to include market ready beef, lamb, swine, goat and Feeder calves.
Brochure for buyers – make one brochure for all species. Will have more details than flyer – everything
a potential buyer needs to know.
ESE NH Day – they will be serving lamb with top chef. We might be able to approach them to purchase
an animal.
Communications: within 4-H, counties have been kept informed so they can spread the word to
interested members.
Possible processors: Rick Lemay has definitely reserved spaces to process animals. The Local Butcher
(Atherton) may also be interested and Bloods may be interested.
Awards:
There is the possibility of sponsorship for a business model award that would be given for record
keeping. It would need to be more extensive than our record books, and would be optional. More
information will be made available if the sponsor decides to move forward.
Danish ribbons will be provided by the fair.
A donation has been made for banners for the beef. We will need to purchase the sashes or other
appropriate ribbons for buyers. Kelly has a contact for low cost sashes and banners. Rosettes will be
purchased for the buyers.
Each species will have Grand Champion, Reserve Champion, Highly Commended and Commended. Sale
will occur in order, with the Grand Champion first then proceeding through all the blue ribbon animals in
order of placing. Animals that did not receive a blue Danish ribbon will not be sold through the auction,
but can be sold privately.
Upcoming events:
April 9th, livestock judging clinic 9 am Sweet Meadow Farm in Webster. Animals for auction can be
tagged at this clinic. Tagging will begin at 8:00 am
April 16th, Beef Field Day Cheshire County
May 22nd Livestock Clinic Cheshire County – this will be required for auction participants, although there
are conflicts for beef members. We could allow those to go to one of the other events.
May 29th New Boston
There will be no tagging at the Sheep and Wool Festival.
Mary will order the tags for goats, beef and swine. Jolee has tags for lambs.
Resource list: looking for names/sources for show quality goats and swine.
Auction banner – Jolee will look into getting a banner made that can be used year after year.
T-shirt design: Voted to approve the design with the outline of NH added. T-shirts will be navy blue
with 4-H green printing.
Groups split to work on the revisions of beef, swine, goat and lamb books.
Book revisions will be made available within 7-10 days.
Next meeting May 29th at the fairgrounds in New Boston (tagging at 9 am, meeting at 10)
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Davis