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Gorge Weather

Jump On!

Don Schmidt, and other auctioneers keep it lively
as animals and youth take center stage.

Even the auctioneer can get confused.

Marcus Morgan says, “Let’s start the bidding on this Grand Champion steer,” as he introduced Jordy Mallon and his FFA animal — a wool-bearing one.

“Lamb,” someone said.

“Lamb,” auction volunteer Lyle McAlexander repeated again, softly into his microphone, though all 300 people present knew perfectly well that Morgan, an experienced auctioneer, knows bovine from ovine.

Morgan turns and looks down: “Oh, yeah, lamb.” Moments later, that lamb got loose from Mallon and scampered around the Ralph Kirby Livestock Arena for about a minute before Mallon got hold of him again.

They were moments of humor during the July 25 FFA-4-H Livestock auction, a highlight of the Hood River County Fair and a 40-year tradition.

When the auction started in 1968, there were 10 animals. This year, the livestock totaled 159 (see sidebar, below left).

This was just one of many oft-repeated phrases in an event that seems to have a language almost all its own.

It means, “I can see it in your eyes; I know you want to bid.”

In the auction, the youth of Hood River County wait their turns and then come to the center of the ring, holding or leading turkeys, geese, ducks, chickens, rabbits, steers, market goats, market lambs, and market hogs. Auctioneers call for bids, in rapid fashion, the winning bid is announced and usually, the bidder comes into the ring and poses for a photo with the youth and the animal.

The information is then relayed to committee members Karen Dais and Art Santavicca, who keep track of the data on a computer next to the ring. Within two minutes of the bid, the invoice is printed out and a 4-H or FFA student takes the invoice and a certificate to the bidder.

·

Auctioneers said, “Jump on” frequently during the event, and jump on people did.

The preliminary figure for the 2008 auction is $123,077.30. It would be the highest figure ever, and compares to $121,965.10 in 2007 and $111,220.16 in 2006. The 2005 figure was $99,944.40.

(Okay, you joined the party.)

“The auction has increased 9 to 17 percent every year. It’s a reflection the support the community gives the auction,” said Bob Dais, a 4-H parent and auction committee member.

(Come on, been there done that.)

Spotters such as Don Schmidt, the Hood River FFA advisor, and local builder Ron Chamblin actively work the audience, using hand gestures and verbal invitations to bidders who have “jumped on” but hesitate to up their bids.

Schmidt frequently raps on the green railing with a rolled up program, encouraging more bids.

“Come on, come on,” Chamblin said.

“Heeerre!” he exults, pumping his fist in the air and turning Morgan’s way.

“I love getting into motion,” Chamblin said.

That means “Make up your mind.”

At one point during a lull in bidding, one auctioneer says to the crowd, “He’s worked hard, ladies and gentlemen; let’s pay him off.”

You hear this when bidding is getting busy; it means “don’t be shy.”

Bidding gets frantic at times, with ribbon-laden Grand Champions getting plenty of attention. McAlexander said, “People like to bid on turkeys,” and the goats are a big attraction. “This is the largest goat market of its kind in Oregon,” he said.

Welcome words, as they mean a bidder is adding a few cents or dollars to what he or she had agreed to pay. When that happens, the bidder comes up and tells McAlexander or other committee member, and the announcement is made.

(Bidders have the choice or buying the animal for their own use, and paying an additional slaughter and processing fee, or selling it back and paying the difference between their bid and the market price, which is established in the detailed bidding program provided at the auction. According to Dais, many people “buy” an animal and then give it back to the youth or to the program for breeding or pasture; see list below.)

All the while, eyes are on the animal and the youth who raised it. Mostly they smile as they present their animals. The youth are dressed in crisp white shirts and clean blue FFA jackets emblazoned with their names in yellow cursive.

Christian Lopez can immediately recite the specifics on her lamb.

“Market share Reserve Grand Champion, 199 pounds. A crossbred,” she says as she calms her animal while waiting to go into the ring.

The auction program gives complete rules and details, and specifics on each animal and the youth. For example:

Market Turkeys: FFA member Austin Porter; Tom; Red Ribbon

Or:

Market Goats: Ear Tag No, 88; Garrett Garvin; Grand Champion; FFA; 118 pounds.

Charlie Mallon is poised with his Suffolk sheep, a Grand Champion, but he has a last-minute decision: how to present the actual ribbons. His friend Kameron Walker helps, holding the banner and positioning ribbons on the leash, on the collar, on the banner. They finally settle on the banner.

Why do this? Charlie is asked.

“So they’ll pay more money for it,” he replies.

“The highlight of it is the showmanship,” Bob Dais said, “and all the kids do to make their day successful. It’s a learning opportunity.” He works with auction chair Pat Marick, on “pool buying.” During the auction he has a list of 80 businesses and people who have pledged a certain amount to the event, and he places bids on their behalf.

That means a new bidder joins the fray.

This invigorates the auctioneers and spotters a bit. The list of auction bidders is as diverse as the community itself, from dentists, doctors and insurance agents to law enforcement agencies, packing houses, farm suppliers and orchardists.

Planning for the auction starts in June.

“A lot of time goes into it,” said Dais, who with Karen Dais spent 12 hours Sunday after the auction processing the billing.

“It’s a way to support kids. And it’s the kids who really put a lot of time in — for many of them raising animals is a year-round commitment.”

The bidding goes well into the night. While many kids are standing in line at the rides (and the 4-H and FFA kids get their turn at the Round Up if they’re not helping at the corral), the auction goes on.

Translated: Bidding is going fine, but we can do better.

There are two last phrases to know:

Translated: “Looks like no more bids on this animal.

And:

Needs no translation. It was the phrase heard most often.

The auction is about raising money, but it’s also about people “jumping on,” and raising awareness of important youth programs.

“I believe in children and the projects they’re involved in, and making sure they have the opportunity to get best price for animal; and have an experience that’s positive,” Dais said. “It’s a fun thing, and there is a lot of community support.”