NH 4-H Livestock Auction - Seller Information

4-H Youth raise Beef, Meat Goats, Lamb, & Swine to be auctioned off on Monday, September 4, 2023 at the Hopkinton State Fair in Contoocook, NH. The show begins at 10:00am and the auction begins at 12:30pm.

How to Enter an Animal:  Youth MUST attend one tagging date to participate in the Livestock Show & Auction. See Rules & Regulations below.

Auction Tagging Dates: Email Michelle Bersaw-Robblee (michelle.bersaw@unh.edu) to let us know you are planning to attend.

• May 13, 2023 at the New Hampshire Sheep and Wool Festival at the Deerfield Fairgrounds (34 Stage Rd, Deerfield, NH 03037) from 8:00am - 9:30am.

Animal Project Workbooks: 

• Market Beef & Feeder Calf Project Workbook
• Market Goat Project Workbook
• Market Lamb Project Workbook
• Market Swine Project Workbook
• NH 4-H Market Animal Project Record Book

Seller Resources:

• Livestock Show & Auction - Flyer
• Livestock Show & Auction - Sponsor Information
  • Sponsorship Form
• Livestock Show & Auction - Buyers Information
  • Buyers Booklet
• New Hampshire Animal Health Regulations

Rules for Youth Participants:

1. You can tag up to three animals per species. You may show and sell one animal per species at the auction. There is a non-refundable $25 tagging fee per species to tag up to three animals of same species (example: 3 lambs for $25 and 3 goats for $25). Payment is due at the time of tagging and weigh in. In the event that the auction needs to be canceled, arrangements have been made with a USDA certified processor to accommodate auction eligible NH 4-H Livestock Show & Auction animals.  Processing space will be available for 1 animal per species a seller has tagged.

2. To participate members must be 8-18 years old by January 1 of current year.

3. All livestock must be owned by the member, not in a farm name.

4. All animals must be tagged at one of the official tagging events listed on the website. Tags must not be intentionally removed for the duration of the program, including the day of the auction.  Tags that fall out must be immediately reported to the species superintendent and the animal will be retagged, with documentation of the new tag by photo.

5. All participants must get at least one bidder to come (or bid by proxy) to the auction.

6. All participants must get at least one t-shirt sponsor.

7. All livestock must have a rabies vaccination at least 30 days prior to the auction and not greater than 365 days prior to the auction.

8. All participants must keep an ongoing record on their project. Completed record books must be turned into the Auction Committee 1 week after the auction.  Sale checks will not be issued to sellers until the completed record book is received. Keping accurate records is a requirement of the market animal project. 

9. All participants must check in via email, in person or phone with a species superintendent or designated leader/advisor at least once each month during June, July and August. Check-in includes:
   1. The member presenting the record book to the superintendent or leader
   2. Leader/superintendent will view the animal or pictures of the animal.
   3. Review of progress since last check in, nutrition, etc.

10. Livestock that are not sale quality, will not be sold. The 4-H’er can still participate in the show with their animal, but not participate in the sale. What does sale quality mean? The biggest determination is adequate finish. Thin livestock do not sell well and do not grade well. (see information included in your workbook regarding body condition for your species)

11. All livestock of a given species receiving a blue ribbon in the show will be sold first, followed by red ribbon animals of that species.

12. All animals must meet the following requirements to be sold in the auction:
    1. All animals must be clean, fitted and groomed. Trained to lead, walk, set up, and be manageable for fair show ring.
    2. Animals must be in good body condition (see information included in your workbook regarding body condition for your species)
    3. Castration is required for all male livestock.

13. 4-H members participating at the show and auction must remain on the grounds after the auction until excused. Members will help load animals and clean up.