Merced County Fair’s Virtual Livestock Sale begins Thursday

The Merced County Fair’s three-day Virtual Livestock kicked off Thursday morning.

The sale started 8 a.m. Thursday and goes until 8 p.m. Saturday according to a Merced County Fair news release. The online virtual sale will take place through www.stockshowauctions.com.

The sale was created as an alternative for youth, after the Merced County Fair was canceled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Almost 500 animals raised by Merced County 4-H and FFA students will be up for sale. All sale commissions will be covered by the fair’s nonprofit foundation, Friends of the Merced County Fair. This ensures every dollar spent will go directly to students.

The fair said it has already received $30,000 in add-on bids from local businesses Yosemite Farm Credit and Dr. J.L. Byerly D.V.M. of Sierra Gateway Veterinary Clinic.

“We are proud of the hard work and dedication of our 4-H and FFA kids, along with their ability to adjust to a virtual sale — it has truly been outstanding,” said Merced County Fair CEO Teresa Burrola.

“They have been working tirelessly to promote the sale and their projects to potential buyers…We hope the community turns out to support them—helping to recoup their investment on their animal projects,” she said.

Various 4-H and FFA chapters have been featured and highlighted by the Merced County Fair leading up to the Virtual Livestock Sale. The fair said its goal is to continue showcasing the importance of the FFA programs and 4-H, including the hard work of the students and the experiences the programs provide.

According to the fair, the purchase of an animal is not required to participate, as buyers can place add-on bids as a way to support those involved with the programs.

For information on how to register as a buyer, how the virtual process works and to see catalogs for the sale, visit the Merced County Fair website.

This story was originally published June 10, 2020 at 7:14 PM.