4-H'ers steer way to animal market sale

SANDPOINT — Beef, it’s what’s for dinner.

But only if you buy a steer at Friday’s Bonner County Fair Market Animal Sale. If you buy a sheep or pig, then you’re talking lamb or pork.

The sale is the culmination of months of hard work by 4-H’ers enrolled in various livestock projects.

It is a chance to earn a little money for 4-H members — and for residents and businesses to buy high-quality animals, either on their own or with friends.

Each animal can be a challenge, with steers representing the biggest challenge because of their size, said longtime 4-H’ers Sammi Jo Carter and Cody Dana, who earned grand champion honors with his steer, “Short Stuff.”

The Gold ‘n’ Grouse members have raised steers for seven years and six years respectively.

“They’re the most fun,” Carter said.

“And the most rewarding,” Dana quickly adds.

“Of all the animals sold at the sale, you have them the longest and you have to put in more time and effort,” he said.

That is where the teamwork of 4-H eases the hard work of raising an animal. Fellow club members share advice, tips and suggestions — from how to show the animal to when to feed them, Dana said.

“We looked up to the older kids when we were just starting, and now the younger kids look up to us,” Carter added.

That advice comes in handy since every animal’s personality is different and what works on one steer won’t work on the next. “Some follow you like a puppy when you have the lead on and others you have to hook up to the back of the tractor or an ATV to get them used to it,” she said.

The sale is a chance to show what they have learned in 4-H and how they’ve been able to put it into practice, said Carter and Dana.

But the funnest part of the week comes during the “running of the steers,” the pair said. All 4-H members who want to participate can let their steers loose in the outdoor arena so they can run around after almost of week of standing in the stalls.

“You let go of them and they’re like varoom,” Dana said.