HELENA — Lewis & Clark County 4H hosted its annual Livestock Sale on Saturday.
The sale did look a little different this year in 2020 due to COVID-19; the auction was held outside to maintain social distancing.
"It feels kind of nice to get the air and not be in a dusty room,” says Ashton McGaugh, selling a steer in the sale. “Also, the auction is a little bit different. It's a lot less people than you've may have seen in the past. Like [in 2019], we were filled with bleachers inside, and out here you have 70 people at the most, is what they limited it to for buyers."
With limited buyers and nationwide headlines of meat supply chain issues, the pressure to sell remained high for Ashton and his brother, Brayden. They’ve had their steers for almost a year with special care in a pandemic.
"That's always been in the back of your head, no matter when you own an animal. It's just 'Oh no! There's something going around that's bad for animals. Okay, let's hope my animal doesn't get that,'" says Ashton.
Ashton’s mother, Lori McGaugh, watches on with emotion as she sees her sons accomplish a big goal selling the steers.
"Emotionally, it's tough,” says Lori. “As a parent, you're proud. Their accomplishments, their goals, they've met them. And then, it's just over."
The starting price for steer was $1 per pound. Ashton’s steer weighed over 1,400 pounds and sold at $2.25 per pound.
