Butler County 4-H club members and FFA chapter members will present their livestock project animals for sale at the 33rd annual Junior Livestock Sale at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Butler Farm Show.

This year, about 170 lots of steers, hogs, lambs, market goats, meat rabbits and poultry will be sold to the highest bidder. In addition, poultry, meat rabbits and market goats will be presented for sale. The order of sale will be steers, poultry, hogs, goats, lambs and rabbits. Buyers from previous years who are interested in buying animals again this year should note the change in sale order from last year.

Livestock projects, such as hogs, lambs, steers, rabbits, poultry and goats, offer youth more than a blue ribbon at the Farm Show or some extra spending money when their animal is sold. Responsibility is a major part of owning and showing an animal. In addition to the knowledge gained about animal care, skills such as responsibility, money management and sportsmanship are a part of the project experience that will last a lifetime.

The animal depends on the 4-H or FFA member for food, shelter and care. The day-to-day care and extra effort required to produce a top quality market animal to show and sell requires a commitment of time and energy.

Money management also is a part of livestock projects. Buying the animal, the food it eats, bedding, barn space rental, hauling bills and veterinary fees all must be recorded, totaled and subtracted from the final selling price. The difference is either profit or loss.

Many youth have found when hours of tending and caring for an animal are divided into the profit, the minimum wage made by their friends working behind the fast food counter looks good.

Animal projects also teach members about ration and nutrition, hygiene and veterinary procedures, skills in showing and preparing animals for show, and sportsmanship. Winning is not always possible, but being in the ring helps to make all better for the experience.

Anyone interested in buying a top quality market animal is invited to participate in the Junior Livestock Sale. Animals to be offered for sale will be on display throughout the week of the Farm Show.

For more information concerning the Junior Livestock Sale, contact the Butler County Extension Office, 101 Motor Pool Way, Butler. The telephone number is 724-287-4761.

This material is submitted by Donna Zang, extension director, and the staff of the Penn State Extension office at the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center complex.