Fair Auction Is for Students’ Benefit

* Re “Fair Success Transcends Animal Attraction,” July 27:

While the number of animals at the Orange County Fair may have been down this year from previous years, I feel that the quality of animals has never been better.

What caused the number of animals to decrease is the lack of buyers of animals at the Junior Livestock Auction. Each year the number of buyers for these quality animals decreases and the prices paid are lower and lower.

It seems that most students only can break even at best. My son, who attends Fullerton High School and is in the Future Farmers of America, actually lost over $400 on his steer this year.

These animal projects are costly, but the reward to the student is great. They learn responsibility, financial planning and, of course, care for the animals. You may pay more per pound for an animal from the auction than at the grocery store, but the quality of meat is not even comparable. These animals are all grain fed and cared for on a daily basis by the students with teacher supervision.

I urge everyone to please come to the fair next year to be a buyer, and bring a friend if you can. The students really need your support!

JOHN D. MARSHALL

Fullerton