Livestock Program And Auction Starts Thursday

The Meramec Community Fair was cancelled several weeks ago due to COVID-19, however the livestock program will go on June 25-27.

Chairperson Sue Koch received permission from the Sullivan City Council on Tuesday, June 2, to be able to use the livestock grounds as Governor Mike Parson’s mandates expired on June 15, ending Phase One of the COVID-19 recovery.

“Everything we expect to do will go on as normal, except the kids will not have to stay with their animals after Thursday night and the auction will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning,” Koch said. “However, we will not be hosting the buyer’s luncheon due to health concerns. We have some processors to assist but some animals will have to be bought and sent off the market.”

Koch reported that they expect to show and sell over 80-90 animals that may range from 18 market steers, 70 hogs and one lamb. Those numbers may change or be changed slightly.

“These kids have a lot of money invested in these animals from purchase and feed. It’s a big investment for them,” said Koch. “Many use their sale proceeds to pay these bills and then also save for their college and possibly their first car.”

The event will feature open classes for all species except for market hogs.

“We also plan on doing our pig scramble at 7 p.m. on Thursday and possibly having some other games for everyone as well,” said Koch. “We just encourage our buyers to still come out and support these kids with this program and auction.”

Events will get underway Thursday morning with the hog weigh-in and small animal show followed by Pig Scramble at 7 p.m.

Friday morning will feature the swine show, sheep show at 8 a.m. followed by Beef show in the afternoon and Market steer at 6 p.m. A Super Farmer contest will be held afterwards.

The auction is set for 10 a.m. Saturday.