The Dixon County Fair instituted a Bonus Auction this year at the 2021 year to enhance the experiences of the 4-H and FFA members showing animals at this year's fair.
All the way from rabbits to bovine and everything in the middle, the members showing the animals received an extra bonus by receiving monetary compensation for their collective efforts in preparing the animals to show and caring for them leading up to the fair.
"We're trying to keep kids in 4-H and FFA," Bonus Auction committee member Darrel Uthof of Ponca said. "Most kids get the value of showing animals but we just wanted to give them some incentive to keep doing it - it's a lot of work."
Each person showing an animal received up to $550, which was the highest bid at the auction.
"We tried to keep the amounts equally equitable for all of the kids," Uthof said. "We gathered donors as a committee and there were people there besides us, it was great for everyone."
Area fairs offer the same incentive and generally, the kids applauded the addition to the benefits of showing.
Members of the auction committee include Chris Hansen, Stefanie Brummels, Bob Anderson, Randy Kneifl, Uthof and Borg.
One buyer, Regg Swanson, grew up raising calves and showing at the Dixon County Fair when he was in 4-H.
“I know the work that is involved. I believe it is such a great environment to learn discipline," Swanson said. "Learning how to take care of animals and what it takes to do it on a daily basis-all year long is just such a great experience. Learning about respecting the environment and the love of animals, I believe, is so valuable.”
Swanson purchased a bonus for one young 4-H'er he didn’t even know.
However, he just admired her tenacity, her personality, and determination that she displayed while she was showing her calf.
“Her tenacity was so evident in the way she showed and I wanted to encourage her to keep it up," he said. "Being able to support our future leaders in this small way means a lot to me.”
Most of the presenters received around $300 and all the way up to the $550 top price paid.
"We wanted to get more kids involved in showing animals and every aspect of 4-H," committee member, Debbie Borg said. "We wanted to recognize the people on the farm for the hard work and we wanted to encourage kids to stay involved - understand where your food comes from and understand what it takes to get the animals ready for that purpose."
Results of the Bonus Auction were:
Campion Meat Rabbit - Keiziah Connell-$75.00; Champion Market Steer - Tanner Hansen-$550; Champion Market Heifer-Blake Hansen-$450; Champion Breeding Heifer - Katelyn Pehrson-$500; Champion Feeder Heifer - Elijah Person-$300; Champion Sr. Bucket Calf - Jake Lipp-$300; Champion Jr. Bucket Calf - Cole Krusemark-$400; Reserve Champion Steer - Jude Ridenour-$475; Reserve Market Heifer - Cora Ridenour-$400; Reserve Breeding Heifer - Dillion Borg-$425; Reserve Bucket Calf - Abrahm Krusemark-$350; Market Steer - Olivia Hansen-$400; Market Steer - Madison Borg - $450; Market Steer - Taylor Hansen-$450; Breeding Heifer - Trinity Black-$450; Breeding Heifer - Samantha Pehrson-$550; Breeding Heifer - Alex Uthof-$350; Breeding Heifer - Austin Back-$375; Breeding Heifer - Kora Schaapvold-$400; Breeding Heifer - Emma Uthof-$300; Breeding Heifer - Ruby Boekenhauer-$425; Breeding Heifer - Josiah Pearson-$375; Breeding Heifer - Ashlyn Boekenhauer-$300; Breeding Heifer - Ashten Finseth-$300; Breeding Heifer - Lydia Schaapveld-$425; Feeder Heifer - Lilly Pehrsen-$400; Bucket Calf - Jensen Kneifl-$325; Bucket Calf - Anna Lipp-$500; Bucket Calf - Sarah Lipp-$525; Champion Market Swine - Olivia Hrouda-$350; Reserve Market Swine - Mia Hrouda-$350; Market Swine - Ellesyn Hrouda-$350; Market Swine - Abbie Hrouda-$350; Market Swine - Grace Hansen-$350; Market Swine - Gavin Uthof-$325; Champion Market Lamb - Addy Stanwick-$350; Market Lamb - Maya Brummels-$350; Market Lamb - Sarah Beach-$350; Market Goat - Karson Brummels $350.