This year’s San Diego County Junior Livestock Auction brought in $657,564.50 from 105 buyers.

The totals represented a significant increase from 2023’s auction, in which 90 buyers spent more than $487,000 on animals that were raised through the hard work and dedication the youth of San Diego’s 4-H, FFA and Grange.

This year, 302 youth, ages 9-18, participated in the Junior Livestock Auction. Of the 487 animals entered in the market competitions, 245 were sold. Of the 105 total buyers, 21 purchased over $10,000 in livestock.

Longtime Fair concessionaire, “foodie,” and Livestock Auction participant “Chicken Charlie" Boghosian purchased the Reserve Grand Champion Steer, the Grand Champion Broiler Meat Pen, a Market Lamb, and a Market Hog. The top buyers at this year’s auction were Heidi and Tim McBride of San Marcos-based Southern Contracting Company. They purchased 17 total lots (The term “lot” is used to describe an individual item or group of items that are offered at auction), of which five of those were donated to the Don Diego Scholarship Foundation. They are members of the $10,000 Buyer's Club -- an elite group of buyers who support 4H and FFA Youth by spending $10,000 or more each year.

The annual Junior Livestock Auction, presented by Chevrolet, is the culmination of Market Week at the Fair. Only “market ready,” blue-ribbon animals are eligible for auction, which also supports education.

In each animal species a Grand Champion and a Reserve Grand Champion are chosen.

Here are the results:

The FFA group hauled in $416,096 in auction sales, and 4-H brought in $236,368.50. The Agriculture Mechanics Project, entered by Escondido FFA member Nalli Vongsavanthong was a smoker trailer with a Santa Maria grill, which netted the remaining $5,100.

This year the Don Diego Scholarship Foundation awarded $100,000 in college scholarships to 26 San Diego County Students. At last weekend’s auction, 13 Junior Livestock Auction scholars were recognized for their achievements and being active members in both 4H and FFA.

These livestock programs teach young people vital life skills such as communication, organization, time management, cooperation, ethics, responsibility, and fiscal management.

About the San Diego County Fair

The San Diego County Fair is the largest annual event in the county with an attendance of nearly 1 million. The theme for the 2024 Fair is "Let's Go Retro," a nostalgic voyage back in time from the '50s through the start of the new millennium. The 20-day Fair season will run from June 12 through July 7, with closures on Mondays and Tuesdays. For more information, visit sdfair.com.

About the 22nd District Agricultural Association

The 22nd District Agricultural Association owns and operates the Del Mar Fairgrounds and is governed by a nine-member board appointed by the governor. Fairgrounds operations are primarily funded by revenues generated by hosting events, the largest being the annual San Diego County Fair. For more information, visit delmarfairgrounds.com.

Learn everything about the San Diego County Fair on their official website and social media pages:

Website in Spanish: https://www.sdfair.com/spanish
Website in English: https://www.sdfair.com/
Facebook: @sdfair
Facebook in Spanish: @feriasandiego
Instagram: @sandiegocountyfair

VIDEO: Feria del Condado de San Diego