LOCAL STUDENTS SEEK BUYERS FOR LIVESTOCK AFTER CANCELLATION OF FAIR

ABOVE: Mount Dora High School student Rylee Grazulis and her 1111 pound steer.

​Small businesses aren’t the only ones feeling the economic squeeze from the coronavirus.   After the Lake County Fair was cancelled for public safety concerns, high school students from Mount Dora  and Tavares were also left in a financial lurch. The cancellation left hardworking FFA and agriculture students scrabbling to find buyers for their market steers, pigs, layer hens and a meat goat.

As part of an annual educational project, the students work hard to raise the livestock, and also spend significant financial resources caring for them in preparation for the fair’s market auction.  The event is typically the students’ only opportunity to recoup their sizable investments in the animals.

Now Mount Dora High School (MDHS) and Tavares High School (THS) students are hoping individuals, businesses and groups will consider buying the animals.  People can also split the cost with others if they don't need all of the meat.  To make the purchase even more convenient, the FFA clubs will provide transportation to the meat processor which will consult with the buyer to select their preferred cuts of meat.  The purchaser pays for the processing.   

MDHS students have five market steers, four market pigs, three sets of layer hens (3 chickens each) as well as one meat goat for sale.   Tavares High School has seven students seeking private buyers for their market animals, which include two steers and five pigs (see below photos, descriptions and prices).

​Anyone interested in more details and prices on the livestock available can contact:
Mount Dora High School: bellamyc@lake.k12.fl.us  
​Tavares High School: HollandJ@lake.k12.fl.us​​​

Some of the livestock animals available for purchase:

MDHS Student: Rylee Grazulis

THS Student: Cody Richardson's Hampshire/Yorkshire cross gilt, Fiona. Weight: 225 (3/23). Cody needs $2.60 per pound to break even.

THS Student: Logan Cates Duroc/Yorkshire/Hampshire cross pig named Ol’ Red. Weight: 230 lbs. (3/23) Logan needs $3.50/pound to break even.

THS Student: Julie Gibbs' steer Mojo. Age: 1 year and 5 months. Weight: approx. 1000 lbs.

THS Student: Grace Vanzant's Hampshire cross pig is named ChewBacon. Age: 6 months Weight: 189 lbs. (3/23). Grace needs $2.39 per pound to break even.

Student: Tora Kersey's Charolais steer, Gus. Age: 1 year and 7 months Weight: 1280 lbs on March 7. Tora needs $2.30 per pound to break even.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here.  Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.  ​​​​

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