DEL MAR
Wearing gold-framed aviator sunglasses and a crisp white linen shirt, John Haedrich kept a poker face as he coolly lifted the number 331 amid the whoops and hollers of the crowd.
Haedrich's debonair appearance was in odd contrast with his reason for being at the San Diego County Fair's junior livestock auction: to bid on swine.
But the more than 400 young members of 4-H and Future Farmers of America at the fair yesterday know him well. As the owner of Tip Top Meats in Carlsbad, Haedrich is in the business of meat. But he does not stock his store with most of the animals he bids on at the auction.
By USDA regulations, Haedrich is allowed to supply his store with only the beef, which is slaughtered at a certified plant. He and business partner Rodney Townsend bid on the other animals purely to drive up the price.
“We try to get as much money out of it as we can for the kids,” said Haedrich, a Berlin native who speaks with a German accent.
Towering over the children at 6 feet, 6 inches, “Big John,” as the auctioneer called him, was an intimidating figure. As the children made their way to Haedrich's seat to thank him for his help, his gentleness shone through his warm toothy grin. Haedrich gripped the childrens' hands between his own and offered words of encouragement.
Caroline Young, 10, and her mother, Jil, thanked Haedrich for making a generous opening bid on Caroline's 250-pound pig, named Horton. She raised the pig with her 4-H Club at Live Oak Elementary School in Fallbrook.
The closing price of $4.25 per pound will cover her costs, with $930 to spare. Caroline plans to save the extra money for college. In addition to the financial gain, she enjoyed raising Horton.
“It teaches me responsibility and how to care for animals,” Caroline said.
With the cost of raising a pig at $300 to $500, turning a profit is important for students, said Doug Moss, agricultural director at San Pasqual High School. The children need to cover their costs and raise enough to buy next year's animals. Like Caroline, most of Moss' students set aside their profits for college.
Each year Moss encourages his students to write letters to Haedrich, asking him to bid on their swine, goats, lambs and beef. In cases in which the child's family is experiencing a financial hardship, Haedrich will make a special effort, Moss said.
Haedrich also helps FFA and 4-H members hold on to their profits by processing the animals at his store for a reasonable price. Processing fees are taken out of the purchase price and can cost an additional $300, but Haedrich cuts the price in half for students. He also processes the four champion animals of each kind for free.
“John's been extremely supportive,” Moss said.
In addition to supporting local students, many businesses patronize the auctions for the top-quality meat. Only animals that qualify as blue-ribbon quality may be sold at auction.
In San Diego County, 95 percent of animals raised by students meet that standard. Although many of the children raise more than one animal, the auction is limited to one animal per participant, said Jaime Mendoza, the fair's livestock coordinator.
Participating in the auction is not a profitable endeavor for Haedrich. He loses money buying low-weight animals and donates surplus animals to homeless shelters and needy families. Even the beef he buys for his store is usually sold at market value, which is less than what he pays at auction. But Haedrich sees it as more than a meat auction.
“It's good contact with the kids,” Haedrich said. “It feels good to be a part of it.”
Monica Unhold is a Union-Tribune intern.
