Jeffrey McGuire gently brushed the short, thick black hairs on his 1,076-pound heifer, Cowgirl, careful not to miss any stray strands on her shining flank.

It's a routine the 10-year old has done every day, twice a day for almost a year.

On Friday, however, Jeffrey combed Cowgirl for the last time as he prepared his prized heifer for the Ventura County Fair Junior Livestock Auction.

Jeffrey, who was born deaf, communicated through his mother, Livestock Superintendent Jennifer McGuire, about his hopes for Cowgirl.

"I want to show her and her calf at the same time someday," Jeffrey said as his green eyes watered at the thought of parting with Cowgirl.

About 400 local youngsters like Jeffrey from 4-H, Future Farmers of America and Grange showed off their animals as thousands of buyers gathered at Clark Pavilion on Friday for the auction.

Bidders waited for the right moment to raise their designated numbers and put in their bids as the young handlers guided various animals, from chickens to steers, onto the stage.

"It's a balance of nerves when you go up there," said Catelyn Beckmann, 16, from the Santa Rosa Valley 4-H, who brought her lamb to the auction. "You want to smile up there and show that you are happy, but you are also trying to walk your lamb. You're nervous and excited."

Auction organizers said programs like 4-H and FAA not only provide "city kids" some experience with farm animals but also teach students valuable lessons in caring for other living creatures.

"The kids who get involved with the groups like FAA and 4-H learn basic life skills," said County District Attorney Greg Totten, who is also a co-chairman of the auction. "They become positive leaders in the community, and they also learn about saving money and how to care and work with an animal."

Co-chairman Bert Lamb said bidders at Friday's auction were more conservative in their purchases than at last year's event.

"It's been a tough time economically in the agriculture industry with the frost and other factors," Lamb said.

The steer that drew the highest bid went for $9,387. It was the grand champion market steer raised by Clinton Kelton, a member of the Santa Rosa Valley 4-H.

Despite the overall low numbers, auctioneers were in their top speed-talking form as potential buyers quickly put up their bids for the last group of animals, auction stoppers steers and heifers.

Some steers brought in from $3 to $7 per pound.

Steers on average weigh 1,300 pounds.

Heifers, unlike the steers, were sold by the head and not by the pound. Heifers are generally sold for breeding, Jennifer McGuire said.

As the auction began to wind down, Jeffrey McGuire, dressed in his full green and white 4-H uniform, took the stage with Cowgirl.

The pair was met with loud cheers, applause and a standing ovation. In the end, Cowgirl brought in $5,000.

After taking pictures, Jeffrey turned to his mother and asked her how much they received for their heifer.

Jennifer McGuire signed: "$5,000 good job." Jeffrey responded with a big smile and a high-five.

Jennifer McGuire said part of the money will go toward buying another animal next year, and the rest is for Jeffrey's college fund.

Jeffrey said he was overwhelmed by the audience's response.

"I just got a lot of money, and I know they are going to breed her," he said with a big smile.