For hours on Saturday the fairground's arena was filled with people with brochures in their hands, money in their pockets and a willingness to support the county's young aspiring farmers. </p><p>But as a 60-year veteran of the Junior Livestock Auction, Art Cozzi is not shy about telling people you have to know what you're doing.</p><p>"There was a guy bidding on a hog, $1.25, $1.50, $1.75..." Cozzi said, recounting an incident from years ago. "I went up to him and told him it's $1.50 a pound. He said, 'Oh I thought it was $1.50 a head.' I didn't take him though because I knew he didn't know what he was doing."</p><p>At the 2009 Merced County Spring Fair a lineup of swine, goats and beef was sold to business people and citizens wanting to contribute to the auction. </p><p>Some children received more at auction than others, but when the bidding for one hog stuck on $1.75 the auctioneer was compelled to scold bidders. And he bluntly warned against fears of the H1N1 virus.</p><p>"All these hogs have been tested for swine flu so don't worry about that," he said.</p><p>Bidding resumed but still did not go much further than $1.75.</p><p>Taylor Terry, 14, from Los Ba&#241;os received in excess of $10 a pound for her hog. The animal weighed 259 pounds. </p><p>Terry said it's not the most money she's ever received at an auction. She had a grand champion once that garnered $16 per pound. She said this year she enjoyed working with the pig every day.</p><p>Terry said she may major in Ag science when she goes to college.</p><p>Saturday morning 17-year-old Jordyn Cooper of Hilmar was blow drying her grand champion bull Bo in preparation for the evening's portion of the auction. </p><p>"He has to have his hairspray," Cooper explained. "He's like a girl. How long it takes to get ready depends on what has to be done."</p><p>Cooper has been showing animals since third grade, but she still could not give a guess as to how much Bo might go for at auction. Cooper said she'd be satisfied with whatever amount is bid.</p><p>Children from Dos Palos and Gustine also participated in the Junior Livestock Auction. </p><p>The Gustine contingent donated money it received from the event to a fund set up to help a local person with cancer. </p><p>Cozzi, who planned on giving away a scholarship this year like he did in 2008, said the success of auctions really depends on how many people turn out.</p><p><i>Enterprise reporter Corey Pride can be reached by phone at 388-6563 or cpride@losbanosenterprise.com</i>