The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's official description of the Poultry Auction Committee states that the committee is responsible for assisting with the Junior Market Poultry Auction and for pre-selling all broilers and turkeys at a floor price above the current market prices on the day of the sale. This official description accurately defines the mission of the committee but does not capture its true essence, which may be summed up in one word -- fun. Each year during the Show, roughly 200 pens of broilers and 100 turkeys are sold during the Junior Market Poultry Auction. To facilitate the sale of these animals and help fund the auction, Poultry Auction Committee members work throughout the year to solicit pre-sales and cash contributions from individuals and corporations. The members also encourage buyers to attend the auction.
Organizing the auction and helping sell the animals are not the only tasks the committee performs. The members also sell pens of six broilers or a single turkey for $40. To earn a gold badge, a committee member must raise $4,000 in any combination of pre-sales and cash contributions. The animals that do not make the auction are purchased at a price higher than market on the day of the sale with the money raised by these pre-sales orders. Any surplus dollars go to the Show's Educational Fund. When asked how the committee is able to fulfill its responsibilities to the Show, Committee Chairman Greg Willbanks responded, "Because we have energetic committee members who put in a lot of hard work, but who also have fun while doing it." One of the things the committee does that most embodies this fun spirit is its annual skit. Since 1970, the Poultry Auction Committee has performed a skit to poke good-natured fun at Show officials and dignitaries. Originally, this skit was performed in the Main Corral Club, but because of its immense popularity, it is now held immediately before the auction in the Sales Pavilion. The skit entertains auction buyers, committee members and spectators alike. An emphasis of the skit is on buyer recognition. The committee wants to ensure that the buyers are part of the fun and have a good time at the auction. The committee's year-round effort to create a fun environment and establish a good relationship with the buyers is working, and 1998 was a record year for the Poultry Auction Committee and the Junior Market Poultry Auction. According to Willbanks, "In 1998, the committee established new records for pre-sale totals, auction totals and totals contributed to the Educational Fund. In addition, the Grand and Reserve Grand Champion broilers and turkeys sold for record amounts. It was the first year our totals broke $1 million." When asked to explain the committee's success, officer in charge Carolyn Faulk said, "The committee members make it happen. There is such a great camaraderie among the members that it extends throughout the year. Plus, we have a lot of fun. I am proud to be associated with the Poultry Auction Committee."
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