Each morning, Caleb Bunce wakes early and heads to work. He has a couple of investments that need attention.

Bunce is attached to his investments - they're "the best I had so far," he said - but he's ready to let them go.

"It's a business, and you just have to look at it as how you get your money," he said. "Your profit and expenses are what matter."

Fairly new to his trade, 18-year-old Bunce will auction his investments, two Angus steers, at the 54th annual Junior Livestock Sale today at the Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo in Casper.

The live auction allows children ages 8 to 18 who are involved with 4-H and FFA (formerly Future Farmers of America) a chance to raise and sell animals for profit.

"It's not just 'Let's go sell an animal.' It's a starting business for these kids," said 4-H program associate Colleen Campbell. "They learn how to put a package together that shows their profits and losses, they keep record books, and they have to pay income taxes. Some of these kids even take out loans to buy the animals."

Each year, participants market themselves to potential buyers in hopes that more than one buyer will bid - and bid high - on their meat. Buyers can keep their purchases or donate the meat to Meals on Wheels.

"People are paying top dollar for these [animals]," Campbell said. "Our sale is for premium meat, and our kids get a premium price. The advantage is in having buyers who are willing to support you."

Because not every child has the facilities or income to sell the larger animals, Campbell said, the 4-H auction supports kids selling steer, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens and rabbits.

Youth selling animals through the 4-H auction often make twice as much money per pound - and sometimes up to five times as much - as they would selling the same animals at a regular livestock auction.

Last year, Bunce pocketed about $90 after paying for a year's worth of upkeep expenses. This year, he hopes to do a bit better. Either way, he said, he loves taking care of animals and will continue showing and selling in next year's auction.

While a livestock sale sounds like an adult-sized undertaking, "it's really the child's responsibility and the child's project," Campbell said. But, she added, "Parents provide the facilities and support, both financial and emotional."

Children are coached by parents and 4-H leaders, and are mentored by older youth in the program. Even though the project belongs to the kids, the program couldn't exist as it is without parental volunteers, Campbell said.

"The sale, as big as it is, is just one very small part of the entire fair and how youth are involved there," she said. "This is a culmination of their entire year's work. They've built up their knowledge, they've built up there skills, and this is where the kids can come to compete together to see how well they fare with the next person."

Contact reporter Megan Lee at (307) 266-0589 or megan.lee@trib.com