WLCF Junior Livestock Sale nets over $96,000

The Wheat Land Communities' Fair Junior Livestock Sale recorded huge numbers on Aug. 31, as this year's auction grossed over $96,000, surpassing the totals from each of the previous three years.

The average prices per pound at the auction, by species, were: beef at $2.33 for 13 steers, swine at $4.68 for 34 hogs, sheep at $6.12 for 13 lambs, and goats at $4.29 for 7 goats.

Livestock Sale Treasurer Lori Williams thanked the "generous" buyers and supporters for investing in the area's youth in agriculture. For the fourth consecutive year, Connell Oil-Bronco Farm Supply was the auction's Platinum Buyer.

Prior to the start of the auction, WLCF Board President Fritz Coon was honored with the Lifetime Service Award. Coon has been a WLCF Board member for over 30 years.

"At many of the fairs we travel to, we often see a bit of an 'us vs. them' mentality between the livestock committee and the fair board," said Williams as Coon was being honored. "And I think we're pretty unique here ... and I wanted to thank Fritz for being in that leadership role."

Williams also thanked Coon for his get-it-done attitude and willingness to help anyone at anytime when it comes to the fair, whether it's fixing toilets or helping lay gravel in the barn to make sure the ground is level.

"He'll just help do anything to make our fairgrounds the best they can be," Williams said.

The auction is divided into departments by species, with sheep being sold first, followed by goats, hogs and steers. No rabbits or poultry were sold at the auction this year.

In the beef department, the grand champion FFA steer exhibited by Taylor Galbreath sold for $3 per pound to Bronco Farm Supply. Alyssa Williams sold the 4-H grand champion steer for $2.80 to Derek and Susan Schafer, Knodel & Son Farms and Columbia Grain.

Maeve Korthuis sold the 4-H reserve champion steer for $2.50 to Sprague-Lamont Livestock Boosters. Jay Harder sold his reserve champion FFA steer for $2.25 per pound to Oestrich Distributing.

In the 4-H sheep division, Wyatt Gordon-Miller sold his grand champion lamb for $10.50 per pound to GEM Air. Gemini Correll exhibited the 4-H reserve champion lamb, which was purchased by Darryl Koss for $8 per pound.

FFA exhibitor Lexy Hamilton sold her grand champion lamb for $5.07 a pound to Fred Blauert. Hayley Rushing's reserve champion lamb sold for $12 per pound to State Sen. Mark Schoesler and State Reps. Joe Schmick and Mary Dye.

Thomas Rosen exhibited the FFA grand champion goat, which sold for $4 per pound to Wilbur-Ellis Colfax. Alexis Melcher had the reserve champion FFA goat, which sold for $6.75 per pound, also to Wilbur-Ellis Colfax.

In the 4-H division, Camron Olson sold his grand champion goat to Columbia Bank for $4 a pound. David and Kayla Meise purchased the reserve champion 4-H goat, exhibited by Douglas Olson, for $3 per pound.

In the swine department, the grand champion FFA hog exhibited by Nicholas Labes sold for $4 a pound to Bronco Farm Supply. Hannah Towne sold the grand champion 4-H market hog for $5 a pound to Wheatland Bank.

Lexy Hamilton raised the reserve champion FFA hog and sold the pig for $3.25 a pound to Wing West Realty. Sadie Towne exhibited the reserve champion 4-H hog, which was sold to Dave Towne for $7.50 a pound.

The livestock committee is in charge of collecting entries for the fair, setting up the livestock show arenas and pens for the fair, and coordinating the livestock auction. The group is also responsible for finding judges for each individual livestock department during the fair.

The majority of work for the committee comes at the conclusion of the auction with recording buyer information, sending invoices and coordinating check payments for the exhibitors.

At the conclusion of the auction, the Livestock Sale Committee provided each exhibitor with a certificate of appreciation. The exhibitors were required to approach their buyers, thank them for their support and present them with the mementos of appreciation.

All buyers were encouraged to display the certificates within their business or home.

The annual livestock auction is ran by Booker Auction, who volunteers to donate their time to coordinate the event.