Organizers of this year’s Warren County Fair Livestock Auction admit they were apprehensive over this year’s event.

With local businesses still reeling from a nationwide recession, the outlook was somewhat dim for a strong auction. But area businesses and community leaders turned out in force and opened their wallets to support the young exhibitors.

This year’s auction generated $133,021.93 in gross receipts, an increase of more than $12,000 from a year ago. A total of 149 animals were sold during the livestock auction held July 8.

“Overall the livestock auction went over better than anticipated,” said Dave Mikus, who served as superintendent of this year’s event with his wife, Alexis, and Jeff and Jennifer Schneider. “The buyers came out and supported it like they always do. It didn’t look like the economy slowed the buyers down.”

Last year’s auction generated $120,798.02 in gross receipts from the sale of 156 animals. 

“This year was a real improvement,” Mikus said.

In 2008, 154 animals were sold for $145,477.45, while an auction record of $184,212.15 was generated from the sale of 172 animals in 2007.

A total of 34 steers were sold during the beef auction which brought in $59,542 in gross receipts. The average price per pound was $1.37. The grand champion steer, exhibited by Samantha Dunakey, was purchased by Charlie’s Farm and Home Supply, Josephville Meat Processing and Jerry and Abby Rosemann for $2,398.50 ($1.95 per pound).

Montel Edwards’ reserve champion steer was bought by Old Monroe Lumber for $1,659 ($1.40 per pound).

Seventy-five hogs were sold during the swine sale for $50,837.30. The average price per pound was $2.50. Charlie’s Farm and Home Supply and Josephville Meat Processing purchased the grand champion hog from Xavier Edwards for $629.85 ($2.55 per pound). The reserve champion hog, exhibited by Salena Edwards, was bought by Wright City Meat Company for $524.25 ($2.25 per pound).

Twenty sheep were sold at this year’s auction, bringing in $6.10 per pound and $15,438.35 overall. Dick Stratman, Republican State Senate candidate for the 26th District, paid $26 per pound and $3,283.80 overall for the grand champion sheep shown by Nicole Nordwald. 

Charlie’s Farm and Home Supply and Josephville Meat Processing purchased the reserve champion sheep exhibited by Kelley Rosemann for $2,667.60 ($19 per pound).

Seven rabbits were sold at an average price of $271.43. The rabbit sale brought in $1,900. The grand champion was sold by Ashley Bauer for $500 to Niemann Tax Service. The reserve grand champion, exhibited by Madelyn Guss, was purchased by Laborers Local 660 for $225.

Last week’s auction also was the second year in a row goats and chickens were shown and sold.

In the goat sale, Amanda Christisen’s grand champion animal was purchased by J&C Construction and Marty and Barb Schneider for $412. Christisen also had the reserve champion goat which wasn’t sold at the auction.

Ten goats were sold for $4,254.28 and at an average price of $425.43. 

Three chickens were sold for $1,050. The average price was $350. The grand champion chicken exhibited by Ellen Reis was purchased by A to Z Home Repairs, Instate Subs, J&C Construction and Steve and Sons Landscaping LLC for $375. Randy Lewis, Republican candidate for presiding commissioner, and Warren County Surveyor Bob Lewis bought the reserve champion chicken for $325 from Matthew Reis.

Overall, auction organizers were pleased with the turnout and support from the community.

“We thank everyone who supported this year’s auction, from the kids to the buyers to the bidders,” Mikus said. “We thank the moms and dads for getting them here. They deserve as much thanks as anybody.”