The annual 4-H and FFA Livestock Auction at the Warren County Fair once again topped the previous year’s record, with over $254,000 in bids.The auction Thursday, July 5, showcased the best of the animals shown by young exhibitors during the Warren County Fair. Buyers come from throughout the region each year to support the youth agricultural programs.Over 150 animals were sold at auction this year. Children and young adults brought their animals into a pen for the crowd of gathered buyers to see.Once the animals were purchased, exhibitors and buyers got the chance to have their photo taken together along with the Fair queen’s court and the animal.Each exhibitor is only allowed to auction one animal, said livestock coordinator Franci Schwartz.The highest single bid during the auction was $6,877.50 from Heggemann Inc. for Jimmy Jordan’s market beef steer.“All money from the auction goes directly to the exhibitors,” Schwartz said. “People are buying those animals, paying way more than market price.”Bidders who chose to let the exhibitor keep their animal were given a discount on their bid price, so Schwartz said the net amount exhibitors take home will actually be closer to $227,000.The total bids this year (before reduced prices) were about $2,000 higher than last year. That increase is modest compared to the $14,000 jump between 2016 and 2017, but it continues an eight-year streak in which each auction has broken the previous record for highest total bids.There were more animals auctioned at the Fair this year than in years past at 155, and a significant increase in animals exhibited during the livestock shows in general, Schwartz said. There were over 100 more animals shown this year compared to 2017.Schwartz explained that much of the increase comes from smaller animals such as chickens and rabbits, but it still has livestock organizers talking about the need for expanding their barn at the fairgrounds.The current livestock barn is about 20 years old and is at capacity for the number of animals kept there during the Fair.Schwartz said as much at the start of this year’s auction, and invited anyone interested in helping with an expansion project to get in touch.Then, one of the exhibitor’s parents pledged $250 toward a barn addition, and began challenging others to do the same. Exhibitors also began announcing to bidders that they would give 10 percent of their earnings toward the project.“By the end of the auction, we had over $11,000 (in donations),” Schwartz said. “It was almost overwhelming how much support came all at once.“I’ve always been proud to say I’m from Warren County . . . but I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud than I was Thursday night,” she noted. “Everyone wants to do everything they can for the kids.”Auction breakdownHere are the top earners for each category of animal sold at the auction.Rabbits:Savannah Krause, $1,000, purchased by Jeff Porter and State Sen. Jeanie Riddle.Rhett Karrenbrock, $1,000, purchased by Warrenton Oil, FastLane and Holiday Inn Express.Katlyn Miller, $950, purchased by Earthsmart Construction and Lisa’s Kids.Beef:Jimmy Jordan, $6,877.50, purchased by Heggemann Inc.Nicholas Jordan, $4,518.75, purchased by Heggemann Inc.Owen Frye, $4,455, purchased by Wheeler Auction.Hog:Tate Mikus, $3,312.50, purchased by Marie Thurston.Bailey Schneider, $3,185.50, purchased by T S Banze Construction.Eli Schneider, $1,908.00 First Community Bank, purchased by JT Schneider Trucking Service and Supply Co-op, and Stacey Begeman.Lamb:Kaitlyn Mikus, $1,174.25, purchased by Niemann Tax Service.Maci Norwald, $1,159.20, purchased by Jeff Porter and State Sen. Jeanie Riddle.William Lee, $943.50, purchased by Critter Cleaners and Metal Fabricators of St. Louis.Goat:Isabella Miller, $2,336.00, purchased by 4W Cattle Company; Abel’s Lawn Service LLC; Benjamin Luetkemeier/Nicole Norwald; Bruns Cattle Co.; Buckeye Valley Farms/Ryan and Carrie Benne; Camp Creek Cattle Company; Chad Schneider; Christopherson Concrete; Donny and Sherry Kopmann; James Johnson; Jim and Shelly Pyrtle; Megan Abel Purina Livestock Specialist; Mordt Tractor and Equipment; Neal and Leann Davis; Shepherd Transmission Company; Troy Veterinary; WW Construction; and Zachary Dunakey.Trenton Edwards, $2,028, purchased by Marschel Wrecking LLC and NC Cattle Co.Dylan Hanff, $1,406.60, purchased by Alello Homes.Chickens:Carter Flake, $1,500, purchased by Pauk Farm and Pinnacle Automotive Gallery.Hannah Hoelscher, $1,000, purchased by Jared and Rebecca Pollard, and Mertens Quarry.Caydence McGee, $900, purchased by Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices; Bonnie Vahle; Camp Creek Cattle Company; Carmen Schulze; Charlie Edwards; East Central Livestock Show; Edward Bros. (Duke and Michelle); Edward Sisters; Extreme Team Real Estate Group; Montel and Jordan Edwards; NC Cattle Co.; Noltkamper Farms; Rickie Ingram; Trent and Hillary Edwards; U.S. Title; and Zack Haake.

Jimmy Jordan displays his market beef livestock entry at the Warren County fairgrounds Thursday, July 5. Jordan's was the highest grossing animal during the anual 4-H and FFA livestock auction, with a bid of $6,877.50 from Heggemann Inc. Behind him are representatives of Heggemann with members of the Fair queen's court. 

Rebecca Chapman photo