Warren County Fair Livestock officials prefer not to set monetary goals for the annual exhibitors auction.In general, the expectations are to exceed the proceeds earned during the previous year’s sale. During a time of economic struggle and instability, it can be difficult to predict how much support the event will receive each July, Fair officials pointed out.But Stacy Schroer, co-chair of the event, says the results of Friday’s sale are a positive indicator.The auction brought in $162,844.05 in gross receipts for the sale of 116 animals, far exceeding last year’s total.“It’s pretty exciting to see the number be significantly larger,” said Schroer. “It’s nice to see the community come out and support the youth in the county."In 2012, the auction tallied $139,630.95 in gross receipts for 123 animals. The previous year, $130,336.98 in gross receipts was raised through the sale of 138 animals.“It all benefits the kids,” said Schroer. “We’re glad to see it turning back around to where it used to be.”A total of 28 steers were auctioned for a total sales of $93,093.25.  The average price per pound paid at the steer sale was $2.56.Clayton Schowe’s grand champion market steer was purchased by Marschel Wrecking LLC for $3,808.75, a unit price of $2.75 per pound.Farmers Elevator of Hawk Point was the successful buyer of the reserve champion market steer, exhibited by Natalie Schowe.The purchase price was $3.423.75 or $2.75 per pound.There were 50 hogs sold at an average unit price of $3.46 for a total of $44,982.30.The grand champion market hog, shown by Eric Schneider, was co-purchased by First State Community Bank and Service and Supply Co-Op for $2,175.00 or $7.50 per pound.The reserve champion market hog, exhibited by Alexander Paul, was not sold due to the exhibitor winning the Grand Champion Market Meat Goat.Thirteen lambs were sold at a cost of $7.02 per unit for a sum of $10,820.25. The grand champion market lamb, exhibited by Nicole Nordwald, was purchased by Carpenters Local 32 for $14 per pound for a total of $1,624.Elizabeth Higgin’s reserve champion market lamb was purchased by the group consisting of Norma Abel; 4-W Cattle Company, Justin and Tyler Wagster; St. Charles County Fair; WW Construction, Wendall and Jean Wagster; and Bruns Cattle Co., Jamie and Christy Bruns, for $10 per pound for a total of $1,210.The grand champion market poultry, exhibited by Olivia Scales, was purchased by Dwayne and Laurie Dothage for $375.Meghan Riley’s reserve champion market poultry was purchased by Warren County Surveyor, Lewis-Bade Inc. for $350.The grand champion market meat goat, shown by Alexander Paul, was sold to FMB Bank at $6 per pound for $642.The reserve champion market meat goat, exhibited by Alauna Paul, was purchased by Highway 47 West Trailer Sales along with Kaimann Auctions and Real Estate for $436 at $4 per pound.Ashley Bauer’s grand champion market rabbit sold for $1,150. A group consisting of Norma Abel; 4-W Cattle Company, Justin and Tyler Wagster; St. Charles County Fair; WW Construction, Wendall and Jean Wagster; and Christopherson Concrete, Greg Christopherson bought the animal.The reserve champion market rabbit shown by Chris Groeber was purchased for $900 by a group consisting of MFA Agri-Services, Truesdale, Travis and Denise Dent; Quality Hydrostatics Inc., Brent Davis; and Owenby Transportation and Paul Owenby.Schroer says the auction results are an encouraging sign that the Fair and community support its agricultural roots and heritage.  It’s one of the reasons she volunteers, along with husband, Dan Schroer, and David and Alexis Mikus, as chairs of the auction.“That’s the reason we volunteer, because we don’t want to see the 4-H and FFA becoming nothing in the county,” said Schroer.Mild weather throughout the week provided favorable conditions for the exhibitors, who experienced a successful week.“I thought the exhibitors did really well, and everything ran smoothly,” said Schroer. “We had no complaints.”

Farmers Elevator of Hawk Point was the successful buyer of the reserve champion market steer, exhibited by Natalie Schowe.