By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorLast week’s Warren County Fair Livestock Auction was a record-breaker.The auction generated a record $186,296.25 in gross receipts, an increase of around $24,000 compared to a year ago. A total of 131 animals were sold during the auction held July 3 at the fairgrounds.Last year’s auction generated $162,844.05 in gross receipts from the sale of 116 animals. In 2012, 123 animals were sold for $139,630.95.The previous auction record of $184,212.15 was set in 2007 from the sale of 172 animals.Daniel and Stacy Schroer and Dave and Alexis Mikus served as chairmen of this year’s livestock auction.“I feel the auction was a great success,” Stacy Schroer said. “There is a lot of behind-the-scenes planning, preparing, and volunteering that takes place to make the auction possible. The exhibitors work very hard all year long, and even harder during Fair week, so it is quite rewarding to see the joy on their faces, as well as their parents, to finish off the Fair by selling their market animals.”Besides the generosity of bidders, organizers were happy to see an increase in the number of animals exhibited at this year’s Fair.“It’s great to see more kids getting involved with livestock and taking interest in the 4-H and FFA program,” Alexis Mikus said. “We can only hope the numbers continue to increase.”Stacy Schroer added: “The increased involvement of local youth is absolutely amazing. I’m excited to see more youth and their parents become a part of the livestock auction at the Warren County Fair because it is a great program to be a part of, as agriculture is a large part of the community and world.”A total of 30 steers were sold during the beef auction which generated $119,509.25 in gross receipts. The average price per pound was $2.95. The grand champion steer, exhibited by Abigail Raines Mikus, was purchased by Josephville Meat Processing and Charlie’s Farm and Home Supply for $4,655 ($3.50 per pound).Megan Abel’s reserve champion steer was bought by Shepherd Transmission Company, Norma Abel, Mordt Tractor and Equipment, Christopherson Concrete, WW Construction and Green Acre Farm for $6,435.Fifty-one hogs were sold during the swine sale which generated $39,639.25 in gross receipts. The average price per pound was $3.32.The reserve champion hog, exhibited by Matthew Waller, was bought by Carpenters Local 32 for $1,338.75 ($5.52 per pound).Abigail Raines Mikus had the grand champion hog, which wasn’t sold at the auction.Thirteen sheep were sold at this year’s auction, The average price per pound for sheep was $5.31 and the auction generated $7,822.50 in gross receipts. Josephville Meat Processing and Charlie’s Farm and Home Supply paid $9 per pound and $1,269 overall for the grand champion sheep shown by Karrie Rosemann.Rosemann also had the reserve champion sheep which wasn’t sold.Sixteen rabbits were sold at an average price of $485.94. The rabbit sale brought in $7,775. The grand champion was sold by Christopher Groeber for $500 to Vehige Enterprises. The reserve grand champion, exhibited by Shelby Sommer, was purchased by Warrenton Oil/Fastlane for $450.In the goat sale, Bailey Engelage’s grand champion animal was purchased by Marschel Wrecking LLC for $644 ($7 per pound). Hulon McDaniel paid $674.25 ($7.75 per pound) for the reserve champion goat exhibited by Daniel Dothage.Seven goats were sold for $3,700.25 and at an average price of $528.61.Fourteen chickens were sold for $7,850. The average price was $560.71. The grand champion chicken exhibited by Kayla Colbert was purchased for $1,750 by a large group of buyers consisting of Jim and Tricia Johnson, Bruns Cattle Company, WW Construction, St. Charles County Fair, John Graeler, David Dickmeyer, Troy/Wentzville Vet Clinic, Ryan and Carey Benne, 4W Cattle Company, Randy and Cathi Bornhop, Josephville Meat Processing, Don Moulton, Laborers Local 660, Edwards Bros. and Sons Trucking, Shepherd Transmission Company, Robinett Farms, and Charlie’s Farm and Home Supply.Lewis-Bade Inc. and Warren County Surveyor Bob Lewis bought the reserve champion chicken, exhibited by Benjamin Sommer, for $600.Overall, auction organizers were thrilled with the large turnout and support.“We would like to thank all of our Fair Board and livestock volunteers, the parents of all of the exhibitors and of course the community,” Alexis Mikus said. “Without all of them, this would never happen.”The reserve champion steer shown by Megan Abel, far right, was purchased for $6,435 at the Warren County Fair Livestock Auction held July 3. Buyers included Shepherd Transmission Company, Norma Abel, Mordt Tractor and Equipment, Christopherson Concrete, WW Construction and Green Acre Farm. Pictured above are buyers' representatives and members of the Fair queen court. Photo courtesy of Quality Photo.
