By Adam Rollins, Record Staff Writer
This was the best year yet for 4-H and FFA livestock exhibitors auctioning animals at the Warren County Fair, said Fair Association President Paul Owenby.For the seventh year in a row, sales at the annual livestock auction have shattered the previous year’s record.This year’s auction generated over $252,000 for the exhibitors, exceeding last year’s record-setting $238,000.“That all goes to the kids,” Owenby noted. “That (money) doesn’t go to any part of the Fair.”Individuals and business representatives from throughout Warren County crowded into the livestock pavilion at the county fairgrounds last Thursday evening, July 6, bidding hundreds or thousands of dollars on each animal.Children and young adults showcased their animals in a pen at the front of the crowd, before having their photos taken with the Fair Queen’s court and the animals’ buyers.Total sales at the livestock auction have increased every year since 2011, when the gross receipts were over $130,000. That’s without much change in the number of animals being auctioned — 129 this year, compared to 122 last year and 127 two years ago.“Our 4-H and FFA livestock exhibitors are so fortunate to live in a community that supports them year after year at the auction,” said livestock coordinator Franci Schwartz. “There are no words to adequately thank everyone who comes out and helps to make the auction a huge success each year.”Auction breakdownThis year, 42 steers were sold at the auction at an average price of $3,980 per animal.The grand champion steer, exhibited by Kandace Edwards, sold for $4,532. Madison Dent’s reserve champion steer sold for $4,875.Hogs had 40 auction entrants, selling for an average of $1,178 each.The grand champion hog, shown by Kaitlyn Mikus, was auctioned for $1,344.The reserve champion hog brought by Alauna Paul went for $1,397.Goats had the next highest receipts, bringing in an average of $1,177 for 14 animals.The grand champion goat of Trenton Edwards sold for $2,475. Dana Sherman’s reserve champion goat got $1,002.There were 14 rabbits at the auction, with an average sale price of $723.The grand champion rabbit, exhibited by Savannah Krause ,auctioned for $1,100. Chris Groeber’s reserve champion rabbit sold for $1,300.Lambs sold at the auction had an average cost of $906. The grand champion lamb, shown by Kaylee Mikus, went for $1,459.Eleven chickens sold for an average of $418 per bird.Kayla Colbert’s grand champion chicken sold for $725. The reserve champion chicken, exhibited by Marley Fowler, was auctioned for $400.Here are the (approximate) auction totals from the past seven years:2017 — $252,0002016 — $238,0002015 — $204,0002014 — $186,0002013 — $163,0002012 — $140,0002011 — $130,000
Lindsey Engelage presents her steer at the Warren County Livestock Auction on Thursday, July 6. This year's livestock sales broke last year's record by $14,000. Record photo/ Adam Rollins.
