The St. Joseph County (Ind.) 4-H Fair in South Bend wrapped up with its annual livestock auction last Saturday. The total sale bill added up to $392,688.81 on 553 lots, down significantly, or $80,882.39, from last year's sale total of $473,571.20 on 530 lots.
Topping the sale was the grand champion beef steer that was exhibited and sold by Bryce Berger of Bremen. His steer weighing 1,332 pounds sold for $6,660 ($5 per pound) to a large support group (see list at end of story). The reserve grand weighed 1,307 pounds and was sold by Nicole Haas of Lakeville for $5,620.10 ($4.30 per pound) to a large support group (see list) and Martin's Super Market.
The grand champion born and bred steer was exhibited by Micah Phelps of Bremen. His steer weighing 1,260 pounds was sold for $5,050 ($4 per pound) to Schrock Farms and Turf Tenders.
Fifty-two lots of beef sold for a combined total of $140,874.65.
Starting the dairy beef sale was the grand champion exhibited by Kellie Culp of Elkhart. She sold her 1,425-pound steer for $6,056.25 ($4.25 per pound) to a large support group. The reserve grand steer that weighed 1,515 pounds was sold by Lance Moser of Bremen. He sold his steer for $6,060 to a large support group (see list). The grand champion rate of gain in the dairy beef show was exhibited by Cora Callander of Wyatt. Her steer weighed 1,685 pounds and was sold for $2,022 ($1.20 per pound) to Lester Moser and Sons Inc.
Sales from the dairy beef auction added up to $76,657.86 on 38 head.
In the swine sales, Wakarusa's Noelle Marker sold the 282-pound grand champion market hog for $2,820 ($10 per pound) to a large support group (see list). The reserve grand, which weighed 274 pounds, was sold by Haley Berger of Bremen for $1,438.50 ($5.25 per pound) to a support group (see list).
The grand champion gilt was shown and sold by Kylie Gorka of Lakeville. Her 256-pound gilt sold for $1 per pound ($256) to Roger and Cyndy Keeling. The reserve gilt did not sell. The grand champion litter was shown by Tayler Haseley of Bremen. Her 275-pound hog sold for $825 ($3 per pound) to Doug and Debbie DeSchepper. Katherine Yoder of Wakarusa sold the 277-pound reserve grand litter.
A total of $93,993 was raised on 218 hog lots.
Bruce Van Wanzeele of New Carlisle led the way in the sheep sale with his 137-pound grand champion lamb. He sold his lamb for $4,110 ($30 per pound) to a large support group (see list). The reserve was exhibited by Lindsey Miller of Mishawaka and sold for $3,484 ($26 per pound) to a support group and Martin's Supermarket.
One hundred and five lots of sheep sold for $53,548.30.
In the dairy milk sales, Bryce Birk of North Liberty exhibited and sold the grand champion Holstein milk for $1,200 to a support group (see list).
Starting the goat sale was Abigail Erickson of South Bend with her grand champion dairy market wether. Her goat weighed 103 pounds and sold for $1,339 ($13 per pound) to a large support group. The reserve grand dairy wether was sold by Laura Golubski. Weighing 57 pounds the goat sold for $214 ($2 per pound) to Paprocki Farms and Berger Auctioneering Inc.
Selling the grand champion Boer goat was Lakeville's Kamryn Gorka. Her goat weighed 97 pounds earning her $582 ($6 per pound) from Berger Auctioneering Inc. The reserve grand Boer goat was exhibited by Kylie Gorka of Lakeville. Her goat sold for $220.
In all, 31 goats sold for $5,357.
Moving on to the poultry sale, Jessica Gall of Bremen led the way with her grand champion broiler that sold for $1,025 to ADM Alliance Nutrition and a support group (see list). The reserve broilers were sold by Christine Hunter of South Bend for $475 to Hartford Glass and ADM Alliance Nutrition.
The grand champion fancy duck pair and Pekin ducks were sold by Masen Beck of South Bend. He sold his fancy duck pair for $100 and his Pekin ducks for $120. The reserve fancy duck pair was sold by Abigail Beck of South Bend for $100 to Knowlton Family and Lodge 266 North Liberty. Abigail Beck also sold the reserve grand champion Pekin ducks for $100 to Martin's Supermarket.
The grand champion exhibition turkeys were sold by Morgain Watkins of North Liberty. She sold her turkeys for $110 to 5H Farm Heidinger. The reserve grand exhibition turkeys did not sell.
Sixty-four lots of poultry sold for $8,795.
In the rabbit auction, Katherine Yoder of Wakarusa sold the grand champion fryer for $375 to Kate and Clara Champion Buyer's Group. The reserve grand fryer was sold by Clara Yoder for $375 to Kate and Clara Champion Buyer's Group.
Lauren Morse of South Bend exhibited and sold the grand champion roaster for $205 to Kristin Schalliol family. The reserve was sold by Emily Zimmer of Granger for $675 to Emily Zimmer Buyer's Group.
The grand champion stewer was sold by Katherine Yoder for $375 to Kate and Clara Champion Buyer's Group.
Forty-two lots of rabbits sold adding $7,770 to the sale total.
Support Groups
Bryce Berger support group—Grandpa and Grandma Payne, Michelle Payne, Grandpa Berger, Jennings Insurance, Troy and Carla Gurtner family, Ken and Hope Carbiener family, 1st Source Bank, Mark and Gayla Berger family, Les Moser family, Bill and Kathy Kane, Jim and Lori Lestinsky family, Dale and Marilyn Dutoi, Tony Haisley family, Greg and Sheila Haas family, Mark Getz and Deb Albright family, Scott Marker family, Andy Laidig family, Don Schultz of Farm Bureau Insurance, Ball Auction and Realty, Dave and Rachel Dutoi, D and M Propane, Bickel Brothers, Jason and Julie Farrer family, Roger and Cyndy Keeling, Wilson Fertilizer and Grain, Richard and Sandy Oakley, Andy Synder family, Mike Getz County Line Auction, Doug and Julie Moore, Jeff Leininger family, Clyde James family, Josh and Courtney Schafer family, Chris and Cari Snyder family, Bob Raker, Buzz Phelps BMJ Farm, Toni and Dena Shafer, Scott Geisler, Ellis Auto Sales, Wanda Schmeltz family, Chad Berger family and Ryan Lizzi.
Nicole Haas support group—Carol Haas, Jennings Insurance, Derek Harrell of Harrell Ag Services, B and P Trucking Inc., H and D Ag Drainage, Keith Condon of Beck's Hybrid, Etna Elevator, Helena Chemical Co., Silveus Insurance, Dave and Rachel Dutoi, Duerring Law Office, Farm Credit, New Prairie Vet Service, Berger Auctioneering, D and M Propane, Integrity Builders, North Central Co-op, PT Builders, Mike and Cathy Freehauf, Dave and Marilyn Miller family, True Horizons, Toby and Amanda Freehauf, John, Chris and Justin DeClark, Herman and Therese Stone, Mark Berger family, Steve Berry, Indiana Corn Husking Assn., Clay Geyer, A and C Cattle, 1st Source Bank, Haseley family, Jones family and Ryan and Alison Younggreen.
Lance Moser support group—Diggers, Cooksey Trucking, Bremen Party Pack, Johnny at T and J, Chuck Leminger, Carquest, John Moser family, Yoder Oil, Ross Masonry, Glen's Tire, Toby Manges, J.A.B. Trucking, Richard Bickel family, Louis Dreyfus, Agrigold, Wyatt Sales, 1st Source Bank, Ryan Lizzi, Glamour Salon, Mishler Funeral Home, Tom Lizzi, H and D Ag Drainage, Larry Feece, Wyatt Family Medicine, Reed Grain, Tony Haseley family, Wanda and Olivia Schmeltz, Woodie's Supermarket, Lester Moser, Wilson Fertilizer and Grain, Hills Hay Sales, Koby Moser, Whitley Zent, A+ Plumbing, Heating and Cooling, Jeff Lizzi, Cari and Chris Snyder, Kortney and Emily Moser, Wyatt Merchants, Doug and Julia Moore, Wyatt Beef and Brew, Elton and Brenda Schafer, Mike Moser family, Topeka Livestock Auction, Country Gardens, Perfection Detailing, Mike Berger family, Mark Moser and sons, Terry Weaver family, Olde District Five, Mom and Dad, Papaw and Uncle Terry, and Brutlag Livestock.
Noelle Marker support group—WTF Showpigs, Charlie Yoder family, Joel Laidig family, Mark and Linda Marker, Connie and Gary Rice, Lenig Brothers Showpigs, ADM Alliance Nutrition, Wyatt Merchants, Jason Fox family, Jeff and Jen Leininger, Scott Getz family, Mike Getz family, Dan Pouge family, D and M Propane, Teresa and Kevin Gentry, Pat and Linda Brennan, Lon Reinhardt family, Ryan Stamm of Whispering Pines Landscaping, Andy Laidig family, Jason Marker family, Jerry Reed Excavating, Josh and Courtney Schafer family, Brent Laidig family, Paul Fox family, Wanda and Olivia Schmeltz, Bill and Stephanie Venditti family, Randy Reed family, Ryan Laidig family, Buzz Phelps family, Tim Laidig family, Scott Carrico family, Mel and Chris Lenig, Circle Y Farms, Mitch B and A Showpigs, Dave Miller family, Brian and Brenda Beehler family, Grandpa and Grandma Marker, Greg Hunsberger family, Bokart family, Grandma Jackie, Litteral family, Kevin Brown family, Nelson family, Jim Rice family, Tom Lindeman family, Dick and Diana Kuhn, Frick Services, Glen's Tire, Yoder Oil Co. Inc., McCormick Motors Inc., Martin's Custom Butchering, Doug and Deb Deschepper, Milford Animal Clinic and Garrett and Kerry Eby.
Haley Berger support group—Jennings Insurance, ADM Alliance Nutrition, Berger Auctioneering, Buzz Pehlps, Grandpa Dave and Laurie, Grandpa Berger, Starke County LP, Hartman Show Pigs, Etna Green Elevator, George Grain Farm, Gurtner Farms, 1st Source Bank, Ken and Hope Carbiener, Dutoi family, Greg Haas family and Wanda and Olivia Schmeltz.
Bruce Van Wanzeele support group—Mom and John, Kelley Farms Inc., Clearwater Well, Knoll Brothers, Bill and Sue Gamble, Mike Pilarski, Workman Concrete, Grandma and Grandpa Kelley, Zahl's Elevator, Craig Langhofer, Geraldine DePoy, Monumental Choices, Tyan Beall, Arrow Builders, Susie Buss, Mike and Bunny, Dad and Lina, Sandy and Kenny Kleine family, Calumet Supply, Countryman Landscaping, Todd and Aleta Kaminski, Phantom Technology, Dave Hill, The Mac Gillivray's, Red Hen Turf, Tammy and Karl Dorr, Ernie and Rita Schmidt, K-Fex Inc., CIS Crop Insurance, M and M Tax Service, Tom and Rita Mrozinski, Jeswien Farms, Studio 509, The Diner, Grandma and Grandpa Van Wanzeele, Agri-Gold Seeds, Mackson Farms, Wanda Schmeltz, Brad and Kelley Bradshaw, Elnora Freeman and Doug and Maryanne Millar.
Lindsey Miller support group—Buzz Phelps family, Scott Marker family, B T and T, Grandma Miller, Rick and Karen Moriarity, Grandma and Grandpa DeClark, Jeff Peterson family, John and Judy Marker, Bob Zeedyk and Pat Krassow, Friday Night Classic Hog Show, Bickel Brothers, Roger and Cyndy Keeling, Steve and Jan Nelson family, Wanda and Olivia Schmeltz, Tony Haseley family, Lake City Bank, Jason Farrer family, Mom and Dad, Mike Berger family, Mike Carrico family, John and Chris DeClark, Randy and Thelma Reed, S and Be Kessler, Doug Moore family, Wyatt Merchants, Todd and Kelly Ropp, Mike and Ann Bromley, D and M Propane and Randy Grabowski family.
Bryce Birk support group—Ru-Barb Holsteins, A+ Plumbing, Heating and Cooling, Gene and Elnora Freeman, Stacy Birk, Julie Reed family, St. Joseph County Dairy Assn., Mike Birk and Greg Klopfenstein family.
Jessica Gall support group—S and P Saws, Linda Moser family, Richard and Diana Kuhn, Judy Reader, Grandpa and Grandma Mason, B and G Painting, Lester Moser Farms, Crystal and Heather Marvel, Bickel Brothers, ADM Alliance Nutrition, Jerry and Shirley Campbell, Jeff and Christina family and Mark Moser family.