There was a lot of community support for the 4-H'ers at last Saturday's LaGrange County 4-H livestock auction in LaGrange. This year's grand total for the 330 lots sold was $246,829.30. The numbers were down this year compared to last year's 373 lots totaling $298,368.
There were 11 beef steers that sold for $26,375. The grand champion was exhibited by Gavin Neff of Howe. His steer weighed 1,327 pounds and sold for $5,200 ($3.92 per pound) to a support group (see list at end of story). The reserve champion was exhibited by Cole Miller of LaGrange. His steer weighed 1,320 pounds and sold for $2,000 ($1.52 per pound) to Shipshewana Auction Inc. and Wana Feed Service.
There were 21 lots of lambs sold for $17,628.33. The grand champion was exhibited by Cole Miller of LaGrange. It weighed 132 pounds and sold for $1,500 ($11.36 per pound) to David Fought, Jeff and Mylana Fought, Hostetler Insurance Agency-Indiana Farmers, Brian and Kaylee Lambright family, Nick's Flying Service, Robert Mishler Auctioneer, Shipshewana Auction Inc, Troyer Saddlery Inc, Dan Unternaher and Wana Feed Service.
The reserve champion lamb was exhibited by Asher Bontrager of Shipshewana. It weighed 130 pounds and sold for $2,020 ($15.54 per pound) to a support group (see list).
The 10 dairy beef lots sold for $20,975. Haven Van Auken of Pleasant Lake exhibited the grand and reserve champion steers. The grand champion weighed 1,534 pounds and sold for $5,000 ($3.26 per pound) to AgVenture D and M Seed, AgOne Agency, Edd's Supplies, Farmers State Bank, GreenMark Equipment, Halderman Real Estate, Johnson Petroleum, Keesler Farms, Lake City Bank, Lippert Components, John Powell, Remuda Veterinary Center, Robert Mishler Auctioneer, Shipshewana Auction Inc., Stoy Farms, Stroh Farm Supply, Kent and Joy Tracey, and Zook's Precision Ag.
Van Auken also showed the reserve champion dairy beef steer, but it did not sell.
There were 56 lots of swine that sold for $52,965. The grand champion was exhibited by Hannah Bower of LaGrange. It weighed 264 pounds and sold for $2,950 ($11.17 per pound) to a support group (see list).
The reserve champion was exhibited by Caytlin Sherman of LaGrange. The hog weighed 235 pounds and sold for $2,800 ($11.91 per pound) to a support group (see list).
There were 68 lots of goats that sold for $40,190. Gavin Miller of Shipshewana exhibited the grand champion meat goat. It weighed 87 pounds and sold for $1,335 to the Farmstead Inn, Interra Credit Union, Lake Area Veterinary Group, Lake City Bank, Duane and Stephanie Sharp, Shipshewana Auction Inc., Songbird Bed and Breakfast, Troyer Saddlery Inc., Wana Feed Service and Wana RV Center.
The reserve champion meat goat was exhibited by Clayton Kalb of Goshen. His goat weighed 71 pounds and sold for $1,450 to Eash Insulation, Hite Uniform Corporation, Homestyle Butchering, Interra Credit Union, Lewton family, Roth family, Shipshewana Auction Inc., Tuckhill Dairy Farm and Dan Unternahrer.
The grand champion dairy market goat was exhibited by Conner Keesler of LaGrange. His goat weighed 64 pounds and sold for $675 to Lima Elevator Co., Suzie Sheets, Wana Engine Center and Yooper Custom Sawing.
The reserve champion dairy market goat was exhibited by McKinlee Kain of LaGrange. The goat weighed 76 pounds and sold for $425 to Orland Community Elevator, Pfafman Brothers, Senior Financial Solutions and Stroh Farm Supply.
The 46 lots of started calves sold for $49,208. Sydney Rathburn of Hudson exhibited the grand champion. Her calf weighed 547 pounds and sold for $1,900 to a support group (see list). The reserve champion was exhibited by Lilli Howe of Wolcottville. Her calf weighed 453 pounds and sold for $2,040 to a support group (see list).
During the goat auction, Hannah Klein of Shipshewana donated the proceeds of her market goat to the Morgan Hunter Scholarship fund that is set up with the LaGrange County Community Foundation. This was a very emotional time during the auction since Morgan was highly involved in 4-H. Morgan was a seventh-grader at Westview Junior High School when she was tragically killed in an automobile accident last winter. The animal sale raised $4,330 for the scholarship and was supported by many members of the community (see list).
Trey Zabona of Wolcottville also donated the proceeds of his goat to the Morgan Hunter Scholarship fund. His goat brought $2,000 from Edd's Supplies, Shipshewana Auction Inc. and Stoy Farms.
In poultry, 25 chickens sold for a total of $6,432.94. Chandra Slone of LaGrange exhibited the grand champion, which sold for $950 to a support group (see list). The reserve champion chicken was exhibited by Abigail Myers of LaGrange. Her bird sold for $525 to Senior Financial Solutions, Shipshewana Auction Inc, Sturgis Bank and Trust, and Wana Feed Service.
Twenty-eight lots of ducks sold for $8,130. Austin Hostetler of Shipshewana exhibited the grand champion. It sold for $960 to Ron and JoAnn Bontrager, David and Nicole Burgess, Melissa and Joe Dontz, Farmers Mutual Rescue of LaGrange, Hostetler Insurance Agency-Indiana Farmers, Donald and Evelyn Hostetler, and Lake City Bank. The reserve champion duck was exhibited by Chandra Slone of LaGrange. It sold for $700 to the Farmstead Inn of Shipshewana.
There were seven lots of turkeys that sold for $1,620. The grand champion bird was exhibited by Abigail Myers of LaGrange. It sold for $370 to Lake City Bank, Sturgis Bank and Trust, and Wana Feed Service. The reserve champion was exhibited by Hunter Yoder of Howe. It sold for $400 to David Fought, Jeff and Mylana Fought, and Lima Elevator Co.
Seven geese lots brought $1,250. The grand champion was exhibited by Carly Ferguson of Howe. Her goose sold for $375 to Hostetler Insurance Agency-Indiana Farmers and Town and Country Market. The reserve champion goose was exhibited by Sigita Bizune of Topeka. It sold for $300 to David Fought, Jeff and Mylana Fought, and Lippert Components.
The 27 lots of rabbits sold for $7,230. The grand champion was exhibited by Audrie McNamara of Wolcottville. It sold for $750 to a support group (see list). The reserve champion was exhibited by Michaela Pueschel of Sturgis. It sold for $675 to Affordable Equipment and Tool Rental, Spring Fresh Inc., Adams Excavating, Barbie's Posie Patch, Empty Pockets Farm, Kurt and Wendy Stump, and Tractor Supply Co.
There were three lots of dairy milk that sold for $4,275. The supreme champion milk was exhibited by Joshua Perkins of LaGrange. His milk sold for $1,975 to a support group (see list).
The champion Jersey milk was exhibited by Kaylie Rolin of Topeka. The sale price was $825. Buyers included Agronomics Solutions LLC., Ayres Insurance, Deisler Chiropractic's, Lake City Bank, Personal Touch Cleaner's, John Powell, Robert Mishler Auctioneer, Topeka Graphics, Topeka Pharmacy, and Kent and Joy Tracey.
The champion Brown Swiss milk was exhibited by Rene Lewis of LaGrange. It sold for $1,475 to a support group (see list).
Ten lots of pork chops sold for $5,725. Alexis Hostetler of Shipshewana sold the grand champion pork chops, earning $1,000 from Ron and JoAnn Bontrager, David and Nicole Burgess, Melissa and Joe Dontz, Farmers Mutual Rescue of LaGrange, Hostetler Insurance Agency-Indiana Farmers, Donald and Evelyn Hostetler, and Rick and Louann Sherck.
The reserve champion pork chops were exhibited by Brady Yoder of Topeka. They sold for $775 to Hoop Land Farm LLC, Nick's Flying Service, Patka Auctioneering and Wana Feed Service.
The two lots of goat milk sold for $950. Lillian Venema of East Leroy exhibited the grand champion milk doe. It sold for $650 to Henschen Sand and Gravel, Lake City Bank, Perkins Twin Creek Farm, Pfafman Brothers, Robert Mishler Auctioneer, Stroh Farm Supply, Kent and Joy Tracey, and Wana Feed Service.
The grand champion milk production goat was exhibited by Collin Martin of Shipshewana. It sold for $300 to Tractor Supply Co. and Brad Miller.
Support Groups
Grand champion beef steer: Ag-One Agency, CKS Farms LLC, Contract Pork, Bruce Egbert, F and B Showpigs, David Fought, Jeff and Mylana Fought, Jeff Gorr, Grabe's Grain Farm, GreenMark Equipment, Halderman Real Estate, Henschen Sand and Gravel, Horizon Bank, Johnson Petroleum, Kauffman Earthwork Service, Lima Elevator Co., Jim and Connie Mireley, Nick's Flying Service, Robert Mishler Auctioneer, Shipshewana Auction Inc, South Milford Grain Co., Town and Country Market, Wana Feed Service, Adam and Kimberly Yoder, Yooper Custom Sawing, and Travis and Sarah Zook/Beck's Hybrid.
Reserve champion lamb: DunBrokUs Ranch, FM Club Lambs—Rodney Frain family, David Fought, Jeff and Mylana Fought, Homestyle Butchering, Hostetler Insurance Agency-Indiana Farmers, Interra Credit Union, Lake Area Veterinary Group, Lake City Bank, Mishler Family Genetics, Northern Pines Swine, Duane and Stephanie Sharp, Shipshewana Auction Inc., Town and Country Hardware, and Wana Feed Service.
Grand champion hog: Brad Beeman family, David and Nicole Burgess, Melissa and Joe Dontz, Dr. Wiles Schwartz of Fort Wayne, Farmers Mutual Rescue of LaGrange, Farmers State Bank, Halderman Real Estate, Harlow Enterprises Inc., Hostetler Insurance Agency-Indiana Farmers, Donald and Evelyn Hostetler, Mike and Julie Hostetler, Interra Credit Union, Mishler Family Genetics, Nick's Flying Service, Remax, RYC, Frank Sherman Family, Shipshewana Auction Inc., Stroh Farm Supply, Sweetcakes Entertainment Co., Wolheter Farms LLC, Yoder Farm Service, and Adam and Kimberly Yoder.
Reserve champion hog: AgOne Agency, Hannah Bower, Contract Pork, David Fought, Jeff and Mylana Fought, GreenMark Equipment, Horizon Bank, Hostetler Insurance Agency-Indiana Farmers, KMM Construction, Lima Elevator Co., Riecke Livestock, Robert Mishler Auctioneer, Sherman Farms, Shipshewana Auction Inc., South Milford Grain Co. and Squirt Irrigation.
Grand champion started calf: Farmers State Bank, David Fought, Jeff and Mylana Fought, Donald and Janet Howe, Mark Howe, Roy Howe family, Interra Credit Union, Lake City Bank, Lippert Components, Robert Mishler Auctioneer and Stroh Farm Supply.
Reserve champion started calf: AgOne Agency, Bontrager Feed Service, Contract Pork, Farmers State Bank, Homestyle Butchering, Horizon Bank, Interra Credit Union, Johnson Petroleum, Lake City Bank, Noble County Disposal, Noble Industrial Fabrication, Robert Mishler Auctioneer, Suzie Sheets, Randy and Deb Simon, South Milford Grain Co, Targgart Repair Service, and Tire Star of Wolcottville.
Scholarship goat: Allen Farms, Anthony and Nichole Bontrager, Cory and Melinda Brown family, Dana and Co. Salon, Engravers of Light, Farmers State Bank, Farmstead Inn, FM Club Lambs—Rodney Frain family, Marilyn Frain, Gene and Tracy Gall, Good Gallons Goats, Chad and Kristy Hostetler, Hostetler Insurance Agency-Indiana Farmers, Mike and Julie Hostetler, Mark Howe, Instant Rain Irrigation, Interra Credit Union, KZ Rv Inc., Lake City Bank, Kevin and Carrie Lambright family, Dan and Robin Levitz, Lewton family, Lippert Components, Brad Miller, Millers Super Valu, Mishler Family Genetics, Kenneth and Joanie Myers, Pete's Construction, Diane and Kala Roe, Roth family, Ryan Young and Young Family Farms, Duane and Stephanie Sharp, Frank Sherman Family, Stoy Farms, Kurt and Wendy Stump, Topeka Rental Center, Town and Country Hardware, Tractor Supply Company, Wana Engine Center, Wana Feed Service, Brenda and Ron Yoder, Randy and Becky Younce, Linda A. Zabona - Attorney at Law, and Sharon Zimmerman.
Grand champion chicken: Birdie Hill Driving Range, Farmers State Bank, Horizon Bank, Miller Poultry, Mishler Family Genetics, Pfafman Brothers, Frank Sherman family, Shipshewana Auction Inc, Stoy Farms, Stroh Fixit Shop and Twin Six.
Grand champion rabbit: Cooks Bison Ranch, Foxwood Farms Inc., GreenMark Equipment, Hostetler Insurance Agency-Indiana Farmers, Johnson Petroleum, Nature's Cornucopia, Sharp-All-Tool, Shipshewana Auction Inc., South Milford Grain Co., R.D. and Julia Wolheter, and Larry and Dora Zook.
Supreme champion milk: AgOne Agency, Farmers State Bank, Good Gallons Goats, GreenMark Equipment, Hanaway Haven, Henschen Sand and Gravel, Johnson Petroleum, Lake City Bank, John Powell, Robert Mishler Auctioneer, Shipshewana Auction Inc., South Milford Grain Co., Stroh Farm Supply, Stroh Fixit Shop, and Kent and Joy Tracey.
Champion Brown Swiss milk: Farmers State Bank, GreenMark Equipment, Hanaway Haven, Henschen Sand and Gravel, Lake City Bank, John Powell, Robert Mishler Auctioneer, Shipshewana Auction Inc., South Milford Grain Co., Steider Milk Transport, Stroh Farm Supply, Kent and Joy Tracey, and Travis and Sarah Zook/Beck's Hybrid.