The Pulaski County 4-H Fair auction took place last Thursday at the fairgrounds in Winamac. Approximately 136 animals were sold throughout the night along with 4-H royalty kisses from Andriana Smith and John Rumsey, and a kiss from the 2017 Miss Pulaski County Fair queen, Maddie Ruff. The 2017 sale total raised $85,422.39, compared to last year's grand total of $120,403.30.
The evening started with the beef sale. Five steers were sold in total and brought in $9,507.50. The grand champion beef steer was exhibited by Tori Culp and the reserve was exhibited by Regan Culp. Dan and Missy Culp of Prairieland Farms donated $50 to each 4-H member selling in the auction.
The dairy starter calf and steer sale was led by Peyton Newman who exhibited the grand champion starter steer. The steer was sold to Jason Fagner of Two Guys Mechanical and O and K Farms for $2.38 per pound at 550 pounds, totaling $1,307.50. The reserve starter dairy calf was exhibited by Emma Nielsen.
The grand champion finished steer was exhibited by Sarah Keller and did not sell. The reserve champion finished steer was shown by Chase Keller and was purchased by Wyatt Good of Good Oil Company. The steer was purchased at $1.05 per pound at 1,450 pounds, with a total of $1,522.50. A total of 14 dairy starter calves and steers sold for $14,784.40.
The grand champion market lamb was sold by Elizabth Button for $5.37 per pound at 118 pounds for $649. It was bought by Mic Capouch of M and R Ag Service. The reserve was exhibited by Gracelyn Turnpaugh.
Eleven goats sold for a total of $7,867.50. The grand champion wether was exhibited and sold by Emma Neilsen. The goat was purchased by Chris Rumsey of StockVets LLC for $437. The reserve grand champion wether was sold by Brandon Putt for $1,064 per pound to Dale Gudeman and Wayne Putt.
Miss Pulaski County 4-H Fair queen Maddie Ruff's Kiss was purchased by Jim, Sheila and AJ Ruff for $2,100. The 4-H Royalty kiss from John Rumsey was purchased by the John Rumsey royalty kiss buyers group for $1,100 and Andriana Smith's kiss sold to Doug Smith for $1,400.
One pen of rabbits was sold for $340. The pen belonged to Paul Bauman, a third-year 4-H member.
Audrey Doughty sold the grand champion meat class chicken to Jeff Richwine for a total of $400. The reserve grand champion broiler chicken was exhibited by Keegan Doughty and sold for $250 to Ron Kennedy and Ron Kennedy Jr. Kyle Gibson sold the grand champion turkey for $140 which was purchased by Mike and Donna Putt.
The grand champion duck was shown by Jenna Cords and purchased by Eric Duttlinger of Kankakee Valley REMC for $325. The reserve champion duck, shown by Jaden Cords, was sold for $200 to Kevin and Kathy Wyatt. In total, 24 poultry lots were sold and brought in $5,535.
The sale of 80 swine animals finished off the auction, with a total of $41,817.99. The grand champion hog, sold by Austin Brandt, went for $2.75 per pound at 261 pounds, for a total of $717.75. The hog was purchased by Good Oil Co. The reserve barrow was exhibited by Rylahn Toloza.
Fulton County REMC donated $15 to every beef, dairy, sheep, rabbit and poultry member who sold in the auction.