Branch 4-H Raises over $405,000
Published: Friday, August 17, 2018
Branch County 4-H and youth livestock exhibitors earned $405,354 at last week's county fair in Coldwater. The total includes $239,366 in last Friday's large animal auction, $102,044 in last Thursday's small animal auction and $63,944 in add-ons. This year's effort fell well short of the $473,717 raised in last year's sale. Lower support prices were blamed for the difference.
Cara Howe of Athens led the way in the beef show, selling her 1,280-pound grand champion market steer for $3,900 ($3.05 per pound). Yesh Metals Inc. had the high bid. With the reserve champion market steer, Blaine Pish of Bronson received $4,500 ($3.70 per pound) from a support group (see list at end of story). The steer weighed 1,217 pounds.
Maxwell Byler of Bronson exhibited the grand champion dairy beef steer and earned $2,000 ($1.45 per pound) from Yesh Metals Inc. Standing second was Elly Brewer of Quincy and her 1,329-pound reserve champion dairy beef steer. Jeremy Bucklin purchased the animal for $1,500 ($1.13 per pound).
In swine, Murcielago Wallen of Union City brought the grand champion market hog. She received $3,000 ($10.71 per pound) for the 280-pounder. The buyers were Farm Bureau Insurance/Chris Maye Agency, LTW Apparel and Friends of Murcie Wallen.
Payton Hines of Quincy was next with the reserve champion hog. Her 292-pounder fetched $1,250 ($4.28 per pound) from Jay Wright, Bob and Treva Hines, Keith Berry Farms, and Ben and Lindsey Vainner.
For the second year in a row, Lydia AcMoody of Coldwater exhibited the grand champion market lamb. This year, she earned $2,400 ($19.05 per pound) from Crystal Flash, Mark Harwell Trucking, Fischer Vet Clinic, AcMoody Farms, Wildt Farms/Beck Seeds, Shiery Farms, Sheets LP Gas, Ceres Solutions, PNC Bank and Butternut Ridge Farms. The lamb weighed 126 pounds.
Cameron Converse of Union City sold the reserve champion lamb, weighing 129 pounds, for $3,950 ($30.62 per pound) to a support group (see list).
The Hines sisters of Quincy swept the top prizes in the meat goat show, with Payton exhibiting the grand champion and Cailyn taking reserve. Payton sold the grand champion for $1,250 to Hunts Concrete Construction and Boer Goats, Edward Jones Investments/Jay Wright, Bob and Treva Hines, Wildt Farms/Beck Seeds and Midwest Livestock Transport LLC. The same buyers, plus Keith Berry Farms, also picked up Cailyn's reserve champion meat goat for $1,200.
The grand champion dairy wether was shown by Jorden Boothe of Reading. He received $550 from Jerome Country Market. Marissa Moore's reserve champion dairy wether brought $250, courtesy of Century Bank and Trust, and Shipshewana Livestock Auction. Marissa is from Union City.
Dairy youths also entered the ring to collect donations to cover expenses for various activities and judging contests. Donations totaled $11,800. Grand champions were: Gerl Pish, Brown Swiss and supreme champion; Kaylee Kriser, Holstein; Hannah Metzger, Jersey; Kelsey Gruner, Guernsey; and Mariah Jansen, Ayrshire.
For the large animal sale, beef led the way in receipts with $120,287 from 56 lots sold. Other species were: 129 hogs, $55,099; 55 sheep, $31,907; 45 goats, $20,273; and dairy donations, $11,800.
In last Thursday's small animal sale, Ryan Murphy of Coldwater was a big winner. He sold his grand champion dairy starter calf for $2,450 to Murphy Farms. The reserve champion dairy calf was sold by Bracy Swift, who received $700 from Pine Ridge.
In rabbits, Hanna Smith exhibited the grand champion single fryer and earned $150 from HR Farm. The reserve champion fryer was shown by Evan Blair, who netted $85 from Jerry and Darlene Morgan.
The grand champion pen of fryers brought $225, with Emma Porter receiving that amount from Jeni's Daycare. Danielle Cross sold her reserve champion pen of fryers for $175 to Upston Lawn Mowing.
Alice Hughes placed first in the roaster division. Her grand champion sold for $120 to Jerry and Darlene Morgan. Caitlin Plank was next with the reserve champion roaster. She received $300 from Lucky Buck and Marvo Mineral.
Stephanie Miller sold her grand champion stewer rabbit for $175 to Steve and Kori Barone. Two buyers, Damiron Truck Center and Southern Michigan Bank and Trust, purchased the reserve champion stewer shown by Clayton Smith. The price was $100.
In poultry, Kaylinda Bahr walked home with $275 after selling her grand champion ducks to Stillwell Ford Lincoln. Colton Baylis earned $150 from Fremont Village Foods for his reserve champion ducks.
Jaden Robey sold the grand champion turkey for $250 to Stickney Farms, Harry's Transmission, and Doug and Cindy Wilkins. Danica Swift earned $200 from Rob Smith CPA for her reserve champion turkey.
The grand champion Cornish chicken was exhibited by Clayton Shortridge, who received $275 from Eastman and Katherine McFadden. Raygan Watson sold the reserve champion Cornish chicken for $200 to Barrows Farms and Kalmbach Feeds.
Marissa Vaughn sold the grand champion roaster chickens for $225 to Gray Well Service LLC. Murphy Farms had the high bid of $150 on the reserve champion roasters shown by Garrett Johns.
The grand champion broiler chickens were shown by James Tanner. He received $225 from B's Shop and Fly. The reserve champion broilers were shown by Laurisa Johns, who picked up $300 from Derick Moore.
Subtotals for the small animal auction are as follows: 108 starter calves, $80,845; 88 poultry pens, $13,029; 65 rabbit pens, $8,170.
Support Groups
• Blaine Pish—In Loving Memory of Ryzer Poindexter, NG Michael Construction, Gundrum Construction, Gundrum Lawncare, Wana Feed, Stroh Farm Supply, Brad and Sara Stoble, J.R. Colbeck, Lane and Cathie Knauss, Gene and Marianne Sickles, Shipshewana Livestock, Century Bank and Trust, Midwest Livestock Transport LLC, Kyle Gruner SOS Service Inc., Bronson Veterinary Service, Superior Auto, Longardner Excavating, TSC, Keith and Tammy Bildner, Bracy Show Cattle, Clemens Food Group, Curt Albright Farms, Bracy Ag Services
• Cameron Converse——Greenstone Farm Credit Services, Harwell Trucking, Wilcox Trucking, Courtesy Car and Truck, Dally Tire Co., Warner Oil, Ceres Solutions, Jacks Family Food Pride, Dove Ag, Shiery Animal Clinic, P&M Precision Planting, Pine Ridge Farm Services, McDonnall Harvester, Remunda Veterinary Center, Custom Agri Systems, Matt and Angie Shiery/Shiery Farms, Complete Industrial Services
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