Hog Sells for $210 Per Pound in Berrien Co.
Published: Friday, August 23, 2019
Two hundred and ten dollars a pound. That's not a misprint. The reserve champion market hog at the Berrien County Youth Fair in Berrien Springs sold for that price last Friday.
Multiply that number by the animal's weight (261), and you can figure how much money was earned by the exhibitor, Matthew Koebel, from that one sale.
It was a record breaker, to say the least.
The per-pound price established a new high-water mark at the Berrien County Youth Fair and also an apparent all-time Michiana county fair record.
During his appearance in the auction ring, Koebel announced that he would be donating 40 percent of the proceeds from his sale back to the fair for swine barn improvements. Eight buyers responded in a big way, paying $54,910. The buyer's group includes SMP Marketing, GreenMark Equipment, Nutrien Ag Solutions, CropWatch Inc., Wilbur Ellis, Hamilton Helicopter, Dwane Knuth Excavating and Iron Circle Irrigation.
Of that total, Koebel keeps $32,946; the fair will get $21,964.
After the sale, Koebel said he wanted to give back to the fair and help other livestock exhibitors. With his share, he plans to invest that money in future livestock projects at the fair. After his fair career is over, he plans to help run the family farm.
This is not the first time that a member of the Koebel family has auctioned off a swine animal for an impressive amount. In 2015, Matthew sold a reserve champion hog for $58 per pound. In 2016, he sold the grand champion hog for $95 per pound, and his sister Katelyn sold a reserve champion that same year for $75 per pound.
One year later, in her final year at the fair, Katelyn's reserve champion market hog brought $190 per pound—an all-time Michiana fair record at that time. Last year, Matthew sold a champion mediumweight barrow for $46 per pound.
The new record of $210 per pound may seem insurmountable, but then again, Koebel has one more year of eligibility at the fair. He is the son of Mark and Jami Koebel of Berrien Springs.
Koebel's hog sale paced the swine auction and helped propel the Berrien County youth auction, with 925 lots, to a grand total of $534,241.80. Last year's auction raised $477,674.15 on 923 lots.
Alec Pastryk of Galien exhibited the grand champion market hog, a gilt, and sold the 278-pounder for $9 per pound ($2,502) to the Kathleen Clark family, Dry Creek Farm, Country Heritage Credit Union, Michael and Kristin Baker, Swartz Hereford Farm, Weinberg Farms, Kuntz's 4M Cattle Farm, Reyes Adent Family Foundation, Hahn Auctioneers, Ron and Margaret Cowles, the Florey family and Dale Seyfred Pioneer Seed.
Caitlin Young of Niles brought the grand champion swine carcass and earned $2.25 per pound ($1,317.75) from Southwestern Michigan College. Next was Joshua Brown of Coloma and his reserve champion carcass. Three buyers—Victoria Brown, Dale and Deanna Robson and Hillview Farms—purchased the carcass for $3.50 per pound ($1,015).
The big winner in the beef show was Megan Brunke of Eau Claire. She sold her 1,395-pound grand champion steer for $4.50 per pound ($6,277.50) to Robert Brunke Plumbing, Dale Jasper Vineyards, Slowik Refrigeration, Art Brunke, Boelcke Heating and Cooling, R.A. Mort Supply Co., Family Farm and Home, Country Heritage Credit Union, Ed and Linda Brunke, Uncle Bill Brunke and GreenMark Equipment.
The reserve champion beef steer, which weighed 1,250 pounds, was exhibited by Bob Zeilke of Coloma. K&K Farms had the high bid at $1.95 per pound ($2,437.50).
Bob's brother, Jason, showed the grand champion beef carcass. He sold it for $1.80 per pound ($2,646) to Shannon's Daycare Inc. The reserve champion carcass belonged to Joshua Kaminski and brought $1.50 per pound ($2,325) from Kaminski Farms, Donner Farms and Danford Tire.
Jason Zeilke also brought the grand champion market lamb. The 123-pound wether sold for a record $77.24 per pound ($9,500) to Shannon's Daycare Inc., Totzke Brothers, Grandma and Papa Timm, Trump International Hotel, Gibson's Steak House and Stanish Livestock.
Drew George of Niles sold the 142-pound reserve champion market lamb for $19 per pound ($2,698). The buyers were Bittner Jennings, Hartsell Family Show Stock, Matt Warda Hay Sales, Michiana Agra, Grandpa Durm, Bruce Barwick Builders, Grandpa and Grandma George, Jeffrey George, Shipshewana Livestock Inc., Country Heritage Credit Union and 2 Yahoos.
In goats, Andrew Pastryk of Galien led the way with his grand champion Boer goat. He received $1,200 from the Kathleen Clark family, Dry Creek Farm, Country Heritage Credit Union, Michael and Kristin Baker, Swartz Hereford Farm, Weinberg Farms and Stanish Livestock. The reserve champion meat goat was exhibited by Sophie Bachman of Niles. She earned $400 from GreenStone Farm Credit Services.
Zachary Young of Niles sold the grand champion dairy wether for $900. The buyers included Mark Young family, Grandma and Grandpa Young, Cross Creek Farm, Nick Totzke Farms, Masten Farms, Great-Grandma Lois Foster, Klug Farms LLC, Bruce and Suellen Foster, Dave and Susan Coulston, Southwestern Michigan College, Lazy Legz Farm and Fifth Third Bank. Carter Krassow, also of Niles, auctioned his reserve champion dairy wether for $999 to the Lockwood family.
Riley Gamso sold a quart of champion goat's milk for $1,610 to a support group (see list at end of story).
In the gallon of milk sale, Kaylee Shuler of Baroda earned $2,540 from supporters (see list).
In last Thursday's small animal auction, Ryan Chisek led the way with his grand champion market chickens. They fetched $1,625 from Wilbur Ellis, Brunke Geiger Heating and Cooling, C&J Construction, Great Lakes Truck and Auto Repair, Cuthbert Agency Inc., Keepin' You in Stitches, Greg and Cindy Chisek and Millburg Red and White.
With the reserve champion market chickens, Benjamin Patton earned $500 from Patton Farms, Patton family and friends, HRP Construction Family, Mark Hirdning Builders, Galien Pro Mart and Mike Payne family.
In turkeys, Alexander Patton earned $500 from the sale of his grand champion hen. The buyer was Patton Farms, Patton family and friends, HRP Construction Family, Mark Hirdning Builders, Galien Pro Mart and Mike Payne family.
The reserve champion hen was exhibited by Riley Kenney. He received $175 from Reyes Adent Family Foundation.
Teo Dyer brought the champion tom turkey and sold it for $175 to GreenMark Equipment. James Scoggin sold the reserve champion tom for $125 to Kelsey Clear Custom Tailoring.
In rabbits, Adyson Baker sold the grand champion single rabbit for $305 to Masten Farms. For $350, Rylee Rudolph auctioned the reserve champion single rabbit to Family Farm and Home and Nelson's Saloon.
Emily Fox received $400 from the sale of her grand champion rabbit pen, courtesy of Weldy Sales and Service. Frank Quardokus sold his reserve champion pen for $500 to Connie Quardokus.
Species subtotals include: 213 hogs, $286,818.80; 38 beef steers, $86,803.25; 48 lambs, $41,431.50; 59 rabbit pens, $40,840; 169 poultry pens, $34,935; 75 goats, $25,543.25; 121 turkeys, $13,720; 1 gallon of milk, $2,540; and 1 quart of goat's milk, $1,610.
Support Groups
Riley Gamso goat milk: Ceres Solutions, Caden McMahan, Propain Racing, 414 Performance Horses, Kennedy Hartley, Jeff and Elaine Starbuck, Tony Holt family, Mike Roberts, Steve and Joie Nitz, Lean Factory America, Whirlpool Corp., Grammy Debbie, Uncle Alex, Uncle Norman, Grandma Pat, Bob and Jo Ellen Gamso, GreenMark Equipment, Ryan Schwark, All in Farms, Egan Stables and Matt and Ann Weinberg
Kaylee Shuler Holstein milk: Gallon of Milk Support Group, Karen Hanson, Mike Alaga, Bittner Jennings, Pat, Teri, Marissa and Natalie Freehling, Ruth Shuler, Derek Pepper and Savannah, P&R Body Shop, Delores Rogalski, Whirlpool Corp., Mike Hanson, Scott and Erin Kuhl, Mery Menchinger, Bridgman Family Dental, Custom Tool & Die, Pike Funeral Home, Walter E. Heyn and Sons Excavating, Rich Killips, Jerrold and Kim Wojahn family, Steve Lozmack family, Brian Murphy, Don Smith, Country Heritage Credit Union, Baroda Party Store, Chris Quattrin/drain commissioner, Dale Seyfred/Pioneer Seed, Skyler Haluch, Becky Ashby, Savannah Ashby, Dargus Ag LLC, Geoff Klopenstine, Kelly Ewalt, Nick Weingart, Steve King, Al and Kristine Shuler family, Mike and Kim Schmaltz family, Katy Ashby, and Julie, Olivia and Jack Elliott.
Return to Top of Page