Brother's Service Inspires Wixom Donation
Published: Friday, September 20, 2019
Strong support in the beef and swine sales helped the Allegan County 4-H livestock auction reach $639,243.58 in receipts last Wednesday at the county fair in Allegan. That's up over $36,000 over last year's total of $602,680.20.
In a touching moment, this year's grand champion beef showman, Miles Wixom of Bloomingdale, donated all of the proceeds from his 1,323-pound steer to the Wounded Warriors Project in memory of his older brother, Sgt. Cole Wixom, who was killed in a January training exercise while serving in the U.S. Army. He was a former Allegan County 4-H'er who was very active with the county's 4-H dairy judging team.
Miles said he wanted to give back to a "worthy organization" that helps military families recover after a tragedy or loss. The steer that Miles sold at this year's fair was home-grown and was a calf that both he and Cole had cared for. It brought $4.75 per pound ($6,284.25) from Anne and Aimee Geurink of A&B Farms of Holland.
This was Miles' final year in 4-H.
The grand champion steer was exhibited by Connor Meert of Plainwell. She sold the 1,337-pound steer for $4.50 per pound ($6,016.50) to GreenMark Equipment. The reserve champion steer weighing 1,395 pounds was sold by Leightan Dykstra for $3.50 per pound ($4,882.50) to Nutrien Ag Solutions of Bangor.
In the beef carcass show, the grand champion was exhibited by Bailey Schricker, who received $3.75 per pound ($3,007.50) from Waanders Concrete. Wyatt Modreske of Wayland sold the reserve champion beef carcass for $3.25 per pound ($2,785.25) to Linda Burton Collier.
Abigail Timmer of Hopkins led the way in the dairy steer show, exhibiting both the grand champion steer and winning grand champion showman honors. She sold her 1,694-pound steer for $1.20 per pound ($2,032.80) to Putter's Trucking LLC. Next was Olivia Coffey and her reserve champion dairy steer. Crystal Flash Energy paid $1.25 per pound ($1,636.25) for the 1,309-pounder.
In dairy starter calves, Bryce Ostrom of Dorr earned $3.25 per pound ($2,210) from Farm Bureau Insurance and the Hop Agency. The reserve champion dairy calf, shown by Rylee Verhelle, brought $1.50 per pound, courtesy of A&B Farms.
In swine, Bryce Jipping of Hamilton took top honors in the gilt show. Last Wednesday, he sold the 271-pounder for $10 per pound ($2,710) to Beck's Seed and Wildt Family Farms. The reserve champion, a 273-pounder shown by Morgan Sturman, fetched $7.50 per pound and was purchased by Kate and Nick Mazich of Clean N Clear.
Derek Balder of Hamilton earned $3,856 from the sale of his grand champion barrow. His grandfather, Jerome Balder of Balder Farms, paid $16 per pound. Other buyers included G.B. Seed & Service and Pro Vision Transport. Kaden Petroshus of Allegan sold the 270-pound reserve champion barrow for $16 per pound ($4,320) to CHS, Ridderman & Sons Oil Co., Eagle Valley Ag Risk Advisors LLC, Precision Ag Solutions, Dr. Ken and Dian Main, Cercot Kingsbury Elevator, Waanders Concrete Co. and GreenStone Farm Credit Services.
Sara Velderman of Hopkins showed the grand champion swine carcass and earned $4 per pound ($868) from Antkoviak & Antkoviak, PC. The same buyer purchased the reserve champion swine carcass from Calleigh Washburn. The price was $5 per pound ($1,015).
The grand champion in the lamb show (wether) belonged to Rylee Verhelle of Martin and was auctioned for $6 per pound ($822) to Dumont Lake Family Campground. The lamb weighed 137 pounds. The reserve champion wether was exhibited by Bryce Ostrom of Dorr and sold for $9 per pound ($1,305) to Burnips Equipment Co.
In the ewe show, McKennda Modreske of Wayland led the way with her grand champion. The 144-pounder brought $9 per pound ($1,296) from Modreske Swine Farm, Beck's Seed and Wildt Family Farms. Londyn Rolen sold the reserve champion ewe for $8 per pound ($1,232) to Dr. Ken and Dian Main. The lamb weighed 154 pounds.
In the carcass show, the grand champion was exhibited by McKenna Modreske, who received $6 per pound ($528) from A&B Farms. The reserve champion lamb carcass belonging to Caleb Tucker sold for $5 per pound ($285) to Thornapple Veterinary Services.
Four-H dairy exhibitors sold a gallon of milk, raising $22,275 from A&B Farms and other contributors. Proceeds will be shared by the 4-H'ers and 4-H dairy program (for various activities throughout the year). This year, Logan Welch exhibited the grand champion Holstein, Brown Swiss and Jersey cows. Kaden Petroshus brought the grand champion AOB (any other breed).
In the small animal auction, Mackenzie VanKlompenberg sold the grand champion rabbit meat pen for $384 to Bunker Hill Chill and Grill. The reserve champion meat pen shown by Kenzie Horton brought $192 and was purchased by Ron and Teri Boeve.
In goats, Rebecca Dykstra sold her grand champion non-dairy wether for $940 to M.D. Farm Supplies. The reserve champion wether belonging to Bryce Ostrom was auctioned for $1,035 to Burnips Equipment Co.
For the sum of $624, Zachary Loyd parted ways with his grand champion dairy wether. The buyer was Farm Bureau Insurance and the Hop Agency. A&B Farms offered the high bid on Ashton Dorman's reserve champion dairy weather. The price was $516.
The grand champion goat carcass was exhibited by Curtis Flokstra and was sold for $385 to Henry Klein. Gavin Gouker was next with his reserve champion carcass, which brought $270 from J&K Auction.
In poultry, Kyle Mitchell sold his grand champion broilers for $230 to Bunker Hill Chill and Grill. Jackson Morrie earned $216 from Farm Bureau Insurance and the Heffner Agency for his reserve champion broilers.
The grand champion roasters were shown by Bella Garner, who received $573 from Pro Care. Sara Velderman sold the reserve champion roasters for $407.50 to Linda Burton Collier.
Jordan Beers was the big winner in the turkey show, as she exhibited the grand champion meat pen and also was named grand champion showman. She sold the meat pen for $379.40 to Steve Revor. Rian Langlois received $244 in support from Langlois & Sons Excavating for his reserve champion meat pen.
Auction subtotals, by species, include: swine, $308,810.68; beef, $231,387.50; sheep, $28,002.75; milk, $22,275; dairy starter calves, $19,021.50; dairy steers, $9,352.85; rabbits, $4,766; chickens, $3,615.50; and turkeys, $1,792.80.
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