Madison Scarborough Wows the LaPorte Co. Fair
Published: Friday, July 23, 2021
The LaPorte County Fair added a novel page to its illustrious history when Madison Scarborough's beef steer was judged to be the grand champion of the show.
Not only did she achieve what auctioneer Jim Lestinsky announced as one of the event's "highest honors" during the milestone 175th rendition of Indiana's oldest county fair, she serendipitously duplicated the feat of her mother, Denise, who showed the grand champ as a 14-year-old at the 150th LaPorte County Fair in 1995.
Just for good measure, Madison's 1,300-pound Simmental steer also broke the sales record when it sold for $13,600 ($10.46) per pound, to the Family and Friends of Madison Scarborough buying group (see list at the end of the story) at last Friday's auction.
Oh, and by the way, 12-year-old's beloved barrow named Fridge set a record for a reserve champion, at $4,300, in the swine auction.
The busy seventh-grader-to-be at South Central Junior-Senior High School in Union Mills also showed the grand champion gilt, which she didn't sell and will show at the Indiana State Fair, had the supreme ewe, auctioned off a sheep and won intermediate showmanship in all three species.
All in all, it was a joyful return to the fair after last year's cancelation due to the pandemic for the Scarborough family. Well, except for Madison's tearful farewell to Fridge, to which she had become especially attached.
A few hours later, Madison was all smiles, however.
"This was really exciting, but I like the other animal (Fridge) better," she said after receiving a rousing ovation during the steer sale. "This is all a big deal and quite shocking that it happened this year—25 years apart.
"Both my parents and everyone push me so hard because they want what's best for me and they want me to fulfill my potential."
Madison's father, Mark, runs the family's row crop operation in LaCrosse.
Weighing in at 270 pounds, Fridge sold for $15.92 per pound and was purchased by Harold and Jane Parker Farms and Tom and Jenna Parker.
Madison's auction proceeds will go into her college fund, but she said she's still a long way away from deciding what to study or what school she will attend (Denise is strongly suggesting Purdue University).
While setting up the cattle stalls earlier in the week, Denise pointed out her name to Madison on the banner listing all the past champions. Denise marked her family's latest claim to fair immortality by lauding her daughter's work ethic.
"It's fun when you win yourself, but when you see all the hard work she puts in totally pay off, it's very rewarding. She spends hours out in the barn every day with her animals. She loves all the animals but the pigs are her passion.
"I loved showing livestock growing up, but she's taken it to a whole new level with going to jackpot shows and showing a lot more than I ever did. I told her to enjoy this year because something like this might never happen again."
The LaPorte County Fair sold 331 animal lots for a grand total of $302,655.79.
Chase Rosenbaum of Wanatah sold his 1,310-pound reserve champion beef steer for $4,100, or $3.13 a pound, to Cary Rosenbaum Seed Supply.
Just as he did in 2019, Rosenbaum also exhibited the grand champion swine barrow, which he chose not to sell because he's entering it in the state fair.
Leila Hoover of Hanna showed the reserve champion gilt, which wasn't auctioned.
The grand champion market lamb and the reserve grand champion were exhibited by Mason Neulieb of LaPorte, who did not sell the animals.
Christian Frazier of LaPorte sold the grand champion lamb carcass, which weighed 133 pounds, for $600 to the LaPorte County Agriculture Assn. and Horizon Bank. The reserve champion lamb carcass was sold by Ian Wood to 1st Source Bank for $600 and weighed 113 pounds.
Austin Hester of LaPorte exhibited the grand champion and the reserve champion dairy steers, but didn't sell either one.
Jordyn Ryan of LaPorte topped the dairy sale with the supreme dairy animal and grand champion Holstein milk, which she sold for $2,000 to Friends of Jordyn Ryan; 1st Source Bank; and Angela Smoker, CPA.
Amy West of LaPorte sold her grand champion Ayrshire milk for $1,200 paid by Farm Bureau Insurance, Zach Coulter, and Friends and Family of Amy West.
Blake Kessler of LaPorte showed his grand champion Milking Shorthorn, and milk from the animal sold for $900 to Barry Kessler. Jillian Conrad sold milk from the reserve champion Milking Shorthorn for a record $2,250 to Friends of Jillian Conrad, Beck's Hybrids and Chad Conrad.
Brayden Mannia of Rolling Prairie earned grand champion designation for his Brown Swiss and sold her milk for $600 to the Liquor Vault.
Brady Kessler of LaPorte did not sell the milk from grand champion Guernsey or his supreme champion heifer. Nathan Baima of LaPorte did not sell his grand champion Jersey milk.
In the goat sale, Ella Minich sold the senior champion goat milk for a record $1,600 to Friends of Ella Minich; Emcor Hyre Electric; Angela Smoker, CPA; and LaPorte Insurance Agency.
Audrey Byers of Michigan City showed the champion dairy goat wether. The 64-pound animal sold for $500 to Jonathan Kraft Auction Service. Addison Byer of Michigan City provided the reserve champion dairy goat wether, which sold for $500 to LaPorte County Farm Bureau.
The champion specialty goat wether was auctioned by Dontrail Williams of LaPorte who had a big day across several species. Williams' 65-pound goat went for a record $3,500 to Rose Brothers & Sons.
Ethan Hale also broke the sales record for the reserve champion specialty goat wether, which was purchased for $3,000 by a buyers' group (see list).
Jayden Niegos exhibited the champion Pygmy goat wether. The 28-pounder sold for $500 to Schlundt Ag Supply/Dairyland Seeds. The reserve champion Pygmy wether of LaPorte's Whitney Compton was not sold.
In the rabbit sale, Dylan Rogers of Michigan City hoisted the grand champion carcass, which sold for $275 to Terry and Donna Beecher. Peyton Swanson of Union Mills sold his reserve champion carcass for a record-breaking $300 to Kankakee Valley REMC and Guse Berries.
The grand champion meat pen was sold by Megan Kleine of LaCrosse. The rabbits broke the sales record and were purchased for $1,600 by Amanda Matthews of Crosse Kutz hair salon. Keeley Beecher's reserve meat pen also went for a record-breaking $1,600 to Terry and Donna Beecher.
The champion rabbit roaster was sold by Hester to the 4-H Rabbit Concession Stand for $225. Mackenzie Mark of LaPorte had the reserve champion roaster which sold for $375 to the 4-H Rabbit Concession Stand.
Mallorie LaGard of Michigan City had the fair's grand champion single rabbit fryer, which she did not sell. The reserve champion rabbit single fryer of Mia Mark, of LaPorte, also was not sold, nor was Hester's champion rabbit stewer.
Kolton Saylor of Walkerton showed the grand champion six-class rabbit.
In the poultry sale, Chloe Fasshauer of Union Mills sold her grand champion commercial duck for $225 to Burnips Equipment and Nathan Fasshauer's reserve champion went to for a price of $300 to Triple M Dairy.
Williams sold the grand champion turkey for $500 to 1st Source Bank and Catherine Mrozinski. Williams also presented the grand champion poultry carcass, which he sold to Rose Brothers & Sons for $400. Jacob Wireman of LaPorte sold the reserve carcass went for $450 to Sue King.
The reserve champion turkey was sold by Maggie Emmons of Michigan City to Horizon Bank and Kim Presley for $275.
Griffin Ott-Large of LaPorte sold the grand champion commercial chicken for $250 to 1st Source Bank, Oak Grove Farms and Catherine Mrozinski. Georgia Pumroy of Rolling Prairie exhibited the reserve commercial chicken, which Michael Zygmuntowski bought for $200.
Brayden Watson of LaPorte showed the champion 1A geese and Abigail Stimley of LaPorte exhibited the champion 1B geese. Neither participated in the auction.
Wireman sold the champion laying hen for a record $600 to Sue King while Pumroy's champion laying pullets garnered $225 from Steve and Betsey Mrozinski.
Pumroy did not sell her champion roaster and Griffin Ott-Large showed the grand champion broiler, which he did not sell.
LaGard sold her reserve champion broiler for $175 to Pickett Trucking & Service and her reserve champion roaster for a record $350 to Butch and Sally Dipert, and to LLS Rabbitry.
Species subtotals include: 34 goats, $23,475; five dairy $6,950; 68 poultry, $19,350; 24 rabbits, $9,125; 58 sheep, $45,137.50; 28 beef, $88,789; and 102 swine, $92,929.29.
Twelve wood sculptures auctioned off for $16,900, which will go to the 4-H scholarship fund.
Buyers Groups
Family and Friends of Madison Scarborough Buyers' Group: Dan and Missy Culp family; Sue Parker; Brittany and Jordan Smith; Rob and Deb Fisher; Eagle Rock Farm; Jim, Pat, Christopher, Boston and Jubee Tucker; Circle S Farm Solutions; Ken and Patty Shively; Larry and Susan Yazel; Matt Schafer and family; The Floor Store; Bane Welker—Plymouth; Steve Blackford family; Shaffner Tire; Justin Marks; Glenn, Darlene and Ella Schlundt; Garrett Schable Insurance; Sauer's Buick GMC; Greenmark—Plymouth; Bane Welker—LaCrosse; Gutwein Seed Service; Scarborough Farms; Mitzner Meats LLC; Triple J Mar Petroleum; Schafer Farms; Vern and Sherrie Schafer; Wychoff Hybrids; Matt and Allie Scarborough; Tom and Jenna Parker; Linda Scarborough; Harold and Jane Parker; Mark and Nancy Parkman; Hochstetler Grain Equipment; Gorski Farms; Angela Smoker, CPA; Castongia Valparaiso; Fisel, Lauer & Johnson; Mike and Joannie Ames; Craig and Diane Small; Keith and Michelle Kneifel; Rich and Marilyn Livinghouse; Kelley Engineering; Neal and Debra Paschen; Ken and Sharon Boilini; Janelle Mitzner; Sunset Septic & Excavating; Scarborough Excavating; Burnips Equipment; Jay Mitzner Show Cattle; and JMart BP.
Ethan Hale buyers' group: Friends of Ethan Hale; Sarah Kolodziej, Empire Imagery, Jordan Smith, Mike and Cheryl Seitz, Donna Richardson Hale, Jud Tolmen, Dave and Rita Cavin, Bloom Angus Farm, Bradshaw Boys, Steve and Betsy Mrozinski, Richey Show Steers, Lestinsky Auction Service, David Bagnall, Hales Masonary, Stanish Livestock, Kraft Auction, Mike and Ann Bromley and 1st Source Bank.
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