St. Joe 4-H Auction Raises over $526,000
Published: Friday, July 11, 2025
St. Joseph County (Ind.) 4-H livestock exhibitors earned $541,729.50 during the 4-H auction last Friday in South Bend. The total was higher compared to last year's effort of $526,145.95.
With 502 lots, this year's auction featured 36 more sale items compared to last year.
Two of the big winners were Kendall Smith of Bremen and Bridgette Futa of New Carlisle. Smith exhibited the 1,420-pound grand champion lottery steer, earning $10 per pound ($14,200) from a support group. Futa also received $10 per pound ($14,360) for her grand champion county born and bred steer, which weighed 1,436 pounds. A support group (see list) had the high bid.
Chase Mattison of Bremen sold the reserve champion lottery steer for $8 per pound ($9,896) to a buyer's group. The steer weighed 1,237 pounds.
Bremen's Ava Baker was next with the 1,438-pound reserve champion born and bred steer. A buyer's group paid $5 per pound ($7,190).
In dairy beef, Colby Alber of Madison Twp. earned $6.25 per pound ($9,687.50) from a support group for his 1,518-pound grand champion. Noah Culp, also of Madison Twp., received $6.50 per pound ($10,455) from a support group (see list) for his reserve champion.
Miah Lichtenbarger of North Liberty earned a purple ribbon with the grand champion rate-of-gain dairy steer. Clean Cut Cleaners purchased the 1,961-pounder for $2.10 per pound ($4,314.20).
Another North Liberty youth, Payton Bohnke, exhibited the grand champion market hog, which weighed 277 pounds. Payton received $18 per pound ($4,986) from a buyer group. Standing second in the swine sale was Mishawaka's Anika Litteral and her reserve champion hog. A support group paid $11.50 per pound ($3,335) for the 290-pounder.
The sheep auction was led by Isa Freehauf and her grand champion market lamb. The Lakeville youth sold the 148-pounder for $42 per pound ($6,216) to a support group (see list). Oliver Watts, also of Lakeville, auctioned off his 119-pound reserve champion market lamb for $19 per pound ($2,261) to a buyer's group (see list).
The top price for a lamb was $190 per pound for Lucas Bradshaw's champion Southdown (see related story). Bradshaw's lamb weighed 129 pounds and was purchased by a large support group.
In the milk sale, Breanne Freeman of Bremen received $1,500 for milk from her grand champion Holstein and another $850 for milk from her grand champion Jersey. Both lots were purchased by a support group.
Leah Birk of North Liberty sold milk from her grand champion Milking Shorthorn for $1,200 to a buyer's group.
Not selling were Heidi Naragon, who exhibited the grand champion Brown Swiss, and Chase Turner, who showed the reserve champion Holstein. Both youths are from Greene Twp.
In the goat sale, Stephen Knopp of Mishawaka sold a basket representing his grand champion milking doe for $1,500 to a buyer's group. Brody Minne of Wakarusa was next with the reserve champion meat goat. The high bid of $3,000 came from a support group.
Elizabeth Applegate of Mishawaka exhibited the grand champion meat goat, which did not sell. Lucas Wilson of South Bend exhibited the grand champion dairy market goat, which also did not sell. Wilson plans to show his goat at the Indiana State Fair next month.
In poultry, Koltyn and Maddison Dosmann of North Liberty swept the top two spots in the broiler show. Koltyn sold his grand champion for $2,640, while Maddison received $1,320 for the reserve. A support group purchased both birds.
Carter Fox of Bremen sold the grand champion broiler pair for $750 to Wakarusa Nutritional Services, Skiles Automotive, Nappanee Family Eye Care, Richmond Feed Service, Pleasant Ridge Farms, Laville Barber Supply, Tina Doss family, Jason Lidecker family, Zack Lusk family and the Jason Fischer family.
The reserve champion broilers were exhibited by Jonah Tomaw of South Bend. He received $120 from Lambert Custom Upholstery.
The grand champion single roaster was exhibited by Christopher Walls of Hamlet. He earned $300 from Northern Electric Co. Connor Jakubowicz of Mill Creek sold the reserve champion roaster for $1,000 to the Mason and Connor Support Group.
Joshua Sobieralski of Mishawaka auctioned off his grand champion roaster pair for $200 to Brian Dixon. Next was the reserve champion roaster pair shown by Kara Walls of North Liberty. Her pen sold for $300 to Northern Electric Co.
Makena Allen of Osceola sold two grand champions, the turkey and pair of turkeys. The single turkey brought $120 from the Knowlton family, and the pair of turkeys sold for $180 to Skiles Automotive.
Josiah Weiss of North Liberty exhibited the grand champion Pekin duck. It brought $150, courtesy of Allsop Apiaries. Sarah Tomaw of South Bend sold her reserve champion Pekin for $100 to Spring Valley Farms.
Noa Balyeat of Elkhart sold the grand champion Pekin pair for $130 to Alexandria Florey. The reserve champion pair belonging to Maddison Dosmann brought $1,320, courtesy of her support group.
Quintyn James of North Liberty sold a basket of egg products from his grand champion layer for $250 to Millwood Farms. Andrew Guard sold a basket of reserve champion eggs for $100 to Ryan Lizzi.
Weiss dominated the rabbit show, exhibiting the grand champion meat pen, fryer, roaster and stewer. He sold the meat pen for $155 to E.J. White of North Liberty, the fryer for $105 to Kristin Schalliol family, the roaster for $110 to Allsop Apiaries, and the stewer for $105 to Allsop Apiaries.
Other rabbit winners were: Caleb Tomaw, reserve champion fryer, $70 to Lambert Custom Upholstery; Weston Leeper, Bremen, reserve champion roaster, $250 to Leeper Land Management Inc.; and Kathryn Flora, South Bend, reserve champion stewer, $550 to the St. Joseph County Rabbit and Poultry Club.
Auction subtotals are: 42 beef steers, $194,832.40; 189 hogs, $127,354.80; 28 dairy steers, $104,432.80; 75 sheep, $70,204.50; 106 poultry pens, $21,225; 40 goats, $17,800; 3 milk lots, $3,550; and 19 rabbit pens, $2,330.
Support Groups
Bridgette Futa: GreenMark, David and Lisa Jesswein, Dale Jesswein, Jesswein Farms, Corey and Katie Jesswein family, Jordan and Erica Sherrill family, Seedpro Solutions-Matt Lubber, Kenny and Sandy Kleine, Kleine Farms, Grandpa and Grandma Houser, DziaDzia and Boodew (Paul and Kathy) Futa, Grammy (Janet) Futa, Grandma Annette Noell, Dad (Steve) and Nishiu Futa, Uncle Luke and Auntie Stephanie family, Uncle Keith and Aunt Marlene Werwas, Uncle Herman and Aunt Gale Brinkhoff, Uncle Rob and Aunt Jennifer family, Aaron and Erica Zell, Jeff Peterson-Pioneer Sales, D & M Propane LLC, Dennis and Nancy Dolph, JA Wagner Construction Inc., Kevin and Laura Paprocki, Bryan and Julie Mattison family, Presley and Harper Reed, Bohnke Concrete Designs, Doug and Mary Anne Millar, Haseley family, Drew and Catherine Dutoi family, the Hudsons, Ken, Mary and Jacob Davis, Eric Doms family, Rich and Janell Bickel, Watts family, Stan Michalski, Caroline Bickel, David and Rachel Dutoi, Andy and Lindsay Laidig family, Greg and Shawnie Sebasty family, the Besties, Mark Jasinski family, Brad and Kelley Bradshaw family, Nathaniel, Whitney, Nathan and Lydia, Bartz Boys, Matt and Rachel Lechlitner family, Isla Freehauf, G & K Concepts, Greg and Kim Kneubuhler family, Freckled Fox Farm-Andy Fox family, K-Fex Inc., Mike and Ann Bromley, Dane Clark family, Joe and Kristin Jasinski family, Eugene Bartoszewicz, Toni and Dena Shafer, Greg and Mary Sue Violette
Noah Culp: 1st Source Bank, AJ Roofing, Andy and Lindsay Laidig family, Badlands, Ball Auction, BiCounty Electric, Bryan and Julie Mattison family, Bryan Penrose and girls, Burnips, Calvin Johnson-State Farm Insurance, Clean Cut Cleaners, coach Derrick DeShone family, Darell and Andrea Gill family, DeSchepper Farm Supply, Doug and Julie Moore, downtown Bremen Hardware, Dr. Wanda Schmeltz, Dreyfus, Glen and Kathy James, Glen and Kelly Wisler family, Grandma and Grandpa Culp, Grandma Chelle and Grandpa Mike Moser, Grandma's Pantry, Grandpa Lester Moser, Jennings Insurance Agency, Jerry Reed, Josh and Abby Hill family, Justin and Heidi Reed family, Kent and Shelly Getz-The Auction Site, Keystone Ag, Koby and Whitley Moser family, Kortny and Emily Moser family, Kris and Leslie Moser family, Kris Snyder-Pioneer Sales, Lemler Oil, Lisa Yoder-State Farm Insurance, Mark and Lari Moser, Matt and Rachel Lechlitner family, Matty and Kaci Smith family, Michele Matheis Real Estate Broker-Cressy & Everett, Mike and Melissa Myers family, Mitch and Kayley Alber family, Olde District 5, POET North Manchester, Rochester Sale Barn, Rolands Processing, Ryan and Christin Lizzi, S&S Auto, Shelly Penrose and girls, Stan and Sydnee Hershberger, Steven Moser family, Sweazy Q, T-Mar Construction, Tom and Melissa Kavanagh family, Tom Lizzi and Kristen Ahlenius, Travis and Miranda Hershberger family, Ty, Colin and Maggie Park, Wakarusa Nutritional, Wilson Fertilizer & Grain, Woodies Supermarket, Wyatt Merchants, Wyckoff Seed, Yoder Oil
Isla Freehauf: A & R Trees and Stumps, A-1 Package Liquor, Aflac, Angela Smoker CPA, B & P Trucking, Bella's Outlet, Bettcher's Services, Betz Trucking, Bickle Heating and Cooling, Bradshaw family, Brian Biggers DVM, Bailey and Bridgette Futa, CRS Show Stock, Dan and Carol Willoughby, Davenport Precision Ag, Gentry Demolition, Geyer Farms, Grandma Kathy Freehauf, Hardly Able Construction/Clemons Backhoe Service, Haseley family, Hedington Trucking, Hensley's Trucking Inc., Hoosier Siding & Windows, Indiana Cornhusking Assn. Inc, Integrity Builders, Jacob Hogan-Broker and Advisor/Geswein Farm and Land Realty LLC, Just In Time Plumbing and Heating, Justin and Gwen Rentz, Lincolnway Auto Body, Paula and Tim Wilson, Prancing Ponies, Ramco Engineering Inc., Scarborough Farms, Schroeder Grazing Co., Shireman Veterinary Services, Shireman Show Stock, Skip and Jeanie Yoder, Szczypiorski Farms, The Garage Auto Repair, Trail Services, Walker Precision Ag, WalkerHughes Insurance, Weaver and Sons Trucking, Wiley Greene's Famous Tacos
Oliver Watts: Michel Sheep Farm, HBC Showpigs/Gill family, Kanes Auto Service, Braxton and Codi Jones family, Silent Partners R Us, Dustin and Ashley Boehnke family, Ryan and Laura Watts family, Austin, Emily and Addison Manges, Berger family, Amor family, Kirby Watts, Matthew and Melissa Florian family, Watts Family Farm, Leeper Trucking, Bryan and Julie Mattison family, Denise Fagerman, Andy and Lindsay Laidig family, Lissa Newton, Jim and Teresa Tillman, Geyer Farms, Indiana Corn Husking Assn., Randy and Thelma Reed, Bickel Heating and Cooling, Trailer Source LLC, Toni and Dena Shafer
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