Williams, Young Crush Records in DeKalb
Published: Friday, October 17, 2025
DeKalb County 4-H livestock exhibitors earned premiums of $409,912.11 during the 4-H auction on Sept. 26 in Auburn. With 276 lots, the 2025 auction set a record and eclipsed last year's mark of $316,847.
Leading the way were two record-setting sales. The first was the grand champion beef steer exhibited by Reese Williams of Laotto. Buyers offered a record premium of $15,000 for the 1,432-pound Chianina. The buyers of Williams' beef steer were friends and family of Reese Williams, Squier Pallets and Dal's Big Hands Big Heart Foundation.
The second record was for the grand champion barrow exhibited by Ethan Young of Waterloo. Young earned a record premium of $12,000 from Squier Pallets for his 286-pound crossbred. He was also the premier swine showman.
The reserve champion beef steer, a 1,286-pound crossbred exhibited by Emerson Rhoades of Avilla, was auctioned for $3,000, courtesy of friends and family.
The reserve champion barrow fetched a premium of $1,100 for Brigham Yarde of Garrett. His barrow weighed 281 pounds. Squier Pallets was the winning bidder.
In the dairy auction, Addysen Brand of Waterloo sold the premium on her grand champion dairy cow for $5,000 to Squier Pallets and Dal's Big Hands Big Heart. Brand exhibited the champion Holstein, Milking Shorthorn and junior Ayrshire.
Addysen's brother, Jaxen, exhibited the reserve champion dairy cow. He sold a premium for $800 to Milan Center Feed and Grain. In addition to showing the champion Ayrshire, Guernsey and junior Holstein, he was this year's premier dairy showman.
In the dairy beef sale, Graden Pepple of Corunna collected a $5,500 premium on his 649-pound grand champion dairy feeder steer. Squier Pallets was the buyer. Pepple was also the premier dairy feeder showman.
Brennon McCartney of Avilla showed the reserve champion dairy cross feeder steer. The high bid of $2,300 came from friends and family.
Not selling was the grand champion dairy cross steer shown by Luke Berryhill of Ashley.
Brock McCartney of Avilla exhibited the reserve champion dairy cross steer, which weighed 1,354 pounds. The steer fetched $2,925 and was purchased by friends and family.
In sheep, Pearl Slentz of Butler partnered with friends and family on the sale of her grand champion market lamb. The price was $3,300.
The reserve champion market lamb was exhibited by Reed Ford of Pleasant Lake but did not sell.
In goats, the Handshoe siblings of Auburn swept the top two spots in the dairy wether show. Taylor exhibited the grand champion and received a $1,250 premium from friends and family, while her brother, Blake, brought the reserve champion and earned $1,250 from friends and family.
Emmerie Shoudel of Kendallville sold the premium on her reserve champion meat goat for $1,500 to Squier Pallets.
The grand champion meat goat was exhibited by Kiersten Haynes of Butler but did not sell.
In poultry, Deacon Fedorow of Angola received $400 from Fairfield Twp. buyers for his grand champion roasters. Bethany Hyde of Spencerville sold the premium on eggs from her grand champion commercial hen for $350 to Jackson-Union Twp. buyers.
With the grand champion heavy goose, Mackena Hall of Waterloo earned $800 from Steel Dynamics.
Remington Keener of Saint Joe led off the rabbit sale with her grand champion roaster. Buyers representing Concord, Spencer and Newville townships paid $350 for the premium. Next was Brenson Weller of Garrett and his reserve champion roaster. He received $300 from Garrett State Bank.
The grand champion stewer was exhibited by Isaiah Dilts of Butler. Friends and family paid a premium of $1,700.
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