Buyers open wallets for animal sale

 

ROME TOWNSHIP — It was only Willow Maynard’s first year showing an animal at the Lawrence County Fair and already her awards are stacked high.

The 9-year-old Barnbusters 4-H member stood center ring for the start of the large animal sale Saturday morning, auctioning off both the grand and reserve champion lamb.

The grand champion brought in a whopping $11 per pound, while the reserve lamb brought in $6 per pound.

The total earned for Maynard was more than $2,200.

“I don’t really know,” Maynard said of what she would spend the money on. “But I plan to buy a Go-Cart.”

The girl also said she would be back next year to show more lambs and had some advice for other newcomers.

“It’s pretty hard work, but don’t give up,” she said.

Winning bidders for the grand champion lamb were Lawrence County Commissioner Freddie Hayes, Shawn and Deanna Holliday, Bret Guy, Randy Lambert, Larry Kirkpatrick and family, and Mike Patterson and family.

Bob Clyse Buick Chevrolet Buick GMC won the bid for the reserve lamb.

Up next on the auction block were the goats.

There were 70 goats in total but Daniel Mootz, 10, and Lauren Wells, 9, got first crack at the bidders with their grand and reserve champion animals, respectively.

Mootz’s goat went for $12 per pound, bringing his total to $1,056.

“It was my first year so I had no idea what I was doing,” the Starlite 4-Her said of the auction.

He said he wants to use some of the money to buy a new TV for his room.

Wells, an Arabia All Stars member, got $9.50 per pound for her goat, earning her $817.

Wells also said she was nervous during the auction.

“I was like, no one is going to bid on me,” she said.

Wells said she would save her money for another goat for next year’s fair.

Winning bidder for the grand champion goat were Mike Finley, Freddie Hayes, Shawn and Deanna Holliday, Guy’s Floor Covering, Jim Howard and Sons Body Shop, Randy Lambert, Mended Reeds, Larry Kirkpatrick, and Mike Patterson.

The reserve goat went to Bob Clyse Buick Chevrolet Buick GMC.

More than 100 hogs entered the livestock arena for auction and Hunter Humphreys, 13, had the spotlight with his grand champion swine. Kara Saunders, 12, had the reserve hog.

Humphreys’ hog went for $14 per pound — a $3,886 price tag.

Saunders’ hogs brought in $12 per pound, earning her $2,880

Both members of the Starlite 4-H club, they said they looked to save up their money for college.

Winning bidders for the grand champion hog were Freddie Hayes, Shawn and Deanna Holliday, Brigham Anderson, Mike Finley, Marcum Pump and Equipment, Arrick’s Propane, Les Boggs, Guy’s Floor Covering, Jim Howard and Sons Body Shop, Randy Lambert, Citizens Deposit Bank, Spice of Life Catering and Events, Larry Kirkpatrick, Mike Patterson, Stephen Dale Burcham, Gold Street Muffler, and Coal Grove Giovanni’s.

The reserve hog was purchased by Bob Clyse Buick Chevrolet Buick GMC.

Last on the auction block were the largest animals shown at the fair — steers.

Noah Lambert, 13, was first with his grand champion animal. The more than 1,200-pound beast brought in $3.75 per pound, earning Lambert $4,811 to save back for his college fund.

Lambert, a Starlite member, said he had a great fair experience this year despite all the hard work.

“It’s a lot of responsibility and it helps people grow,” he said.

He also said he would like to thank all the buyers of his steer.

Next came Jonathan Kouns, 17, with the reserve steer, which brought in $2.60 per pound — a $3,296 price tag.

The Symmes Valley FFA member said earlier in the week that he wanted to save his earnings for next year’s fair expenses.

Winning bidder for the grand champion steer were Freddie Hayes, Shawn and Deanna Holliday, Bret Guy, Mike Finley, Rax, Citizens Deposit Bank, Mike Patterson, and Randy Lambert.

Bob Clyse Buick Chevrolet Buick GMC purchased the reserve steer.

For results of the small animal auction, see Monday’s edition of The Tribune.