Large animal sale nets big bucks

 

ROME TOWNSHIP — As the bidding paddles were raised some 4-Hers shared smiles while others shed tears in a final goodbye to the animals they raised from babies at Saturday’s large animal sale.

Up first on the auction block was Angel Lewis’ grand champion winning hog. Weighing in at 267 pounds, the hog was sold for $7.50 per pound — a $2,070 price tag.

While Lewis said she was happy with the bidding, she also felt sad to see her hogs go to market. She had two hogs at the fair this year.

“I don’t want to give them away,” she said.

Winning the bid for the grand champion hog were Producers of Gallipolis and Feed Stop.

Kara Saunders, who auctioned off her reserve champion hog, was also happy with her bids. Her 272-pound hog earned $7 per pound — a total of $1,904.

Overall, Saunders was pleased with her performance this year.

“It’s been really good,” she said. “I’ve accomplished a lot of things I wanted to. I’ve had a really good year.”

Bidders were Freddie Hayes Jr., Brett Guy, Glockner South Point Ford, Les Boggs, Randall Lambert, State Rep. Ryan Smith, Citizens Deposit Bank and Larry Kirkpatrick and family.

Kaylee Cade started off the steer bidding with her grand champion animal. Bidders gave $3 per pound for her 1,232-pound animal — a total of $3,696.

I’m sad that he’s going to be gone,” Cade said of her steer. “I’m going to miss him, but I’m glad I get to start a new year of 4-H.”

Bidders were Glocker South Point Ford, Worley Machine Shop, Guy’s Floor Covering, Freddie Hayes Jr., Citizens Deposit Bank, Rax and Bill Pratt.

Karsyn Ball also got $3 per pound for her reserve champion steer for a total of $4,008.

“I was hoping for $3 or $4 a pound,” Ball said.

Ball showed steers two years ago but showed goats last year. This year she decided to give steers another shot.

“They are so much smarter,” she said.

Bidder for the reserve steer was Nelson’s Processing.

In the market lamb auction, Luke Leith earned $18 per pound for his 109-pound animal — a total of $1,962.

Leith said he was happy with his earnings and said his favorite part of the fair this year was “showing and winning grand champion.”

Winning bidders were Bob Clyse Chevrolet Buick GMC and Tri-State Rehab.

Parker Rowe auctioned off his reserve champion lamb for $10 per pound. That earned him $1,260 for his 126-pound animal.

“It was a great experience,” Rowe said. “It’s always a great time up here.”

Winning bidders were Glockner South Point Ford, Citizens Deposit Bank, Rax, Freddie Hayes Jr., and Guy’s Floor Covering.

Haley Pancake also said winning grand champion for her goat was the highlight of her year at the fair.

She brought in $12.75 per pound for her 89-pound animal — a total of $1,134.75.

Like many other 4-Her’s, Pancake said she planned to save her money for college.

Winning bidders were Bob Clyse Chevrolet Buick GMC and Tri-State Rehab.

Dylan Back raised $13.50 per pound for his 92-pound reserve champion goat — a total of $1,242.

“ I want to thank everybody for coming out and supporting 4-H,” Back said. “Especially the ones who bought my goat.”

Back said he had a good time at the fair this year and he understands the importance of not getting too attached to his fair project.

“I try not to,” he said. “I know they are for meat production.”

Winning bidders were Shawn and DeAnna Holliday, Doug Malone, Stephen Dale Burcham and Mark McCown.

Also auctioned off was a quilt made by the Campground Quilters. The quilt was auctioned off four times, as the winning bidders re-donated it back to auction.

The quilt brought in $2,140, which will go towards the fair barn fund.

The fair board also honored longtime auctioneer Lee Johnson with a plaque for his more than four decades of service to the Lawrence County Fair.