Buyers busy at fair’s auction
SMITHFIELD — There were differences yet similarities in the Jefferson County Junior Fair livestock auction.
At 243, market hogs were down in number this year, compared to 266 in 2015, but the price for the grand champion was higher at $10 per pound, compared to $8.50 last year. The buyer both years, meanwhile, was the same — Ken Perkins of Tri-State Financial Services. And the winner was kept in the Randolph family as Hannah Randolph of Wildwood Critters raised the grand champion this year, an honor her brother, Matthew, junior fair king, had last year.
The grand champion market steer price was down from $6 to $5.25 per pound; champion market pen of three rabbits was down from $600 in 2015 to $500 this year; and market goats were down from $625 to $400. Wayne Kolb, Carrollton Auction owner and auctioneer for the poultry, said the turkey price of $800 was a record for the county auction. There was no price from last year, as poultry was excluded from sales then.
Market sheep were up in numbers to 30 from 21 in 2015, but the price remained relatively the same. Market goats numbered 27 this year and 28 last year, and 4-H and FFA members raising market steers numbered only 13 this year, compared to 16 last year.
Kacie Vandeborne, Free Spirits, had the reserve champion market hog weighing 274 pounds. The buyer was Lisa Ferguson and purchased by Ty Beagle at $6 per pound.
Tiny Shelby Robinson, Wildwood Critters, raised the 1,310-pound grand champion market steer, with Ed and Shelby Vahalik of Curry Drilling the buyers at $5.25 per pound. Matthew Randolph, Wildwood Critters, had the 1,318-pound reserve champion and county best bred and grand champion last year. The purchase was made by Team Automotive at $4 per pound. Sara Vein, Wildwood Critters, had the county best bred steer weighing 1,364 pounds, with the buyer being Howard Bowers at $2.50 per pound.
Shane Griffith, Windy Ridge, had the 128-pound dairy feeder steer grand champion calf purchased by D&J Sales buyer at $4.25 per pound. Colby Smith, Purple Circle, had the 144-pound reserve champion with Water Transport paying $2.25 per pound.
Paxton Shields, Backwoods Gang, had the 139-pound grand champion market sheep with Felice DiPietraneois the buyer at $11 per pound. Auctioneer Harry Grafton was trying to break the record of $15.50 from years past. Hayden Johnson, Dusty Boots Livestock, had the 133-pound reserve champion, with Dr. David Brown of Wintersville Veterinary Hospital that buyer at $6 per pound.
Lindsey Breon, Purple Circle, had the grand champion market goat for the second year. Buyer of the 168-pound goat was Brown at $375. Brock Pendleton, Dusty Boots, had the 90-pound reserve champion, KJP, with Kelly and John Prikipkis the buyers at $300.
In her last year of 4-H, Allison Lamantia, Country Classics, received $650 for her grand champion pen of three meat chickens from Greg Metcalf. Ava Watkins, Ridge Hoppers, had the reserve champion pen of three chickens, George Williamson of Professional Tire the buyer at $400.
Nicolas Molinaro had the grand champion 50-pound turkey that was purchased by the Lamont McCoy family at $800, was determined to be a record. His twin, Anthony, both of Country Classics, had the reserve champion turkey that sold for $500 to Henry Carter of Echo Valley Farms.
Ducks have become popular as there were 20 entered. Mary McConnell, 43 Ramblers, had the grand champion pen of two ducks selling for $400 to Kuester Implement, with Tyler Ramsey the buyer. Kyrsten Mazzaferro, Lucky Leaf Livestock, had the reserve champions, purchased by Ron and Carol Mazzaferro at $200.
Last on the sale bill was the pen of three market rabbits, with Suzanne McConnell promising to make a rabbit casserole from some of the rabbits for the grand prize winner. Pressly Meadows, Broken Fences, was the grand champion with Professional Tire paying $500. Owen Long, who was grand champion in 2015, Lassos & Lace 4-H, had the reserve champions, with Dairy Queen of Rayland the buyer at $250.
Carol Ramsey was buyer of the “Old Friends” Dave Barnhouse print at $450, which will go toward junior fair needs. Vickie Whinnery is the junior fair coodinator.
(McCoy can be contacted at emccoy@heraldstaronline.com.)
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