The hustle and bustle of animals and people filled the Warren K. Brown Show Arena as volunteer auctioneers, ring assistants, and other volunteers helped make the 2012 Chautauqua County 4-H Market Animal Sale a huge success. Six goats, 65 hogs, 25 steers, 30 sheep and a new species in the auction this year - chickens - paraded through the sale ring.
4-H youth have been working diligently to provide high quality animals by raising and caring for their livestock. 4-H Market Animals receive only the highest quality feed, care and conditioning. Friday's sale attendance was at an all time high with an estimated 450 bidders present. Volunteer auctioneers Vic Richardson, Ron Reed, Ben Gauger, Mark Peterson, Mike Peterson, Dick Shaver, Don Yahn, Dale Eckman and Stan Dybka kept the crowd engaged and entertained as more than $148,000 in prime livestock was auctioned.
At the beginning of this event, a statement was presented emphasizing the serious need for 4-H fund raising needs for the next 4-H year. Due to this past year's efforts, 4-H members and families continued to build good character, teach invaluable life skills and be a source for strength and development for hundreds of youth involved in Chautauqua County 4-H. A letter from family members of the Canadaway 4-H Club that was formed in 1937 by Henrietta Lesch was received. In honor of her and all the past, present, and future Canadaway members and leaders, the David and Irene Lesch Family made a $5,000 donation as a mustard seed of faith that funding will be provided and they hope we will all be here together on the last Friday of July again next year, and for many years to come.
Article Photos
Submitted Photo
Jamestown Harley Davidson buys a hog from Kayla Nefedov.
Hogs started the auction with Grand Champion Michael Kibbe, who sold his hog for $12 a pound to Miller Printing, Quad M Farms and Showtime Sires. The average hog for the day sold for $2.97 a pound. Nine animals were donated back to 4-H to be used for the 2013 4-H budget.
Robert Clutter's Grand Champion goat was purchased by Busti Lime Service for $7.50 a pound. Robert's Champion Goat was the top selling goat of the day. Friday's goats sold for an average of $5.07 a pound. One goat was donated back to the 4-H Goat Project.
A new feature this year was the addition of the Poultry Meat Birds being included in this market sale. Members of the 4-H Poultry Project have been developing this project for several years, and were able to fully participate in this year's auction. Sold in lots of two Cornish Rocks, and to everyone's amazement, the Champion Meat Birds raised by Rachel Harper sold for $775 to Doug and Sue Harper. The average for each lot was $275.
The Grand Champion Steer raised by Patrick Kibbe, was purchased by House of Television for $3.50 a pound. Patrick's Steer was the top selling steer of the day. The average steer sold for $1.84 a pound.
Lambs concluded the auction with Kayla Schauman's Grand Champion Lamb selling first to Chautauqua Patrons at a rate of $18 a pound, and was the highest selling lamb of the day. Lambs averaged $3.90 per pound. Chautauqua Patrons also donated this lamb back to re-sell for the benefit of 4-H programs, in addition to 7 other lambs.
A special thank you to all our supporters who purchased an animal at this year's 4-H Market Animal Sale. Thank you to everyone who place bids and a special thank you to whose who donated back or purchased multiple animals. Honorable Mention to Rammelt Farms, Forbes Family, Cross Comfort, Cows Come First, Southern Tier Trailer, Lamb and Webster, Farm Family Insurance, Walt and Nancy Klyczek, Community Bank, Pioneer Seed, Busti Lime Service, Chautauqua Patrons Insurance, Decker Oil, Kevin Lesch, Glenn and Eleanor Styers, Stow Self Storage and Beck Insurance.
Thanks to all buyers and contributors to the Chautauqua County 4-H program - past, present and future!
