4-H Fair livestock auction brings in record $230,000

Erin Thomas guided her own hog to auction and later helped out by leading out the swine of her friend Kaylyn Hankins, who missed the event due to a health issue.

The 2012 Livestock Auction Friday night set a Putnam County 4-H Fair record with more the $230,000 in earnings.

The biggest buyer was Co-Alliance, followed by First National Bank, Eric and Shirley Hayman and North Salem State Bank.

The $230,070.91 earned surpassed the 2011 total of $220,071.

There were 50 total buyers, including 12 brand new buyers from last year.

The grand champion steer, a traditional strong earner, didn't disappoint. Raegan Bowling's Maine Anjou earned $2,421.46 and was bought by First Financial, Co-Alliance and Cox Trucking.

A total of 325 animals were sold at the auction.

Swine led with 127 sold and other livestock included dairy cows, beef cows, sheep, goats, chickens and rabbits.

The grand champion swine, raised by Jaxon Parmley, sold for $1,106 to Ottawa Instant Home.

Mason Asher's grand champion goat sold for $922 to Co-Alliance, TriCounty Bank, Heritage Environmental, Casey's General Store in Roachdale and Steve Crosby.

Heritage Environmental also purchased the grand champion dairy cow, raised by Jesse Owens, for 1,567.81.

Corban Judy, who raised the reserve grand champion sheep, sold her animal to Co-Alliance for $330.50.

There was one item up for auction that wasn't a livestock animal. A special plaque recognizing all of the past supreme showmanship champions now hangs in the fairgrounds indoor arena.

Collisi Trucking purchased the final donor square on the plaque for $1,350.

Logan Pell, last year's supreme showman, auctioned off a hog during the event. He was severely injured in an automobile accident this April.

The majority of auction bid winners donate their new livestock to the market, where they are then resold. Only a few chose to keep their animals.