Receipts from the Calhoun County livestock auction, held Aug. 20 and 21 in Marshall, totaled $444,794.94 on 385 lots. That compares with $537,510.78 on 403 lots in 2014.
One of the highlights was the sale of Morgan Wildt's supreme champion hog, which was also the grand champion gilt. Wildt, of Homer, earned $35 per pound ($9,870) from 25 buyers. She also exhibited the grand champion barrow, selling it for $4.50 per pound ($1,201.50) to Miracle Equestrian and Finish Supply Management.
Hunter Nevins of Marshall sold the reserve champion barrow for $2 per pound ($534) to Clemens Food Group. Sara Horton, also of Marshall, received $2.25 per pound ($533.25) from Wildt's Farm and Beck's Seeds for the reserve champion gilt.
Sara's reserve champion gilt was also part of the reserve champion pen of hogs. She sold the other half of the pen for $2.25 per pound ($567) to Chemical Bank.
Mackenzee Morris of Tekonsha earned an impressive $21.50 per pound ($6,020) from 26 buyers for one half of the grand champion pen of hogs. She sold the other hog for $2.50 per pound ($720) to Marshall Feed and Grain.
In beef, Alexis Laskovec of Tekonsha sold his grand champion steer for $7.50 per pound ($9,825) to Bill's Steakhouse and Grillhouse. With the reserve champion steer, Courtney Heisler of Springport picked up $3.50 per pound ($4,357.50) from Elder Creek Sign Design.
Brittzen Heisler of Bellevue led the way in the sheep sale, earning $15 per pound ($2,130) from 17 buyers. In the reserve champion slot was Madison Groholski of Burlington, who earned $15 per pound ($2,115) from 23 buyers.
Katie Wood of Union City was next with the grand champion pen of lambs. She received $2 per pound ($262, $282) for both lambs from Jerome Country Market. Braden Banfield of Marshall sold the reserve champion pen of lambs, earning $10.50 per pound for both lambs. Dick and Bea Walters paid $1,533 for the first lamb, and eight buyers paid $1,648.50 for the second lamb.
Kassandra Hoover of Tekonsha sold the grand champion dairy starter calf for $1,500 to Southern Michigan Bank and Trust. Tegan Roberts of Marshall received $1,300 for the reserve champion calf from the Howard and Kathleen Johnson family.
In goats, Sydney Klingaman of Homer earned $2,000 from the sale of her grand champion market wether. The buyer was Boshears Ford Sales, Perfection Commercial Services, Michigan Kitchen Distributors , Homer Controls, Phelps Farms, Seven Deuce, and Ken and Peggy Butler.
Elizabeth Schreur of Tekonsha sold the grand champion dairy wether for $500 to Shirland Redfield. Wyatt Crow of Marshall sold the reserve champion dairy wether for $1,900 to 10 buyers.
Gabriello Mellino of Olivet held the grand champion rabbit pen and status to
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earned $150 from Ange Lawn Care. Sasha Rogers of Ceresco sold the reserve champion pen for $450 to Oerther's.
Makayla Myles of Olivet received $100 from Weaver's Soft Serve for the grand champion fryer.
Kaleb Green of Burlington sold the grand champion roaster for $100 to 12 buyers.
In poultry, Carson Chambers of Albion led the way by selling his grand champion tom turkey for $400 to Amanda Shreve and Erin Segar. The reserve champion tom, shown by Shannon Stemaly of Homer, brought $800 from Hemmingsen's Drug Store.
Sydney Kadlub of Ceresco sold the grand champion roasters for $500 to Battle Creek Farm Bureau. Jaceb Waterman, also of Ceresco, received $300 from Ben and Brenda Waterman for the reserve champion roasters.
The high bid on the grand champion duck, shown by Kenda Laupp of Marshall, was $100. The buyer was Crystal Flash.
Emma Ruedisueli of Marshall earned $450 from the sale of the grand champion broilers, courtesy of Sandy Woods of State Farm Insurance. Savanna Surber, also of Marshall, sold the reserve champion broilers for $350 to Walters-Dimmick Petroleum.
In Cornish hens, grand champion exhibitor Casey Dexter of Albion collected $300 from Ange Lawn Care. Eric Settineri of Marshall sold the reserve champion hens for $300 to Black Cat Pumpkins.
Subtotals, by species, include: beef, $153,007.95; swine, $148,577.57; dairy starter calves, $69,271.10; sheep, $37,673.32; goats, $20,610; poultry, $11,550; and rabbits, $4,105.