The 2016 Branch County Fair provided a nice bookend experience for Matt AcMoody of Coldwater. In his final year of 4-H, AcMoody equaled his success from 11 years ago when, as a rookie exhibitor in the Branch Buds program, he captured the top prize in the swine show.
During last Friday's large animal auction in Coldwater, he entered the ring for the last time and, once again, he was driving the grand champion market hog, which weighed 263 pounds.
He earned a bid of $1,650 ($6.27 per pound) from a support group that included Hahn Genetics, Arby's/Ed Kotas, Mark Harwell Trucking, Zeta One, Jans GPS Soil Sampling, Andy and Shelly AcMoody, Fischer Vet Clinic, Union Pallet and Container, and Curt Albright Farms.
This fall, Matt will enter the final year of a two-year program at Michigan State University, where he is studying crop and soil science and agribusiness management. Someday, he hopes to own his own commercial greenhouse.
Receipts from last Friday's large animal auction totaled $256,658.68. Combined with last Thursday's small animal auction, the preliminary total from the two-day livestock auction was $370,516.61. That's down almost $24,000 from the 2015 total of $394,425.
The reserve champion market hog was exhibited by Cailin Hines of Quincy. She sold her 286-pound hog for $1,400 ($4.89 per pound) to Bob and Treva Hines, Keith Berry Farms, Edward Jones/Jay Wright, Wildt Farms/Beck's Seeds, Ben and Lindsay Vainner, Fischer Vet Clinic, Schrader family and Schrader Livestock.
In beef, Tyler Neukom of Hillsdale sold the 1,368-pound grand champion steer for $5,000 ($3.65 per pound) to Greenstone Farm Credit Services. The reserve champion steer, weighing 1,270 pounds and owned by Aaron Howe of Athens, brought $6,000 ($4.72 per pound). Buyers included Steve Wallen of LTW Apparell, AcMoody Farms, Mast Agriculture Co., Hoath Auto, Deana Jak Farms, Larry and Cherie Yoder, Pine Ridge Farm Services and North Central Co-op.
Noah Winans of Tekonsha led the grand champion dairy beef animal. He earned $4,200 ($3.29 per pound) from DH Roberts Construction and Bigby Coffee. The steer weighed 1,275 pounds.
Allison Shilling of Reading sold the reserve champion dairy steer for $2,700 ($1.81 per pound). Her support group included John Shilling, CPS of Blissfield and Reading, Litchfield Grain, Shipshewana Livestock Auction, Randy and Teresa Kunkel, Farmer's Cabinet Shop, Ted Goshorn, Shilling Farms, Davis Farms and The Andersons. Allison's steer weighed 1,489 pounds.
In sheep, Payton Hines of Quincy sold the 140-pound grand champion market lamb for $1,600 ($11.43 per pound). Buyers included Bob and Treva Hines, Keith Berry Farms, Edward Jones/Jay Wright, Wildt Farms/Beck's Seeds, Ben and Lindsay Vainner, AcMoody Farms, Schrader family and Schrader Livestock.
Reserve champion sheep exhibitor Jacob Reif of Allen sold his 134-pound lamb for $600 ($4.48 per pound) to Crystal Flash Energy.
In the goat auction, Brooke Washburn of Bronson led the way with her grand champion meat-type goat. Bronson Veterinary Services supported her to the tune of $1,200. Hanna Pish of Montgomery was next with the reserve champion meat goat. It also sold for $1,200 to Sugarbush Cattle Inc., Schrader family, Schrader Livestock, Michael Sickels, Pish Meat Goats, Shipshewana Livestock Auction, Gene and Marianne Sickels, Hawley Enterprises and NG Michaels Construction.
In dairy wethers, Chase Gibson of Coldwater exhibited the grand champion and earned $375 from PNC Bank of Coldwater. Reserve champion exhibitor Carleigh Crouch of Tekonsha sold her dairy wether for $500 to Crouch Electric.
All 4-H dairy exhibitors raised over $13,000 in donations for the Branch County Dairy Organization. The grand champion dairy exhibitors include: Mariah Jansen, Ayrshire; Zoe Aseltine, Holstein; Nathan Marsh, Guernsey and Brown Swiss; Darby Maynard, any other breed; and Abigail Lehman, Jersey.
Subtotals for the large animal sale are as follows: beef, $122,789.38; swine, $65,464.54; sheep, $27,331.52; goats, $27,298.24; and milk donations, $13,775.
In the small animal auction, brothers Ryan and Zack Murphy of Coldwater each earned impressive prices for their prize-winning dairy starter calves. Ryan sold the grand champion for $3,000 and Zack's reserve champion fetched $2,750. The same buyers were involved in the purchase of both animals. They included The Andersons' Litchfield Farm Center, Big Rock Amusements, Century Bank and Trust, Shipshewana Livestock Auction, Litchfield Grain, Family Farm and Home, Tracy Neely/Farm Bureau Insurance, The Andersons of Albion, Bates Tractor, Brad's Concessions, Haylett Auto and RV, Bronson Veterinary Service and Murphy Farms.
Makenzie Blatter of Reading paced the rabbit sale, earning $275 from Bronson Rotary for her grand champion roaster. Emmajean Ulrich sold the reserve champion roaster for $175 to Matt and Jennifer Milligan.
Cassie White sold the grand champion single fryer for $200 to Sugarbush, and Madelyn Woolf sold the reserve champion fryer for $150 to Orland Community Elevator.
Ethan Gleeson, owner of the grand champion fryer pen, sold his birds to Family Farm and Home. Riley Smith earned $250 for the reserve champion fryer pen. The buyers were Harper and Brody Herman.
Gracelynn Shortridge received $200 from Jerry and Darlene Morgan for the grand champion stewer rabbit. Jared Jackson sold the reserve champion stewer for $100 to Richards Motor Sales RV Center.
In poultry, James Tanner sold his grand champion broiler chickens for $200 to Tanner Music Studio. Gabrielle Williams sold the reserve champion broilers for $200 to The Ponds.
The grand champion roaster chickens were shown by Zack Murphy, who received $400 from Murphy Farms. Zachary Horter earned $325, courtesy of Family Farm and Home, from the sale of his reserve champion roasters.
Christion Clark sold his grand champion Cornish chickens for $300 to Shimp Excavating, Maddox Industries and Lone Creek Controls. The reserve champion Cornish chickens were sold by Dale Disbro, who picked up $150 from Lane Veterinary Services.
In geese, Keiayr Modert sold the grand champion pen for $200 to Lane Veterinary Services. Her sister, Asya, sold the reserve champion pen for $150 to Boersen Ag Partners.
Mallorie Brenneman earned $250 for her grand champion ducks, courtesy of Dove Ag Services. Madison Wineland sold the reserve champion ducks for $150 to Fischer Vet Clinic.
Small animal exhibitors earned $113,857.93. Subtotals are as follows: starter calves, $87,983.73; poultry, $16,592.70; and rabbits, $9,281.50.