The LaPorte County Fair livestock auction took place last Friday where 4-H'ers sold 638 lots of animals raising $403,521.12. Last year's auction earned $407,010.67 on 601 lots.
Leading the way in the steer sale was Jacob Herma with his 1,300-pound steer selling for $3,750 ($2.88 per pound) to a support group (see list at end of story). The reserve was exhibited by Sarah Smoker and did not sell.
The grand champion dairy steer was exhibited by Melissa Rudolph, and did not sell. The reserve dairy steer was shown by Katelyn Rudolph, which also did not sell.
A total of 84 steers went through the auction ring adding up to $167,325.
In the swine auction, 267 lots were sold for a total of $123,574.92.
The reserve grand barrow led the way in the swine sale and was exhibited by Colton Rosenbaum. He sold his 261-pound barrow for $3,100 ($11.87 per pound) to Cary Rosenbaum Seed Supply. The grand champion barrow was exhibited by James Mitzner and is state fair-bound.
Gavin Garrett sold the grand champion ultrasound gilt for $800 to Brad Rocke of Agri-Management Solutions. The reserve ultrasound gilt did not sell. The grand champion ultrasound barrow was sold by Audrey Jeffers for $800 and was purchased by LaPorte Hospital. Audrey Jeffers also sold the reserve ultrasound barrow for $750 to Ron Brissette of Interstate Rentals.
The grand champion market lamb was exhibited by Morgan Lestinsky but did not sell. Lestinsky will exhibit the lamb at the state fair in August. The 129-pound reserve market lamb was sold by Janelle Mitzner for a record-breaking price of $5,250 ($40.69 per pound) to Glenn Schlundt of Schlundt Ag Supply and Brodbeck Seed and Glenn and Darlene Schlundt family.
Jacob Wood sold the grand and reserve grand lamb carcass. The grand sold for $900 to the Wood family and the reserve sold for $600 to Catherine Langford of 1st Source Bank.
Ninety-four head of sheep sold through the auction adding $47,836.20 to the total.
In the goat auction, Ella Minich sold the grand champion goat milk for $600 to Brian Pressel of the LaPorte County Goat Buyers. Barbara Stanish sold the grand champion specialty wether for $1,500 to a support group (see list).
The grand champion pygmy goat wether was sold by Shane Edgell for $1,250 to the Friends and Family of Shane Edgell support group. Cody Weller sold his reserve pygmy wether for $375 to Jim Lestinsky Auction Service. The reserve goat milk and specialty wether did not sell.
In all, 37 goats were sold for $15,850.
During the dairy milk auction, a total of nine lots were sold for $15,150. Leading the way was the supreme champion and grand champion Holstein cow milk sold by Isabella Hurtado. She sold her cow's milk for a record-breaking price of $6,000 to a large support group (see list). She also sold the grand champion Guernsey milk for $1,700 to Amigos Foods.
The grand champion Ayrshire milk was sold by Christina Hurtado for $1,050 to a support group (see list). Emma Buckley sold her grand champion Brown Swiss milk for $1,000 to RDDM Seed Service/Beck's Hybrid.
The grand champion Jersey milk was sold by Jaden Horvath for $250 to the Supporters of Jaden Horvath group. She also sold dairy products from the supreme heifer for $500 to the Supporters of Jaden Horvath group. The reserve Jersey milk was sold by Jaden Conrad for $2,100 to the Friends of Jaden Conrad and Beacon Credit Union.
Blake Kessler sold milk from the grand champion Milking Shorthorn for $400 to Catherine Langford of 1st Source Bank. Gabe Nowatzke sold milk from the reserve champion Milking Shorthorn for a record-breaking price of $2,200 to the Family and Friends of Gabe Nowatzke group.
In the poultry auction, Spencer Phillips sold the grand champion carcass for $100 to Catherine Langford of 1st Source Bank. The reserve was sold by Morgan Phillips for $100 to Dave Sutton of Gleaner Life Insurance Society.
The grand champion commercial poultry was sold by Georgia Pumroy for $200 to Heinold and Feller-Firestone. Joseph Pumroy sold his reserve commercial poultry for $200 to Richard and Linda Pardue.
Kimberly Crawford sold the grand champion turkey for $225 to Ron Rosenbaum of General Insurance Services. The reserve was sold by Logan Crawford for $175 to Andrew Mark and Leon and Sally Dipert of LLS Rabbitry.
Ninety lots of poultry sold for $14,635.
Tye Nevills led the way in the rabbit auction with his grand champion rabbit carcass. He sold the carcass for $400 to 1st Source Bank. The reserve carcass was sold by Angela Shebel for $200 to Heinold and Feller-Firestone.
Wyatt Rogers exhibited the grand champion rabbit meat pen, but did not sell. The reserve meat pen was sold by Tristen Poe for $1,500 to Keen's Lawn Mowing Service Inc. and Jim Roy of The Floor Store.
On 44 lots of rabbits, $9,200 was added to the auction total.
Thirteen entries of wood carvings were contributed to the auction to raise money for 4-H scholarships in LaPorte County where $9,950 was garnered.
Buyer Groups
Jacob Herma—Shere Warnke of State Farm Insurance, Ed Barnes family, Robert Swanson, Peggy Odeel, Mark Satchwell family, Mike Spencer family, 1st Source Bank, Michael Schultz, Chris Eggert, Geraldine DePoy, Ron and Barb Herma, Jake Herma, Freida Risener.
Barbara Stanish—S and B Kessler, Lewis Septic, Hoffman Bros. Auto Parts, LaPorte Insuance Agency, R.K. Services, Jim Roy of The Floor Store, Scrappy Iron and Metal, Terry and Pat McKeehan, Jimmy Shaw, Madison and Aubrey Gierke, Rich and Connie Gramarossa.
Isabella Hurtado—Beck's Hybrids, Shaffner Tire, Don and Sandy Livinghouse, Malecki Row Crop Solutions, Double R Guse, Niemeyer Milk Transfer, Casey Weinkauff, Don and Joyce Miller, Cannon Timber, Kaiser Crop Service, Topeka Livestock Auction, DeLaval Dairy Service, South County Vet Service, CPS, Bane-Welker Equipment, Triple J-Mar, Furst McNess Co., Lortie Livestock, Schlundt Ag Supply, Heinold and Feller Tire, Ed and Jeanne Smith, Farm Credit, Castongia Tractor, Horizon Bank, Mark Scarborough Excavating, K and L Excavating.
Christina Hurtado—Beck's Hybrids, Shaffner Tire, Don and Sandy Livinghouse, Malecki Row Crop Solutions, Double R Guse, Niemeyer Milk Transfer, Casey Weinkauff, Don and Joyce Miller, Cannon Timber, Kaiser Crop Service, Topeka Livestock Auction, DeLaval Dairy Service, South County Vet Service, CPS, Bane-Welker Equipment, Triple J-Mar, Furst McNess Co., Lortie Livestock, Schlundt Ag Supply, Heinold and Feller Tire, Ed and Jeanne Smith, Farm Credit, Castongia Tractor, Horizon Bank, Mark Scarborough Excavating, K and L Excavating.