Youths Raise over $200K in 4-H Auction
Published: Friday, July 25, 2025
Ashton Yates, 11, of Plymouth earned over $29,000 in the emotional sale of his barrow last Friday at the 4-H fair auction in Argos. Dozens of Marshall County community members gathered support of Ashton, his younger sisters, Willow and Payton, 4-H'ers and their father, John, after the death of their mother, Erin Ringer Yates (see related story).
Yates' hog was the largest sale at the Marshall County 4-H Fair. In all, the auction raised a total premium of $104,130 from 207 lots. Last year's sale raised $107,110. Subtotals by species include: 66 hogs, $55,500; 40 rabbits, $4,405; 32 goats, $14,000; 24 lambs, $9,975; 20 poultry animals, $2,700; 11 dairy steers, $2,275; six dairy products, $6,250; and eight beef steers, $9,025.
Emotions continued as 10-year member Samantha Middaugh, Bourbon received a high-priced send off in the sale of her grand champion lamb, which earned her $6,500.
Tears escaped her eyes as the bids rose above her imagination.
"I thought it was going to be $2,000 at the most," she said.
Buyers include Michelle Hoffman, Amy Middaugh, Connie and John Kaiser, Barb and Doug Eyrich and Patty Herrell.
The reserve champion did not sell.
Sawyer Miller sold his first grand champion in the hog sale, receiving $3,700 for his barrow. He said the key was walking with his pig every day. Buyers include his parents, Andrew and Elizabeth Miller.
The reserve grand champion was sold by Taylor Laudeman of Tippecanoe Twp. It brought in $1,600.
Laudeman also showed the grand champion beef steer, which she sold to a group of buyers for a $5,000 premium. Buyers include Bryan Laudeman, Connie Laudeman, Adam Sauder, Vince Hoffman and Rod Onken. The reserve champion was sold by Mila Tibbs of Polk Twp. Sale price and buyers were not available at press time.
In the dairy sale, six champions sold their animals. They include: Hannah McCay, Walnut Twp.; Kathie Vermillion, Bourbon; Preston Brookins, Bourbon; Haileigh Olivarez, Center Twp.; and Ellie Bollenbacher, Argos.
Keystone Cooperative purchased Bollenbacher's grand champion Jersey basket for $3,750. Brookins received a $900 premium for his grand champion Milking Shorthorn, Olivarez earned $450 for the grand champion Holstein, McCay received $200 for her grand champion Ayrshire, and Vermillion took home $750 for her grand champion Guernsey.
Caleb McCay, Walnut Twp., showed the reserve champion Ayrshire cow.
In goats, Anna Hagen of Polk Twp. sold the grand champion doe for $300 to buyers. Sisters Lena and Reece Jones of the Marshall County West Loyal Chiefs showed the grand and reserve grand champion dairy wethers, respectively. Ten-year member Lena received $1,500, and Reece took home $1,000.
Kase Knepp, son of Wes and Jessika Knepp, pocketed $1,200 after the sale of his grand champion meat goat. The reserve champion was sold by Lexie Andrews, daughter of Lindsey and Caleb Andrews. She received a premium of $250.
Two grand champion exhibitors were represented in the rabbit sale. Sarah Kline of German Twp. earned $350 with the sale of her grand champion meat pen. Alyzabeth Berger, also of German Twp., showed the grand champion single fryer and the reserve champion meat pen. She sold both to her father, Ryan Berger, who paid $200 and $250, respectively.
In the poultry sale, brothers Parker and Preston Wolfe of the Marshall County West Loyal Chiefs showed the grand and reserve grand champion meat chickens. Parker sold his grand champion, which was also best of show, for $500. Preston earned the $175 for his reserve champion. Buyers include Drew Kelhim, Tara Wolfe, and Pete and Melina Pratt.
Bourbon youth Caleb Schaetzle dominated the turkey show, exhibiting the grand and reserve champion gobblers. He took home $100 for each, which were purchased by Interra Credit Union.
Editor's note: A complete list of buyers was not available at press time.
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