Four-H'ers in Marshall County braved the heat and sold 294 lots last Saturday during the 4-H livestock auction at the fairgrounds in Argos. Together, 4-H members raised $150,850.70 down from last year's total of $193,483.33 on 348 lots.
A highlight of the auction included the sale of Bryce Swihart's crossbred barrow. Swihart of Bourbon Twp. chose to donate his hog's proceeds to the Breanna Lemler scholarship fund where a total of $8,250 was raised from a large support group (see list at end of story). Six organizers including current 4-H'ers and former 4-H members reached out to the community to pull the support group together. Those members include Tanner and Katie Hoffman, Bryce Swihart and Derek, Chad and Krystal Sellers.
Breanna Lemler was a former Marshall County 4-H member who passed away in a single automobile accident on July 10 while interning for an agriculture company in Alabama.
The generosity of 4-H'ers continued throughout the auction with youths donating part or 100 percent of their livestock sales to the fund. Overall, the fund earned $9,180 from 4-H'ers and other donators.
In the beef auction, Union Twp.'s Karson Hoffman led the way with his grand champion 1,300-pound steer which sold for $7,000 ($5.38 per pound) to a large support group (see list). The reserve steer was sold by Karzdon McCrammer of Center Twp. His steer weighed 1,326 pounds and sold for $4,500 ($3.39 per pound) to a support group (see list).
Twenty lots of beef sold for $37,491.94.
Exhibiting the top hog was Tanner Hoffman of Union Twp., who did not sell his pig. The reserve barrow was sold by Elizabeth Langfeldt of Center Twp., which weighed 283-pounds selling for $5,200 or $18.37 per pound to a large support group (see list).
Swine exhibitors sold 121 lots and added $54,118.75 to the auction bill.
In the dairy beef division, Reese Williamson of Green Twp. exhibited the grand champion, which did not sell and is State Fair bound. The reserve steer was shown by Hunter Chizum and also did not sell.
Fourteen lots of dairy beef sold for $23, 505.06.
Exhibiting the top market lamb of the sheep show was Macy Morris, who did not sell her lamb. The reserve was exhibited by Cailey Markley, who also did not sell her lamb.
A total of 22 lambs were sold through the auction raising $9,704.60.
In the dairy product sale, Andrew Bollenbacher of Green Twp., sold the grand Holstein milk for $2,900 to a support group (see list). The grand champion Ayrshire was sold by Walnut Twp.'s Bailey Nifong for $400 to Gen-Tech Farm Seed.
Owen Nifong of Walnut Twp. sold the grand champion Brown Swiss milk for $300 to 1st Source Bank. Nathan Bollenbacher of Green Twp. exhibited and sold milk from the grand champion Jersey for $1,000 to a support group (see list). Wrapping up the auction was the grand champion Milking Shorthorn which was exhibited by Maranda Otteman of Union Twp. She sold her cow's milk for $800 to Starke County Co-op, Plymouth Tire, DeLaval Direct Distributing, Live Oak Electric, Larry Greer, Samuelson and Sons, Allen and Georgette Samuelson and Mark and Emily Samuelson.
Five lots of dairy products were sold for $5,400.
During the sale of dairy goats, Renae Johnson of Union Twp. swept the milking goat show earning both supreme and grand champion doe honors. She sold the supreme doe milk for $125 to Debra Sanders of Argos Medical Center. The grand champion doe milk was sold for $100 to Schaller Ag Enterprises Inc.
The grand champion dairy wether was sold by Ellie Jones of West Twp. for $800 to Fred Jones of J and J Farms, Lifeplex and Jones Huff Jones and Richeson. The reserve was sold by Courtney Jennings of Bourbon Twp. for $100 to Halderman Real Estate and Farm Management.
On five lots of dairy goats, the auction earned $1,443.40.
In the meat goat auction, Hannah Harrell exhibited the grand meat goat but did not sell her animal. The reserve meat goat was sold by Cailey Markley of Tippecanoe Twp. for $1,060 to Jeremy Mullins of Louis Dreyfus Co., Ron and Peggy Smith, Denise Redman, Dave and Angie Jarrett, Hurford Home Inspection, Ryan and Cade Nifong, Dee and Deb Nifong, Tucker Tire and Repairs, Richard and Karen Markley, Thayer Construction, Kelsey Sampson of TruHorizon, Daved and Jennifer Stults, Barry and Diana Ostrum, Grandpa Greer, Derek Sellers of LG Seeds, Bethany Lemler and Boland Kids.
Twenty-five head of meat goats sold for a combined total of $9,081.95.
Starting the poultry auction was Bryce Swihart of Bourbon Twp. with his grand champion ducks that sold for $150 to Tim Seago CPA and Bean Accounting and Sellers Show Stock. The reserve ducks did not sell.
North Twp.'s Kayla Dent sold the top turkeys for $225 to Halderman Real Estate and Farm Management and 1st Source Bank. The reserve turkeys were sold by Alex Dent of North Twp. for $200 to Poet Biorefining and 1st Source Bank.
Sophia Bollenbacher of Green Twp. sold the grand champion meat chickens for $225 to North Central Co-op. The reserve chickens were sold by Karlee Smith of Green Twp. for $100 to Halderman Real Estate and Farm Management.
On 30 lots, the poultry auction raised $3,040.
Leading the way in the rabbit sale was Hunter Schaetzle of Bourbon Twp. He sold the grand champion single fryer for $175 to Senff Family Farms and Lake City Bank. The reserve single fryer did not sell.
Shantel Bice of German Twp. sold the grand champion meat pen rabbits for $600 to Express Employment Professionals of Warsaw, Auto Park Ford of Bremen, Mike's Custom Painting, Netters Restaurant, Warsaw Buick GMC, Precision Painting, Bellman Oil Company, Bremen Car Quest, CVS of Bremen and Clean and Classy Pet Spa. The reserve meat pen was sold by William Baldwin for $150 to Schaller Ag Enterprises Inc.
Fifty-two lots of rabbits sold for $5,415.
Support Groups
Breanna Lemler Scholarship fund support group—Hoffman Cattle Co., Rochester Sale Barn, Tanner and Katie Hoffman, Hoffman Auctioneering, Hoffman Show Cattle, Paul Hayn, Hayn Farms, Charles and Michelle Sellers, Derek Sellers and Mallorie Jennings, Chad Sellers and Shelby Tetzlaff, Krystal Sellers and Jacob Pearson, Tim Seago CPA and Bean Accounting Inc., Loren Kim, Aundrea and Austin Sellers, Jon and Kim Bates, Davenport Farms, Mike, Katie and Bryce Berger, 1st Source Bank, Culver Young Farmers, Dale and Kaye Schultz, Jason and Dawn Verhaeghe family, Joel and Angie Fisher and family, Scott and Stacy Jennings family, Centier Bank, Will Helt, Schrader Livestock, North Central Co-op, Bane Welker, Steve and Kathy Blackford, Greenmark Equipment, Mike Rist Show Cattle, Farm Fertilizer and Seed, Tom and Joni McClochlin, Gen Tech Farm Seed, Egbert Livestock, Boyer Cattle Co., Clay Hill Ranch, Evan and Ashley Young, Barry Scales and Steve King, Wilson Fine Feeds, Allen and Donna Pontius, Bourbon Vet, Hughes Insurance, Langfeldt Concrete, Reichert and Knepp Wrecker Service, Jon and Bonnie Broeker family, Beauty and The Beach, ADM Alliance Nutrition, Etna Green Elevator, Burts Body Shop, Construction-Management and Design, Collins and Company Realtors, Banner Electric, Plymouth Tire, Larry and Cindy Tetzlaff, Triton Class of '79, Lisa Zentz, Russell Kietzman of Edward Jones, Yoder Sports, Eric and Kelsey Manson, Greg Compton of KeyBank, Bobbi Reinhold, Chet Irvine, Mike Ault, Geri Newman, Leeper Trucking, Don Schultz of Farm Bureau Insurance, Lori Zentz, Slonaker Farms and Trucking, Meister family, MJR Livestock, It's A Sister Thing, Renae, Bekah and Liz Johnson, Chad and Tammy Kennedy family, Steve and Donna Feldman, Steve Schweisberger family, In Memory of Rachel Yoder, Lemler Oil, Sellers Grain Farm, Rick and Missy Columbia, Ross and Kyler Columbia, E and B Paving IMI, Jay and Jesse Sauer, Chris and Cari Snyder, Professional Safety Consulting, Hoffman Outdoor Power Equipment, anonymous, and The Pretzel Wagon.
Karson Hoffman support group—Farm Credit, Wilson Fertilizer and Grain, Leiters Ford Tavern, Tim and Darlene of Denton's Corner Tavern, Loehmer's Hardware and Farm Supply, Grandma and Grandpa Hoffman, Grandma and Grandpa Listenberger, Tucker and Alyssa Thayer, Troy and Holly Schultz family, Widners Tiling and Excavating, Webb Brothers Livestock, Angel Balsley of Hughes Insurance, Bel Hay Farms, Bowyer Cattle, Willoughby Livestock Sales, Shepherds Chevrolet, Culver Pizza and Wings, Dewain Davis of ReMax, Overmyer Water, Evan and Ashley Young, Mike Berger family, Lestinsky Auction Service, Langfeldt Concrete, Joel Fisher of Michiana Eco Agro Services, Rochester Sale Barn, Hurford Home Inspection, Schrader Livestock, Egbert Livestock, Bob and Jenny Keller family, Jason Young Insurance, Will Helt, Suzi Q's Embroidery, Morris Family Farms, and Mom, Dad and Sis.
Karzdon McCrammer support group—Mayflower Tavern, Angus Live, Rochester Sale Barn, Angel Balsley of Hughes Insurance Group, Hoffman Auctioneering, Joe Horstman of Farm Bureau Insurance, Langfeldt Concrete, Larry and Sherry Swank, Rick Vermillion, Country Auto, Wilson's Feed, Zehner and Sons Excavating, Mike, Katie and Bryce Berger, H and H Contracting, Murray Well Drilling, Attorney Ed Ruiz, Aunt Kelsey and Uncle BJ, Eisenhower Home Improvements, Jeff Gustafson Farms, Grandma Sandy, Etna Green Elevator, Thomas Excavating and G-Man Dawn, Antique Motors, Jamie Thomas, Jenna Thomas, Grandma and Grandpa Town, Langfeldt Farms, Dr. Debbie Sanders and Belle McCrammer.
Elizabeth Langfeldt support group—Phil Lehman, Mark Hartman, Gochenour Ag Services, Argos Do It Best Hardware, Thayer Construction, Oak Crest Realty/Auctions, Deane Stump, Farmers Drainage, Slonaker Farms and Trucking, Bob and John Bachtel, Grandma and Grandpa, Double R Bar Ranch, Justin Frasa of Kalmbach Feeds, Katelynn Penny, 1st Source Bank, Farm Fertilizer and Seeds, CTE, Chad and Kelsey Beatty, Shaun and Nicole Glingle, Mike and Shelley Beatty, Mentone Grain and Feed, Don Schultz of Farm Bureau Insurance, James and Julie Beatty, Steve Blackford family, Angel Balsley of Hughes Insurance, Lemler and Sons, Dale and Kaye Schultz, Leeper Trucking, H and H Contracting, Mr. Storage, Jon Langfeldt Farms, Dogleg Dairy, S and K Construction, Rochester Sale Barn, Todd Laudeman family, Jeff Gustafson Farms, Jones Huff Jones, Langfeldt Exacating LLC, Loren Sellers family, Tri L Farms, Ron and Cheryl Beatty, Markley's Triple M Auctions, Bane Welker, Zehner Excavating, Clauson Show Pigs, The Riddle family, Hoffman Auctioneering, TruHorizons and Mom, Dad, Kendra, Ali and Emma.
Andrew Bollenbacher support group—Craig Shaw of ABS, Argos Dairy Service, Belstra Milling, Harry Bowman, Zehner Excavating, Mike Houin of GreenMark Equipment, Brian Jennings of Jennings Insurance, Rochester Ford New Holland, Kirkdorffer Trucking, DeLaval Dairy Services, Louis Dreyfus Commodities, Farm Credit Mid-America, Ken Kotouc of Kalanbach Feeds, Trevor Hughes of Brodbeck Seeds, Nuekomm Trucking, Zimmerman Hauling, Hoover Feeds, Wilson's, Plymouth Tire, Ball Liquid Supplement Inc., Kingsbury Elevator, Berne-Geneva Sale Barn, Mark and Emily Samuelson and Kelly and Mindy Hoffman.
Nathan Bollenbacher support group—Craig Shaw of ABS, Argos Dairy Service, Belstra Milling, Harry Bowman, Zehner Excavating, Mark Houin of GreenMark Equipment, Brian Jennings of Jennings Insurance, Rochester Ford New Holland, Kirkdorffer Trucking, DeLaval Dairy Services, Louis Dreyfus Commodities, Farm Credit Mid-America, Ken Kotouc of Kalanbach Feeds, Trevor Hughes of Brodbeck Seeds, Nuekomm Trucking, Zimmerman Hauling, Hoover Feeds, Wilson's, Plymouth Tire, Ball Liquid Supplement Inc., Kingsbury Elevator and Berne-Geneva Sale Barn.