Going into Friday’s Warren County Fair Livestock Auction, organizers didn’t know what to expect. Record heat and a struggling economy was cause for some concern for livestock officials.
But while scorching temperatures hampered most of the Fair’s events, it didn’t hurt the livestock auction. More money was raised this year than the two previous years.
This year’s auction generated $139,630.95 in gross receipts from the sale of 123 animals. Last year’s auction raised $130,336.98 in gross receipts from the sale of 138 animals, while the 2010 auction brought in $133,021.93 from the sale of 149 animals.
“I was on eggshells,” said Dave Mikus, who co-chaired the auction with his wife, Alexis, and Stacy and Daniel Schroer. “The buyers came and stayed with us. It was an awesome sale.”
Mikus complimented the exhibitors who worked all week in 100-degree heat to keep their animals safe and comfortable. To help with the unrelenting heat, the shows were pushed back each night to avoid the hottest part of the each day.
“There will be tired kids all week long,” Mikus said. “We’re proud of the kids. We didn’t have any problems.”
Thirty-three steers were sold during the beef auction which raised a total of $80,782. The 1,325-pound grand champion steer, exhibited by Zachary Dunakey, was purchased by Josephville Meat Processing and Charlie’s Farm and Home Supply for $3,445 ($2.60 per pound).
Clayton Schowe’s reserve champion steer was bought by Davis Meat Processing for $2,830 ($2 per pound).
A total of 49 hogs were sold during the swine sale, which brought in $38,059.65 in gross receipts. First State Community Bank purchased the grand champion hog from Montel Edwards for $1,350 ($5 per pound). The reserve champion hog, exhibited by Passion Edwards, was bought by Michael Ockerhausen, Witt Farm Seed and Grain, Pioneer Seeds, and Ockerhausen Family for $1,035 ($4.50 per pound).
Thirteen sheep were sold at an average price of $773.23, or $10,052.05 overall. The grand champion, shown by Nicole Nordwald, was purchased by Niemann Tax Service for $982.50.
Niemann Tax Service also bought Maci Nordwald’s reserve champion sheep for $806.
In the rabbit sale, the grand champion, exhibited by Matthew Vetter, was purchased by The Missouri Bank for $600. The reserve grand champion, shown by Bailey Ressegger, sold for $370 to Highway 47 West Trailer Sales and Kaimann Auctions and Real Estate. .
Overall, 13 rabbits sold for $4,270, or for an average of $328.46.
Dawn Sherman’s grand champion goat was bought by Dothage Farms and Travis and Denise Dent for $1,060 ($10 per pound). Owenby Transportation and Walker Transportation purchased the reserve grand champion goat exhibited by Dana Sherman for $761.26 ($8.75 per pound).
Nine goats were sold overall for a total of $4,267.25.
Six chickens sold for $2,200 overall. The average price paid was $366.67. Bonnie Vahle purchased the grand champion chicken exhibited by Joanne Niederer for $500. The reserve grand champion, shown by Ryan Alberternst, was bought for $425 by JBC Transport Group.
