52nd Annual Meat Animal Sale a Success

DUNKIRK, NEW YORK (August 31, 2016) -- Cornell Cooperative Extension Chautauqua County’s 4-H Youth Development Program held the 52nd annual 4-H Meat Animal Sale on Friday, July 29, 2016 during the Chautauqua County Fair.

Local businesses and 4-H supporters were out in full force. A total of 172 animals were sold at the 52nd annual event with 16 animals donated back from buyers. The profits of the re-selling of the animals go to a charity of the buyer’s choice. Youth can also choose to donate a portion of their sales to a charity of their choice. This year nearly $9,000 in donations were raised and went to the Alan Harding Memorial Scholarship at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation (CRCF), The Family of Barb Hoyt, and the 4-H Endowment Fund at CRCF.

Chautauqua Patrons purchased Corinne Covert’s Grand Champion Hog for $4.50/lb. and donated it back with the profits from the resale benefitting the family of longtime 4-H volunteer Barb Hoyt. The Reserve Champion hog raised by Michael Kibbe was purchased by Tanner’s Garage for $2.65. Morgan Becker raised the top-selling hog, purchased by Allan Lines Consultant for $5.75/lb. Average price per pound was $3.37.

Baker Huntington’s grand champion market goat was bought by HLW Acres for $4.50/lb. and Abigail O’Brien’s reserve champion animal was sold for $4.25/lb. to Cassadaga Farm Supply. Matthew Butcher had the top selling market goat, purchased by T&T Storer Excavating, for $6.00/lb. Fourteen goats, three of which were a resale, sold on average for $4.37/lb.

Kamryn Harper was awarded both grand and reserve market chicken. Both pairs of birds were purchased by Doug and Sue Harper for $475 and $325, respectively. The birds were donated back to be resold with the profits from those sales benefitting 4-H and the family of Barb Hoyt. Katelynn Gierlinger had the highest selling birds of the day and her pair raised $575. Sixteen pairs of birds, four of which were resales, sold on average for $260.00 a pair.

The grand champion lamb was raised by Jaiden Huntington of Randolph and was purchased by Steven’s Brothers for $5.50/lb. Kayla Schauman’s reserve champion lamb was bought by Brautigam and Brautigam LLC. for $3.25/lb. The top selling lamb was raised by Sarah Osborne and was purchased for $7.00/lb. by Green Star Pallet. 50 lambs, four of which were resales, sold on average for $3.35/lb.

The grand champion steer, raised by Michael Kibbe, was purchased by Allied Alarm for $4.30/lb. The reserve champion steer raised by Brandon Decker was bought by Decker Oil for $2.80/lb. Nicholas Russo and his Hereford/Angus cross received $5.00/lb. and was the highest selling steer. A total of 27 sold for an average of $2.72/lb.

Local auctioneers volunteer their time and without them, the 4-H Meat Animal Sale wouldn’t be possible. This year Andy Campbell, Victor Richardson, Lonnie Kent and Dale Eckman volunteered their auctioneer services. Dick Shaver and Corey Schauman helped in the ring for the duration of the sale. Abbie Gzregorzewski, Little Creek Photography, donated her time and photographed every youth with their buyer.

The 4-H Meat Animal Sale Committee would like to wholeheartedly thank the community for their support of 4-H. Raising market animals teaches youth responsibility, financial and time management skills, recordkeeping, and knowledge of the food system industry.

The 4-H Youth Development Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a community based educational organization, affiliated with Cornell University, Chautauqua County Government, the NYS SUNY system, and the federal government through the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Last updated August 31, 2016