Junior livestock champion and reserve winners earned $91,700 for their prize animals at the N.C. State Fair's Junior Livestock Auction. For the first time, a special born-and-bred in North Carolina steer was sold at auction.

"The livestock in the shows and auctions this year were a great representation of the animals we have in North Carolina," said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. "These youth have done an excellent job raising and caring for the animals. We thank Harris Teeter, Martin Meats, Martin Pork, Neese's Country Sausage and Farm Bureau for their winning bids and congratulate them on purchasing a superb lot of champions."

The 1,381-pound grand champion steer was shown by William Jones, 12, of Barnardsville. Harris Teeter placed the winning bid of $25,000. The 1,322-pound reserve champion steer was shown by Taylor Ridling, 17, of Salisbury. Martin Meats purchased the reserve winner for $12,500.

Ashley Pittman, 12, of Kenly, sold her 140-pound grand champion lamb to Harris Teeter for $7,500. Harris Teeter also purchased the reserve champion lamb for $5,000, shown by Milo Lewis, 17, of Walstonburg.

Emily Boyette, 11, of Wilson, sold her 275-pound grand champion barrow for $10,000 to Harris Teeter. The 280-pound reserve champion barrow was purchased jointly by Neese's Country Sausage and Martin Pork for $5,700 and was shown by Ryan Blalock, 17, of Lucama.

The grand champion turkey was shown by Evan Gunter, 10, of Asheboro, and was sold to Harris Teeter for $5,500. Kyle Lucky-Smith, 16, of Clyde, exhibited the reserve champion turkey. N.C. Farm Bureau purchased it for $3,000.

In addition to the sale of champions, a special born-and-bred in North Carolina steer was auctioned. Austin Francis, 17, of Waynesville, sold the steer for $17,500 to Harris Teeter.