State Fair junior livestock champions net $83,400 at auction

Junior competitors walked away with $83,400 in total prize money in the annual Junior Livestock Sale of Champions auction during the 2009 State Fair.

“The Sale of Champions highlights the future of agriculture in North Carolina,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “These competitors show a lot of promise and we appreciate the buyers who support our young people.”

The grand champion junior market steer, 1,292 pounds, was shown by Derek Jones, 19, of Barnardsville. Harris Teeter placed the winning bid of $20,000. The reserve grand champion junior market steer, 1,318 pounds, was shown by Syndey Cox, 15, of Trenton. Martin Meats, Howard Brothers Livestock Market, Chesney Livestock Market and Stanly County Livestock Market combined to bid $15,000 for the animal.

The N.C.-born-and-bred champion steer was shown by 19-year-old Dillon Ridling of Salisbury. Martin Meats bid $15,000 for the 1,324-pound steer.

Alyson Moore, 17, of Selma sold her grand champion lamb to Harris Teeter for $5,000. Morgan Watts, 18, of Dallas took home $3,000 from Iron Horse Auction for her reserve champion lamb. Melinda Staebner, 19, of Jonesville sold her N.C.-born-and-bred grand champion lamb to Harris Teeter for $6,000.

Travis Cox, 3, of Louisburg had the grand champion barrow, which Harris Teeter bought for $7,000. The reserve champion barrow was shown by Makensie Mohrfeld, 9, of Pink Hill, which Harris Teeter also bought for $6,000.

Evan Gunter, 13, of Asheboro sold his grand champion turkey to Harris Teeter for $4,000. Leah Thomas, 11, of East Bend had the reserve champion turkey, which Talley Farms bought for $2,400.