N.C. State Fair Sale of Champions draws $166,500
Junior winners in the N.C. State Fair livestock shows drew $166,500 for the top steers, barrows, lambs, goats and turkeys in the Junior Livestock Sale of Champions at the N.C. State Fair on Oct. 15.
“We are proud that so many businesses and organizations turned out to support the hard work of all these junior exhibitors,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “The money raised will go a long way towards college educations, scholarships and educational outreach.”
The grand champion junior market steer (pictured top left) was shown by Caleb Burnett, 16, of Weaverville. Farm Bureau Insurance and Powers Great American Midway placed the winning bid of $30,000 for the grand champion. The reserve champion was shown by Jacob Burleson, 17, of Weaverville. Harris Teeter bought the reserve champion for $16,000.
The grand champion Got to Be NC steer (pictured bottom left) was shown by Issac Wallace, 18, of Franklin. That steer was purchased by Carlton and Lyndell A. Family Foundation, Farm Bureau Insurance, Carolina Stockyards and E.B. Harris Inc. for $18,000.
Farm Bureau Insurance purchased the grand champion lamb (pictured center left), which was also named the grand champion Got to Be NC market lamb, for $16,500. The lamb was shown by Abigail Wilson, 13, of China Grove. Farm Credit Associations of North Carolina purchased the reserve champion lamb shown by Cynthia Connolly, 14, of Mt. Ulla for $10,500.
Tractor Supply Company purchased the grand champion meat goat (pictured top right), which was also named and grand champion Got to Be NC meat goat shown by Kali Mabe of Sandy Ridge for $15,750. The reserve grand champion meat goat shown by Caley Mayo of Whitakers was purchased by Iron Horse Auction Company and McBride Concessions for $9,000.
Hunter McMillen, 9, of Grandy showed the grand champion market barrow (pictured center right), which was purchased for $18,000 by the N.C. Pork Council, Smithfield Farmland, Hog Slat and Duplin Marketing.
The grand champion Got to Be NC and reserve grand champion barrow was shown by Emma Barrret, 11, of Pinetown. It was purchased for $18,500 by the N.C. Pork Council, Smithfield Farmland, Hog Slat and Duplin Marketing.
Talley Farms purchased the grand champion turkey (pictured bottom right) shown by Cheyann Thomas of Randleman for $9,250. Farm Bureau Insurance purchased the reserve champion turkey shown by Leah Thomas of East Bend for $5,000.
To begin the sale, auctioneer E.B. Harris of Warrenton auctioned off a livestock cane. Deborah Johnson had the winning bid of $900. Money from the sale of the cane will go into the general livestock scholarship fund.
The youth receive 60 percent of the purchase amount, while the remaining 40 percent goes to support youth scholarships and livestock programs in North Carolina.
Remaining junior livestock animals were sold in a truckload auction.
