Junior Fair kids get good auction payday

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

It was payday Tuesday for Junior Fair livestock exhibitors, and an analysis of the premiums paid shows it was the best one yet for exhibitors.

Total sale premium for 2014 was $145,320 for a total of 308 sale units (some units include multiple animals). While not a record total, it was the highest total for the number of animals sold. The sale in 2012 garnered a total of $146,210, but a total of 359 units were sold that year – more than 50 higher than this year.

The average premium received by individual exhibitors was $471.82, nearly $40 more than last year’s record of $433.86.

Premiums have been increasing the past four years, following some declines related to the economic downtown that began in 2008. After reaching an average of $354.57, the average decreased to $351.97 in 2009 and $350.14 in 2010, before moving upward again in 2011, when the average sale prices was $394.22.

Individual species sales information is as follows:

Turkeys – Total premium paid for 36 animals was $13,200, for an average unit price $366.67.

Goats – Total premium paid for 11 animals was $5,950, for a per-unit average of $540.91.

Steers – Total premium paid for 26 steers was $22,875, for an average unit price of $879.81.

Dairy feeders – Total premium paid for 24 animals was $15,865, for a per-unit price of $661.04.

Rabbits – Total premium paid for 74 animals was $22,700, for an average unit price of $306.76.

Sheep – Total premium paid for 27 animals was $17,705, for a per-unit average price of $544.63.

Swine – Total premium paid for 77 animals was $36,950, for an average unit price of $479.87.

Poultry – Total premium paid for 32 animals was $10,575, for a per-unit average price of $330.47.

In addition to the sale of livestock, the symbolic gallon of milk (dairy animals, other than feeder calves, are not sold) was a record $2,500, providing an average premium of $416.67 to dairy exhibitors.

In addition to the premium, which Junior Fair Advisor Paul Pohlman says is the “gift” given by businesses, individuals and organizations who purchase animals at the auction, exhibitors also receive an amount equal to the per-pound market value of the animals sold. That amounted to a total of $94,399.24 this year, for a total payout of $239,719.24.

Also again this year, a number of business, individuals and organizations provided money to purchase three steers that were donated to food pantries operated by Trinity Friends Church, First United Methodist Church and The Salvation Army.

Those donating to that effort include Ace Hardware, Ag Credit, Alexander & Bebout, Allmandinger Custom Baling, Arend Laukhuf Stoller, Citizens National Bank, Craig and Kathy Staley family, Dealey Chemical, dentist Dr. Roger Okuley, F&S Floorcovering, Van Wert County Farm Bureau, Farm Credit/Mid-America.

Also, Farm Focus, Greve Chrysler, Jacob Staley, Keber Farms, Kemler Farms, Kenn-Feld Group, Laudick’s Jewelry, Lee Kinstle GM Sales & Service, Leland Smith Insurance, Mike Poling/Garst Seed, Northwest Ohio Welch Trophy, P&L Fertilizer, Merkle Insurance, State Senator Cliff Hite, First Federal Savings & Loan, Wellman Seeds, Millers Sales & Service.

Also, Pond Seed, Rager Home Improvement, Rocky and Lori McVaigh, Rod Cooper Farms, Ryan Mohr Seed, Shultz Huber, StateWide Ford, Stoller Financial Group, Tom and Bonnie Evans, Van Wert County Hospital, Van Wert Federal Savings Bank, Van Wert Manor, Van Wert Propane, Williamson Crop Insurance Agency.

Also, State Representative Tony Burkley, County Commissioner Todd Wolfrum, Firehouse Pizza, and Precision Ag Drainage.