Auction Action Livestock sale raises thousands
CONNOQUENESSING TWP — Future 4-H projects and numerous college funds were once again supported at the Butler Farm Show's 36th annual junior livestock auction on Thursday night.
Thousands of dollars were spent as businesses and individuals bid on more than 250 animals throughout one of the farm show's signature events.
The children and teens involved in the Butler County 4-H club or the National FFA Organization devoted countless hours to raising their goats, lambs, rabbits, cattle, poultry, and hogs, and were rewarded for their hard work at the auction.
The night's big monetary winner was Matt Powers, 16, of Saxonburg, who took home $16.50 per pound on his 1,371-pound steer.
“It really makes me speechless,” Matt said. “It's a blast. It's something I do and something I someday want my kids to do.”
Matt has been participating in the auction for three years. He started after seeing others compete at the show when he was younger.
While the money is a nice bonus, Matt said raising animals was the real reward.
“If anyone here is thinking about doing it, it's really something to get into,” he said. “I got into it and now it's something I want to spend my life doing.”
Taylor Kennedy, 11, of Valencia took home the reserve grand champion with her 1,168-pound cow, which sold for $5 per pound.
Taylor, who was the grand champion with a prized lamb two years ago, said her dad got her into doing the auction.
“My dad owns a dairy farm,” she said. “He did this when he was a kid too.”
While the cattle are a main attraction, Grace Swope, 10, of Mars, found out big prizes sometimes come in small packages.
Grace hit a new farm show record with her grand champion rabbits, which sold for $1,550, toping last year's record by $50.“I didn't expect it,” said Grace, who is in her second year of competing.It's not easy to raise a prized rabbit pen. Grace said she spends two to three hours a day cleaning and caring for her animals.“I just really like to do it,” she said.The ambition showed as Grace said she wants to take the money she earned and put it toward next year's projects.Scott Snyder, 11, of Titusville, was named the grand champion in both goats and lambs.“It's really exciting,” Scott said. His prized 91-pound goat sold for $14 a pound, while his 139-pound champion lamb sold for $9 a pound.Scott was also awarded the reserve grand champion with a 132-pound lamb that fetched $5 per pound.Scott, who has been participating in the event for three years, said he enjoys the hobby.“I've loved animals ever since I was little,” the 11-year-old said. “We spend like five hours a day taking care of them.”Hunter Lefever, 15, of Connoquenessing Township, took home the grand champion capon honors for the second year in a row.His prized pen sold for $1,300.Hunter also recognized his family for his interest in raising livestock.“My dad got chickens when I was 6 and it really just took off from there,” he said.Hunter said he wasn't expecting to win for a second-straight year.“It was a surprise at first,” he said. “I didn't expect to win. It's really exciting.”Hunter, who is in his sixth year of the event, said the auction is a great part of the farm show.“It's a good way for kids to get involved and a good way for businesses to get their names out there,” he said.Hunter wasn't the only repeat winner.
Matt Drobezko, 19, of Slippery Rock was partaking in his tenth and final junior livestock auction.Matt ended his career with a grand champion 271-pound hog, which sold for $22 per pound.Showing a grand champion is nothing new for Matt.“I had the grand champion pig the past two years,” he said, adding he's won various other awards with other animals during his time at the auction.While exciting to win, Matt said selling the hog brought mixed emotions.“It's somewhat a sad day,” he said. “That's the last pig I'll ever sell.”Matt said he had a great time spending much of his youth taking care of livestock.“It's been a fun ride,” he said. “There have been some ups and downs through the years, but it's been fun.”While a lot of the money went toward college funds and future 4-H projects, one particular lamb was set apart for charity.Becca Frazier, 16, of Center Township, volunteered to auction off a lamb to raise money for Katie's Kitchen in Butler.Katie's Kitchen is a program that provides free meals to people in need at the St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church.“It was rewarding giving back to the community and to help benefit other people,” said Becca, who represented the Butler County 4-H Club with the lamb.The 111-pound charity lamb sold for $13.50 per pound.Becca also said the 4-H club is planning to go serve at the kitchen in the near future.4-H donationOther charitable events on the night included the presentation of annual 4-H scholarships to members heading off to college, as well as a special check for nearly $10,000 to the Butler County 4-H club from Kids Day America.Stuart Surkosky, the director of Care Chiropractic Center in Renfrew, presented the check to the 4-H Club at the start of the auction.Surkosky said Kids Day America is dedicated to safety, environmentalism, and health awareness of the community's youth, making 4-H a perfect candidate for the donation.“4-H in their mission is mentoring children through interaction with adults,” he said.Kids Day America has been providing donations to various community groups for the past 14 years. Surkosky said the group raises money through its events and with the help of their sponsors.The Butler Farm Show continues through Saturday night.
