Mason Henry presents his Grand Champion 1,345 pound steer during the 48th Annual Junior Livestock Market Sale at the Butler Farm Show, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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CONNOQUENESSING TWP — A year’s worth of hard work and dedication for young farmers across Western Pennsylvania culminated in the Butler Farm Show’s 48th annual Junior Livestock Auction, held Thursday night, Aug. 13.
According to Mason Henry, of Venango County, who raised this year’s Grand Champion market beef cattle, there are many components that go into raising and presenting a money-making farm animal.
“You really want to focus on what they’re eating, how much weight they’re gaining per week and just keep them on track,” Mason said. “It’s one guy’s opinion on one day, but you want a nice flat back, and then you want their back legs pretty straight and you want them to be able to walk really well.”
Mason’s 1,345-pound Grand Champion cattle sold for $4.50 a pound to Amerikohl Mining, of Butler, a longtime Farm Show sponsor and frequent buyer at Thursday’s auction.
Faith Stuebgen presents her Reserve Grand Champion rabbits during the 48th Annual Junior Livestock Market Sale at the Butler Farm Show, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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For at least one 4-H member, Thursday night was their only chance to present at the livestock auction.
“This is my first year showing here and my last year in 4-H,” said 18-year-old Faith Steubgen, who presented both the Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion junior rabbit meat pens. Eighteen years is the maximum age for 4-H Club members.
Steubgen’s two rabbit pens brought in a combined $5500.
“I never try to set expectations and I'm happy with however I do,” she said. “I try to breed to the best of my ability.”
A shawl created at the farm show by the Fabulous Fiber 4-H Club is sold in the 48th Annual Junior Livestock Market Sale at the Butler Farm Show, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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A key theme of this year’s auction was charity. The first prize to be auctioned off wasn’t an animal at all — it was a special red, white and blue shawl commemorating America’s 250th anniversary. The shawl was knitted by the Fabulous Fiber Arts 4-H Club, with proceeds going toward the Butler Area School District’s Kids’ Weekend Backpack Program.
“It'll go toward money for the kids so they can have food over the weekend,” said Emmalyn Schaffner.
Ultimately, the shawl was purchased for $950 by a local Realtor.
The first three animals to go up for auction were special charity animals, including a 248-pound hog donated by the Douglas family and the 4-H Club. Proceeds from the sale went toward the Schultheis family of Penn Township to help cover medical bills for Patty Schultheis, who sustained life-altering injuries in a February car crash.
David Schultheis, Patti’s son and a longtime exhibitor at the Farm Show, was deeply moved by the gesture.
“For the club to do that and for the folks who raised the animal... it’s truly heartwarming,” Schultheis said. “We’re so thankful for that and we’ll never be able to thank them enough. It’s going to help us to pay off some medical bills. ...As of right now, (Patti) is doing good, and she continues to make progress each day.”
The first charity animal, an 83-pound market goat, sold for $23 a pound to Portersville Family Practice, with the proceeds going to the Jean B. Purvis Community Health Center.
The second, a 101-point market lamb, sold for $25 a pound to Hampton Mechanical, with proceeds benefiting the Cabot Food Bank.
Little Miss 4-H Butler Farm Show, Mila Monday, center, presents the charity goat in the 48th Annual Junior Livestock Market Sale at the Butler Farm Show, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Carter Reinert tends to his pig, Kelsey, during the 48th Annual Junior Livestock Market Sale at the Butler Farm Show, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Auctioneer Beth Hillmar announces bids during the 48th Annual Junior Livestock Market Sale at the Butler Farm Show, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Travis Richards presents his goat for auction during the 48th Annual Junior Livestock Market Sale at the Butler Farm Show, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Attendees spectate and participate in the 48th Annual Junior Livestock Market Sale at the Butler Farm Show, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Auctioneer Mitchell Kerr, right, leads the 48th Annual Junior Livestock Market Sale at the Butler Farm Show, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Adalynn Guiher wrangles her Reserve Grand Champion lamb into position during the 48th Annual Junior Livestock Market Sale at the Butler Farm Show, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Makenzie Schultheis presents her goat during the 48th Annual Junior Livestock Market Sale at the Butler Farm Show, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Chase Kelley presents his goat during the 48th Annual Junior Livestock Market Sale at the Butler Farm Show, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Chase Kelley presents his rabbits during the 48th Annual Junior Livestock Market Sale at the Butler Farm Show, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Auctioneer Roger Croll, right, announces bids in the 48th Annual Junior Livestock Market Sale at the Butler Farm Show, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Bid spotters watch the crowd for bids during the 48th Annual Junior Livestock Market Sale at the Butler Farm Show, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Lilly Scott leads her goat around the ring during the 48th Annual Junior Livestock Market Sale at the Butler Farm Show, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Emma McConnel, right, stands with her Home Bred Champion goat after its sale in the 48th Annual Junior Livestock Market Sale at the Butler Farm Show, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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William Schwalm, right, stands with his Grand Champion goat after its sale in the 48th Annual Junior Livestock Market Sale at the Butler Farm Show, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Hattie Schwalm, right, stands with her Grand Champion goat after its sale in the 48th Annual Junior Livestock Market Sale at the Butler Farm Show, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Kelsey the pig waits for her turn at the auction during the 48th Annual Junior Livestock Market Sale at the Butler Farm Show, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Emma McConnell presents her Home Bred Champion goat in the 48th Annual Junior Livestock Market Sale at the Butler Farm Show, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Rabbits wait for their turn at the auction during the 48th Annual Junior Livestock Market Sale at the Butler Farm Show, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Paisley Flynn presents her Reserve Grand Champion goat in the 48th Annual Junior Livestock Market Sale at the Butler Farm Show, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Jackson Stewart, right, stands with his Home Bred Reserve Champion goat in the 48th Annual Junior Livestock Market Sale at the Butler Farm Show, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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