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.

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.

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 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.”

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.”