FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Going, Going, Gone to the Highest Bidder:
Kids Net Big Profits for Market Animals
Youths finance education, learn agribusiness
from auction
After a week of animal wrangling, showmanship and judging, Fair youths received the opportunity to reap the benefits of their hard work at the 19th annual Junior Livestock Sale of Champions sponsored by Bella Sara and Western BBQ. Animals auctioned at the Fair brought in more than $42,000 for participating youths this year. Twenty buyers bid on the animals with sale prices ranging from $170 for a pen of Grand Reserve Champion Meat Rabbits to $3,650 for a Grand Champion Market Steer.
Proceeds from the annual sale benefit the youths, aged 9-19, who raised the prize-winning animals. With the support of the auction sponsors, kids can continue in 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) programs and use the funds as a scholarship for further education.
"This is about kids getting a real-life understanding of the business of livestock and agriculture. They learn how to bring an animal to market and what traits make an animal valuable in the marketplace," says Karen Searle, Livestock Director for the Arizona State Fair.
This year was exciting for returning champion Cheyanne Keith. The 15 year old from Pomerene netted the highest price for the auction, selling her 1,400-pound market steer for $3,650. The turkeys also gobbled their way to strong sales to the highest bidder. Two different sets of siblings were in "neck-in-neck" competition in this category. Justin and Ashley Isaac of Gilbert each sold their champion turkeys for $120 and $100, respectively. In addition, Lucy and Noah Baker of Safford sold their prize winning turkeys for $130 and $120, respectively.
For the 19th annual auction, the Fair welcomed about 269 youths from all corners of Arizona who brought more than 778 animals for showing and judging, out of which 27 champions were auctioned at the sale. Animals are judged during the course of the Fair and the champions of each division - cows, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, pigeons, and rabbits - are then auctioned at the Sale of Champions with proceeds going to benefit Arizona youth involved in agriculture. The youths use the money from the auction for their college funds and to finance further livestock projects.
The junior livestock participants who auctioned off their prize-winning animals for the highest dollar included:
Cheyanne Keith, Pomerence, AZ - Grand Champion Market Steer, $3,650
Destry Guilliam, Mesa, AZ - Champion Whiteface lamb, $2,350
Haley Cooley, Gilbert, AZ - Reserve Grand Champion Market Steer, $2,050
Brianna Peraza, Vail, AZ - Grand Champion Market Burrow, $2,000
Garrett Lochner, Tucson, AZ - Champion Middleweight 1 Market Steer, $2,000
Canyon Ferris, Tucson, AZ - Champion lightweight Market Steer, $1,800
Holly Johnson, Buckeye, AZ - Reserve Grand Champion Meat Goat, $1,750
Sierra Johnson, Glendale, AZ - Grand Champion Market Lamb, $1,600
Lacy Hunt, Buckeye, AZ - Grand Champion Meat Goat, $1,550
Tommy Nino, Queen Creek, AZ - Reserve Grand Champion, $1,500
Joshua Bryan, St. Johns, AZ - Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb, $1,100
Jasmine Lorefice, Marana, AZ - Champion Heavyweight Market Goat, $1,100
Christopher Snodgr, Vail, AZ - Champion Hampshire Barrow, $1,000
Autumn Gilbert, Tucson, AZ - Champion Duroc Barrow, $1,000
Carter Ham, Sahuarita, AZ - Champion Yorkshire Barrow, $1,000
Joshua Slade, Mesa, AZ - Champion Other Light Breeds Barrow, $1,000
Wayne Moore, Casa Grande, AZ - Champion Other Dark Breeds Barrow, $1,000
Leah Wild, Mesa, AZ - Champion Heavy AOV Turkey, $750
Taylor Hancock, Mesa, AZ - Grand Champion Market Turkey, $400
Nikky Horga, Glendale, AZ - Reserve Grand Champion Market Turkey, $210
Kashmire Frank, Wilcox, AZ - Reserve Grand Champion Rabbit Meat Pen, $200
Nerissa Kueny, Strawberry, AZ - Reserve Grand Champion Rabbit Meat Pen, $170
Lucy Baker, Safford, AZ - Champion Light AOV Turkey, $130
Justin Isaac, Gilbert AZ - Champion Heavy White Turkey, $120
Noah Baker, Safford, AZ - Champion Light Bronze Turkey, $120
Ashley Isaac, Gilbert, AZ - Champion Heavy Bronze Turkey, $100
Courtney Horga, Glendale, AZ - Champion Medium White Turkey, $100
The 125th annual Arizona State Fair preserves the best of the Fair's traditions, while moving forward with 21st century innovations in technologies for education and entertainment. Featuring a variety of fun-filled attractions, activities and rides for all ages and interests, the 2009 Arizona State Fair runs from October 16 through November 8 (closed on Mondays) at its location at 19th Avenue and McDowell Road in Phoenix. www.azstatefair.com
Arizona State Fair
October 16 - November 8
Closed Mondays