Livestock Auction

This was my first visit to the Junior Livestock Auction, and it has officially made the list of my favorites things to see at the Fair. The crowd was spilling out the doors of the small arena where the top animals are shown to buyers like Harris Teeter, Neese’s Sausage and Martin’s Pork. As you can see, it’s a really exciting “show” to see, between the quick-tounged auctioneer and the bid-inducing antics of Livestock Show Director Bruce Shankle.

All of the exhibitors in this auction are 18 and younger and are the main caretakers of these animals. I can’t imagine all the work that goes into caring for the huge steer featured at the end of the video above while also attending high school or middle school (and sometimes even elementary school!). Here are the winners and the buyers of these impressive animals:

N.C. Born and Bred Grand Champion Steer: Michael Carpenter of Franklin, sold to Stanley County, Harward Brothers and Martin Meats for $20,000
Grand Champion Steer: Taylor Ridling of Salisbury, sold to Harris Teeter for $24,000
Reserve Champion Steer: Derek Jones of Barnardsville, sold to Martin Meats for $13,000
N.C. Born and Bred and Reserve Champion Lamb: Ashley Pittman of Kenly, Ironhorse Auction and Scotland Motor Co. for $4,500
Grand Champion Lamb: Alyson Moore of Selma, sold to Harris Teeter for $7,000
Grand Champion Barrow: Wyatt Scott of Lucama, sold to Harris Teeter for $8,500
Reserve Champion Barrow: Kaelyn Mohrfeld of Pink Hill, sold to Martin’s Pork and Neese’s Sausage for $4,500
Grand Champion Turkey: Garrett See of Raleigh, sold to Harris Teeter for $6,600
Reserve Champion Turkey: Reddin Wheeler of Angier, sold to Talley Farms of Stanfield for $4,000