September 1, 2006, Lansing, MI - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) Director Mitch Irwin joined Sheridan Auction Services and Michigan business representatives from across the state to support the auction of the Junior Livestock Champions at the Michigan State Fair, Wednesday, August 30, at the fairgrounds in Detroit. The grand champion steer, hog and lamb sold for a combined total of $41,000. The 2006 youth auction gross sales of $116,750.

"The Michigan State Fair livestock auction is a wonderful opportunity for young producers of these premium animals to raise funds for college and other needs, as well as generate a tremendous sense of accomplishment and pride in their hard work," Irwin said. "The 2006 corporate and private bidders deserve a round of applause for their generous purchases of livestock judged to be the best in the state."

The 2006 auction took place after the annual Governor's Luncheon on the fairgrounds. Governor Granholm and Irwin served as floor "spotters" during the auction. The Kroger Company was the top purchaser, spending over $30,000 to purchase four lots, including the grand champion steer, grand champion pair of steers, and reserve grand champion hog.

Prior successes of the livestock auction have dramatically increased youth participation at the Michigan State Fair. This year, there were over 400 youth competing in livestock events, and nearly 200 youth competed in skill-a-thon which included a livestock quiz, showmanship and judging. A statewide showmanship contest was also held Thursday, August 30, with 112 youth representing over 30 counties.

The Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Fund (MYLSF) winners for 2006 are Katie Cook, of Reed City; Michelle Dickinson, of Montgomery; Greta Koebel, of Three Oaks; Megan Richey, of Ottawa Lake; Gina Riebel, of Armada; Lynnae Slavik, of Ashely; and Julie Thelen, of Saline. The MYLSF also granted $21,000 in educational awards to more than 110 youth livestock exhibitors who competed in the skill-a-thon competition. Since 2000, the MYLSF has granted a total of $180,000 in educational awards and scholarships. Overall, the 2006 livestock auction raised $16,950 for the scholarship fund through the implementation of a sales cap, and the sale of the best of category wines, champion cheese, milk and butter.

Purchasers and sale prices of the top animals included:

• Grand Champion market steer, exhibited by Bradley McNary of Brown City, purchased by The Kroger Company for $20,000.
• Grand Champion market lamb, exhibited by Ashleigh Sonnenberg of Lambertville, purchased by Meijer, Inc. for $9,000.
• Grand Champion market hog, exhibited by Heather Depcinski of Cass City, purchased by the Kowalski Sausage Company for $12,000.
• Reserve Grand Champion market steer, exhibited by Thomas Wilczynski, Jr. of Columbus, purchased by the Michigan Farm Bureau for $3,750.
• Reserve Grand Champion market lamb, exhibited by Kelsey AcMoody of Union City, purchased by the Wolverine Packing Company for $4,000.
• Reserve Grand Champion market hog, exhibited by Austin Joostberns of Dorr, purchased by The Kroger Company for $4,500.
• Grand Champion pair of market steers, exhibited by Michael Janca of Owosso, purchased by The Kroger Company for $3,900.
• Grand Champion pair of market lambs, exhibited by Jenna Pohl of Clare, purchased by Michigan Farm Bureau Employees for $1,750.
• Grand Champion pair of market hogs, exhibited by Jay Parr of Brown City, purchased Michigan Milk Producer Association for $2,750.
• Reserve Grand Champion pair of market steers, exhibited by Kyle Schrader of Tekonsha, purchased by United Producers, Inc. for $3,500.
• Reserve Grand Champion pair of market lambs, exhibited by Kyle Schrader of Tekonsha, purchased by Meijer, Inc. for $2,000.
• Reserve Grand Champion pair of market hogs, exhibited by Austin Joostberns of Dorr, purchased by Kowalski Sausage Company for $2,500.
• Grand Champion market goat, exhibited by Jillian Hunt of East Leroy, purchased by Boyers Meat Processing for $1,600.
• Reserve Grand Champion market goat, exhibited by Heather Hunt of East Leroy, purchased by the Meijer, Inc. for $2,500.

Also auctioned were award-winning wines, butter, milk and cheese, and a cherry products basket. The cherry basket sold to Boyer's Meat Processing for $3,200; two baskets with a selection of Best of Class wines sold to Boyer's Meat Processing and Michigan Farm Bureau for $1,700 and $1,200, respectively. Green Stone Farm Credit purchased the Grand Champion Butter for a record price of $3,250, LaSalle Bank purchased the Grand Champion Milk for $2,100 and the Grand Champion Cheese sold for $1,000 to Michigan Milk Producers Association.

MDA employees, participating in their eleventh auction, purchased two "spotlight" lambs, exhibited by Andrew Williams, of Cassopolis, for $950, and Erin Waltke, of Burr Oak, for $1,050. MDA employees also purchased two market lambs at the Upper Peninsula State Fair from Bobbie Ann Love, of Rudyard, and Sarah Gaudes, of Stephenson. Processing proceeds will be donated to the Food Bank Council of Michigan.

The Michigan State Fair, the nation's oldest fair, runs through Labor Day, September 4. The fairgrounds are located at the corner of Eight Mile Road and Woodward Avenue in Detroit, just two miles from I-75, three miles from I-696, and eight miles from I-94.

Follow this link to view images of the 2006 Michigan State Fair Youth Livestock Auction.