September 12, 2007

DETROIT - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, Michigan Commission of Agriculture Chair James Byrum, and Commissioners Todd Regis and Dale Norton 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 in Detroit on Wednesday, August 29, 2007. The grand champion steer, hog and lamb sold for a combined total of $50,000. The 2007 youth auction grossed sales of $150,900.

“It’s thrilling to see area businesses generously supporting the future of Michigan agriculture,” said Byrum. “The auction provides education funding which supports our up and coming producers and provides an arena to showcase their hard work raising these premium animals.”

Granholm, Byrum, Regis, and Norton served as floor "spotters" for this year’s auction. The Kroger Company was the top purchaser - spending $49,300 to purchase nine lots, including the grand champion steer and lamb and reserve grand champion lamb.

Since 2000, the Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Fund has granted a total of $208,450 in educational awards and scholarships. The 2007 scholarship winners are Michelle Dickinson of Montgomery; Ashley Kuschel of Allenton; Mary Catherine Parker of Marshall; Gina Riebel of Armada; Steven Riebel of Armada; Lynnae Slavik of Ashley; and Julie Thelen of Saline.

Purchasers and sale prices of the top animals included:

• Grand Champion market steer, exhibited by Jordan Wilczynski of Columbus, purchased by The Kroger Company for $17,000.
• Grand Champion market lamb, exhibited by Hannah Biniecki of Monroe, purchased by The Kroger Company for $19,000.
• Grand Champion market hog, exhibited by Taylor Copes of New Lothrop, purchased by Meijer, Inc. for $14,000.
• Grand Champion market goat, exhibited by Jillon Hunt of East Leroy, purchased by Boyer’s Meat Processing for $4,000.
• Reserve Grand Champion market steer, exhibited by Andrew Jaroche of Hessel, purchased by the Michigan Farm Bureau for $7,500.
• Reserve Grand Champion market lamb, exhibited by Luke Warner of Blissfield, purchased by The Kroger Company for $5,500.
• Reserve Grand Champion market hog, exhibited by Cailyn Hines of Quincy, purchased by The Dearborn Sausage Company for $5,000.
• Grand Champion market goat, exhibited by Travis Reyes of Holt, purchased by Boyer’s Meat Processing for $3,000.
• Grand Champion pair of market steers, exhibited by Casey AcMoody of Union City, purchased by Kendale Farms for $5,200.
• Grand Champion pair of market hogs, exhibited by Nicholas Kelly of Caledonia, purchased by Kowalski Sausage Company for $5,000.
• Reserve Grand Champion pair of market steers, exhibited by Ryan Smoes of Hamilton, purchased by Binson Hospital Supplies for $4,700.
• Reserve Grand Champion pair of market lambs, exhibited by Lauren Wells of Monroe, purchased by Wolverine Packing Company, Inc.
  for $5,000.
• Reserve Grand Champion pair of market hogs, exhibited by Brandon Ford of Brown City, purchased by Kowalski Sausage Company for
  $3,000.

Also auctioned were award-winning wines, butter, milk, and cheese. The two wine baskets included the following “Best of Class” wines: Left Foot Charley Pinot Blanc, Gill's Pier Riesling, Leelanau Cellars Great Lakes Red, Longview Cabernet Franc, Chateau Grand Traverse Riesling Ice Wine, and Tabor Hill Grand Mark Brut Sparkling Wine. These wine baskets sold to Al Long Ford and Boyer’s Meat Processing for $4,300 and $4,000, respectively.

Green Stone Farm Credit purchased the Grand Champion Butter for $1,200, United Dairy Industry of Michigan purchased the Grand Champion Milk for $2,000, and the Grand Champion Cheese sold for $2,000 to Michigan Milk Producers Association.

MDA employees, participating in their 11th auction, purchased a “spotlight” lamb, exhibited by Bailey Jo Albright of Coldwater for $1,200, and a share of a hog from Jacob Shephard of Brown City for $550. MDA employees also purchased one market lamb at the Upper Peninsula State Fair from Nate DeMill of Menominee County. Processing proceeds will be donated to the Food Bank Council of Michigan.

• View images of the 2007 Michigan State Fair Youth Livestock Auction.
• High Resolution images of the auction may be found here.