Large animals sold Saturday at Lawrence County Junior Fair

ROME TOWNSHIP — Evan McMackin’s 270-pound market hog rooted out the competition earlier this week to become a grand champion and on Saturday, the winning pig managed to hog a little attention at the annual Lawrence County Junior Fair large animal auction.

McMackin’s hog, the first animal on the auction block, sold for $12 a pound to Ohio River Bank, Fliehmann Concessions, Lawrence County Common Pleas Judge D. Scott Bowling, Lt. Col Scott

Evans, Lawrence County Commissioners Les Boggs and Bill Pratt, Guy’s Floor Covering, M&M Inflatables, Fayette Township Trustee Mike Finley, Rolo Excavating, Stephens and Son Insurance, Lawrence County Clerk of Courts Mike Patterson, State Representative, Dr. Terry Johnson and Rax restaurant.

Molly Saunders’ 261-pound reserve champion hog garnered $7.25 cents from the Ironton Antique Tractor Club and Cooke’s Farm Center.

Those two animals were among the more than 240 hogs, goats, lambs and steers up for bid. Each year 4-H and Future Farmers of America members raise an

animal they then show at the fair in hopes of winning a trophy and the honor of grand champion or reserve champion. They then sell their animals in hopes of earning a return on their months of investment of time and resources.

Kara Saunders’ 130-pound grand champion lamb was sold to Cooke’s Farm Center for $15 a pound.

“That’s good, that’s really good,” her mom, Debbie said, watching from the front row with other spectators. “Anything they get at this kind of time is good.”

Kelsey Huddle’s 127-pound reserve champion lamb sold for $10.15 a pound to Sara and Darrel Humphreys,

Spice of Life Catering and Rocky Top Farms.

Sara Humphreys said this purchase was personal.

“She (Huddle) was a former student of mine. They’re an awesome family and her showmanship is just exemplary,” Humphreys said.

Josh Craft’s 1,328-pound grand champion steer sold for $3.15 a pound to the Lambert Law Office, the Ironton-Lawrence County Community Action Organization, Guy’s Flood Covering, Stephens and Son Insurance, Worley’s Machine and Fabricating, Elite Rehabilitation and Physical Fitness and Lawrence

County Commissioners Les Boggs and Bill Pratt.

The Lawrence County Bar Association purchased Brandon’s Craft’s 1,272-pound reserve champion steer for $2.10 a pound.

Haley Pancake’s grand champion goat sold for $15.50 a pound to Bob Clyse Chevrolet Buick GMC Dealership.

Asked what she would do with her earnings, Haley replied, “Save it up until I’m older.”

Kara Burcham’s reserve champion goat sold for $15.50 a pound to Rick Eplion Paving. Burcham has a more immediate need for her money.

“I’m putting it back for college,” she explained.