From the Michigan Livestock Expo:

The Michigan Livestock Expo promised to charm in its third annual year and the event delivered on all fronts, bringing in big bucks, big names and, most of all, a big turnout of youth exhibitors and livestock.

"The Michigan Livestock Expo was again an impressive achievement, and everyone involved is thrilled with the event's record participation of more than 825 youth exhibitors and 1,200 farm animals, as well as the encouragement from spectators at the exhibition activities and the record-breaking support of individuals and businesses at the 'Sale-Abration auction,'" said Ernie Birchmeier, Michigan Livestock Expo co-organizer and Michigan Farm Bureau livestock and dairy specialist.

"We are also very grateful for the support of Governor Rick Snyder and the other state officials who attended the 'Sale-Abration' and cheered on Expo exhibitors and buyers" said Birchmeier. "It's inspiring to see Michigan's leaders make an investment in youth, agriculture and the future of our state."

The Michigan Livestock Expo "Sale-Abration" auction, held July 19 and featuring award-winning farm animals and dairy products exhibited by Michigan youth, grossed $173,400, an almost 12 percent increase from last year thanks to generous purchases by more than 35 single and collective buyers who bid on 33 items.

In several categories, the livestock and dairy products up for auction fetched winning bids that were dramatically higher than past sales.

This included a dairy gift basket honoring the Supreme Champion Dairy Cow, exhibited by 16-year-old Parker Hardy of Tipton, which sold for $21,000. Last year, the same category sold for $7,000. (Unlike other livestock species where the animals are sold for meat, dairy cows return to milk production after the auction. So a dairy-related gift is sold to represent the award-winning animal.)

A mix of seasoned buyers and some new to the Michigan Livestock Expo teamed up for the Supreme Champion Dairy Cow purchase. Among the first-time bidders involved in the sale was the Kroger Co. of Michigan with a $4,000 contribution.

"Livestock are a critically important sector of Michigan's agriculture industry. Alone, the dairy industry is Michigan's largest agriculture commodity," said Birchmeier. "So to see the Supreme Champion Dairy Cow and other livestock categories fetch top dollar was gratifying for everyone because these sales support opportunities for the youth of our state to stay involved in agriculture and help Michigan's agriculture industry grow."

Meijer trifecta 
Grand Rapids-based retailer Meijer was the ultimate trend-setter, performing a repeat trifecta with the purchase of three grand champion animals for the second consecutive year.

Meijer purchased the Grand Champion Market beef steer, exhibited by 19-year-old Kenton Klingaman of Tekonsha for $20,000; the Grand Champion Market Hog, exhibited by 16-year-old Lauren Wildt of Homer for $15,000; and the Grand Champion Market Lamb, exhibited by 19-year-old Ryan Waltke of Burr Oak for $12,000. Meijer successfully bid on several other animals, bringing its total investment to nearly $60,000.

"Meijer's giving created loads of excitement and energy at the Sale-Abration, and everyone involved in the Michigan Livestock Expo has a lot of gratitude for Meijer," said Birchmeier.

"We recognize that times remain tight financially for everyone, and for Meijer to continue to invest in Michigan's youth in such a big way is truly moving and leaves a lasting impression," said Birchmeier. "The young people involved in the Michigan Livestock Expo will be forever grateful to Meijer for the company's generosity."

Where the money goes 
Youth typically apply earnings from the auction to their current or future college expenses and/or invest the money back into their youth livestock projects, with proceeds above a sales cap supporting the Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships and educational awards to youth involved in livestock exhibition activities. Approximately $30,000 from this year's sale is expected to go toward the Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Fund.

About the Michigan Livestock Expo 
The Michigan Livestock Expo is the largest statewide, multi-species livestock show and sale in Michigan. The centrally located event is open to youth ages 8 to 21 and features beef cattle, hogs, sheep, goats and dairy products representative of award-winning dairy cattle. The Michigan Livestock Expo is unique because most livestock shows and sales are local or regional in nature and some are limited to fewer animal species, oftentimes just a single species.

Exhibition activities that judged young people's animal rearing skills and talents in the show ring with beef cattle, hogs, sheep and goats took place July 15-17. Dairy contests were held July 19 in conjunction with the Michigan Dairy Expo. Youth exhibitors of award-winning animals earned the opportunity to market their livestock and dairy products to the highest bidder at the "Sale-Abration" auction. All activities took place at the Michigan State University Livestock Pavilion.

3rd annual Michigan Livestock Expo Sale-Abration results

BEEF SALE

Grand Champion Market Beef
Weight: 1,288 lbs.
Exhibitor: Kenton Klingaman, 19, of Tekonsha
Price: $20,000
Buyer(s): Meijer 

Reserve Grand Champion Market Beef
Weight: 1,300 lbs.
Exhibitor: Alan Leslie, 16, of Decker 
Price: $7,500
Buyer(s): Binson's Hospital Supplies

Great Lakes Grand Breed Market Beef
Weight: 1,240 lbs.
Exhibitor: Taylor Harrison, 20, of Coldwater
Price: $4,500 
Buyer(s): Michigan Farm Bureau 

Great Lakes Grand Crossbred Market Beef
Weight: 1,355 lbs.
Exhibitor: Brennen Meert, 16, of Plainwell
Price: $8,100
Buyer(s): Binson's Hospital Supplies and Meert Farms 

Showcase Market Beef
Weight: 1,275 lbs.
Exhibitor: Logan Bracy, 18, of Quincy
Price: $4,000
Buyer(s): Pioneer Seed, North Central Co-op, and The Andersons Grain Division 

Showcase Market Beef
Weight: 1,250 lbs.
Exhibitor: Casey Kamps, 21, of Hamilton
Price: $3,800 
Buyer(s): Binson's Hospital Supplies and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

Showcase Market Beef
Weight: 1,320 lbs.
Exhibitor: Spencer Fisher, 11, of Blissfield
Price: $3,450 
Buyer(s): GreenStone Farm Credit Services employees and Preview Properties

Showcase Market Beef
Weight: 1,275 lbs.
Exhibitor: Ben Ross, 17, of Lawrence
Price: $4,250
Buyer(s): Northstar Grain

SWINE SALE

Grand Champion Market Hog 
Weight: 269 lbs.
Exhibitor: Lauren Wildt of Homer
Price: $15,000
Buyer(s): Meijer

Reserve Grand Champion Market Hog
Weight: 274 lbs.
Exhibitor: Morgan Kennedy, 15, of Perry
Price: $5,500
Buyer(s): Foster Swift Collins and Smith PC

Great Lakes Grand Breed Market Hog
Weight: 250 lbs.
Exhibitor: Cailyn Hines, 13, of Quincy
Price: $2,800
Buyer(s): Michigan Farm Bureau Family of Companies employees and Varnum Law Firm

Great Lakes Grand Crossbred Market Hog
Weight: 274 lbs.
Exhibitor: Kenton Klingaman, 19, of Tekonsha
Price: $2,700
Buyer(s): Meijer

Showcase Market Hog
Weight: 268 lbs.
Exhibitor: Nathan Joostberns, 21, of Dorr
Price: $2,600
Buyer(s): Michigan Farm Bureau, Fraleigh Law Firm, Wayne H. Wood, Pat Albright, John Vander Molen, Dave Vanderhaagen, Doug Kammann, Andy Kok, Jim Robinson and state Rep. Kevin Daley

Showcase Market Hog
Weight: 258 lbs.
Exhibitor: Matt AcMoody, 15, of Coldwater
Price: $3,800
Buyer(s): GreenStone Farm Credit Services, MSU Federal Credit Union, and The Andersons Grain Division

Showcase Market Hog
Weight: 259 lbs.
Exhibitor: Ben Littlefield, 13, of Burr Oak
Price: $5,100
Buyer(s): Kendale Farm, The Andersons Grain Division and Michigan Pork Producers Association

Showcase Market Hog
Weight: 280 lbs.
Exhibitor: Caleb Symons, 13, of Chesaning
Price: $6,000 
Buyer(s): Meijer

SHEEP SALE

Grand Champion Market Sheep
Weight: 136 lbs. 
Exhibitor: Ryan Waltke, 19, of Burr Oak
Price: $12,000
Buyer(s): Meijer

Reserve Grand Champion Market Sheep 
Weight: 133 lbs.
Exhibitor: Ryan Smoes, 21, of Hamilton
Price: $5,000 
Buyer(s): Wolverine Packing Co.

Great Lakes Grand Breed Market Sheep
Weight: 135 lbs.
Exhibitor: Adam AcMoody. 17, of Union City
Price: $2,750
Buyer(s): GreenStone Farm Credit Services, Hopkins Farm Service, and Steve Swafford of ShowTec Feeds

Great Lakes Grand Crossbred Market Sheep
Weight: 139 lbs.
Exhibitor: Kelsey AcMoody, 20, of Union City
Price: $1,600
Buyer(s): Michigan Farm Bureau Family of Companies employees

Showcase Market Sheep
Weight: 133 lbs.
Exhibitor: Marie Bennett, 17, of Sturgis
Price: $1,600
Buyer(s): Michigan Farm Bureau

Showcase Market Sheep
Weight: 142 lbs.
Exhibitor: Clayton Cotterman, 17, of Fenton
Price: $1,600
Buyer(s): AcMoody Farms

Showcase Market Sheep
Weight: 142 lbs.
Exhibitor: Alexandria Schut, 15, of Belding
Price: $1,500
Buyer(s): Dart Bank

Showcase Market Sheep
Weight: 144 lbs.
Exhibitor: Sarah Kennedy, 20, of Saranac
Price: $2,200
Buyer(s): GreenStone Farm Credit Services

GOAT SALE 

Grand Champion Market Goat
Weight: 72 lbs.
Exhibitor: Kelsey AcMoody, 20, of Union City
Price: $6,000
Buyer(s): GreenStone Farm Credit Services and MSU Federal Credit Union

Reserve Grand Champion Market Goat/Great Lakes Grand Crossbred Market Goat
Weight: 83 lbs.
Exhibitor: Cailyn Hines, 13, of Quincy
Price: $2,500 
Buyer(s): Meijer

Great Lakes Grand Breed Market Goat
Weight: 90
Exhibitor: Payton Hines, 10, of Quincy
Price: $1,500
Buyer(s): Neogen Corporation

Showcase Market Goat
Weight: 66 lbs.
Exhibitor: Alexandria Schut, 15, of Belding
Price: $1,300
Buyer(s): Wayne H. Wood,  Pat Albright, John Vander Molen, Dave Vanderhaagen, Doug Kammann, Andy Kok, Jim Robinson and state Rep. Ed McBroom

DAIRY SALE

Supreme Champion Dairy Cow - Dairy gift basket representing cow 
Exhibitor: Parker Hardy, 16, of Tipton 
Price: $21,000
Buyer(s): Michigan Milk Producers Association, Varnum Law Firm, Kroger Co. of Michigan, Zeeland Farm Services, Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee, Michigan Soybean Association, NorthStar Cooperative, Dairy Farmers of America, Calder Dairy, Vita Plus and Caledonia Farmers Elevator

Supreme Champion Dairy Showperson - Dairy gift basket in honor of Showperson 
Showperson: Brittany Westendorp, 19, of Nashville 
Price: $5,000 
Buyer(s): Kalmbach Feeds Inc.

Supreme Champion Dairy Heifer - Dairy gift basket representing heifer 
Exhibitor: Sarah Michalek, 19, of Deckerville 
Price: $2,100
Buyer(s): Ken Nobis of Nobis Dairy Farm

Grand Champion Cheese 
Donated by the MSU Dairy Store and produced by the MSU Dairy Plant, winner of the Michigan Livestock Expo Grand Champion Cheese contest 
Price: $4,900
Buyer(s): United Dairy Industry of Michigan

OTHER

Gold Medal Wines
Selection of Michigan wines donated by the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council, with all proceeds benefiting the Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Fund 
Price: $1,750
Buyer(s): AcMoody Farms