Livestock sales at the Richland County Junior Livestock auction were soaring Friday night as records were set and broken all within an hour.
Wesley Eidt, 16, and an upcoming junior at Shelby High School, sold his 43 pound turkey last night for a whopping and record-breaking $1,275 to Schroeder Farms. This set a new record for the most spent on a turkey during this auction. His turkey was the Grand Champion this year.
Eidt said he raised this turkey within a flock of 14 this year. He started raising them in a box with a heat lamp, then moved them to a pen. When they were big enough he transferred them to a pasture, where they could graze.
“The secret to raising a good turkey is to keep their beds clean,” said Eidt. He said most problems arise when things aren’t kept clean because infections can and will grow.
Eidt said the money will go towards his college fund.
Among the top sellers last night were two girls selling rabbits. Loretta Vogt, 17, from Shelby Future Farmers of America sold her rabbit for $1,025 to Rietschin & Maintenance, setting a new record. The previous record was $700. She has one more year in the FFA Organization and plans on finishing strong again next year.
“When I started I loved it so much that I did it again. It’s really great to raise an animal and see all the support at the end,” said Vogt.
But just after the record was set with Vogt’s rabbit, 9-year-old Peyton Collins from Greenwich’s Farm Gang crushed the record when she sold her rabbit for $1,150 to CSP Farms, along with a $100 buy on from C. Eshelman Concrete.
When asked how she felt about the sale, Collins replied, “I feel tingly.” She also said she is thinking about raising a goat for next year.
Businesses from Richland County are to be thanked for their participation in the auction. Some of the big buyers include, MillIron’s Iron & Metal, Phillip’s Manufacturing Co., C. Eshleman Concrete, Richland Bank, Schroeder Farms, Briner Farms, Charles Shaw, Jamison Well Drilling, and even State Representative Mark Romanchuk bought a duck from Julie Brown in the World Changers 4-H Club for $400.
Average sales for the top placements of ducks, rabbits, turkeys, and chickens was $537.24 with records for sales in a rabbit and a turkey broken.
Auctions will continue on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. with steers, hogs, lambs, feeder calves, and goats. For more information on the Richland County Fair, visit their website or call 419-747-3717.
“When I started I loved it so much that I did it again. It’s really great to raise an animal and see all the support at the end,” said Loretta Vogt.
