NEW CASTLE —
Cooler weather, blue skies and support of the agriculture industry were among reasons meat-buyers went to the fair early Saturday.
But most went to put their money behind the hard-working youths who had spent the year raising animals for this big week.
A continuous line of bidders waited to get their numbers, eager to raise them when the right animal entered the exhibit ring at the annual Junior Livestock Sale at the Lawrence County Fair.
Several hundred people packed into the show barn. There were not only buyers but family members, teachers, 4-H and FFA leaders and friends.
There were 237 animals were sold for meat, including beef, pigs, lambs, goats and rabbits.
Some buyers went to stock their freezers as a way to save.
But despite a struggling economy, the prices seemed to be higher than last year’s if the sale of the grand champion pig was any indication.
Shown by Scott Snyder of Volant, the 399-pound Yorkshire hog brought $8 per pound. The buyer was Cory Struchal of Slippery Rock, back a second time after buying a lamb last year.
“I’ve always been part of the agricultural community,” explained Struchal, who owns a grain farm. “I know most everybody here.”
The 4-H and FFA youths send letters to businesses and friends inviting them to attend the auction to bid on their animals. And although Struchal gets a letter every year, he would attend anyway.
“I just like to support the 4-H community,” he said.
Dan Murphy of Diamond Milling Co. in New Brighton also travels to Lawrence County to participate. He’s been a buyer for 15 years.
Saturday, he was hoping to buy a hog, a steer and a lamb at the sale.
His company sells feed to the students for their animals. He attended the sale with his family.
“We came up to give a little business back to them,” he said.
Fair director George Rodgers explained the youths who sell animals give about 4.25 percent of their sale back to the Junior Livestock Association so it can meet the costs of running the auction.
The rest — nearly 96 percent — they keep, and most of them invest the money in next year’s project, or put it into a college education fund.
Hundreds of local businesses participate, and some donate services each year for the auction, such as hauling and meat processing.
Each September, the 4-H, FFA and Junior Livestock Association sponsor an appreciation cookout at the fairgrounds for the buyers and supporters as a thank-you for their help.
This year’s event is planned for Sept. 16.
Lawrence County Fair
Photo Gallery, Story: Livestock auction caps county fair
- Lawrence County Fair
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One Last Look: Photo galleries, video and stories from the Lawrence County Fair
It was a week to remember. Plenty of food, fun and excitement took place at the Lawrence County Fair. Relive all the memories one more time.
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Photo Gallery, Story: Livestock auction caps county fair
Cooler weather, blue skies and support of the agriculture industry were among reasons meat-buyers went to the fair early Saturday. But most went to put their money behind the hard-working youths who had spent the year raising animals for this big week.
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Honors presented as fair ends
Every year, at least two youths stand out from the crowd at the Lawrence County Fair. That is especially true when it comes to dedication and involvement in 4-H and livestock. This year, Jocelyn Kelly of Wampum and Jenny Ratvasky of Volant were considered as among those by their peers and 4-H and FFA leaders.
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Photo Gallery, Story: Grand champion animals selected
The top-showing animals at the Lawrence County Fair and the youths who raised them were honored with banners and ribbons. Buyers at the Lawrence County Junior Livestock Sale Saturday paid for those winners as a way to support local 4-H and FFA youths and their endeavors.
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Wool fashions highlighted in sheep show
The beautiful possibilities of wool were on display Friday night at the Lawrence County Fair. About 200 people attended the annual Lead Line fashion show in the livestock arena, where children ages four to 18 and some adults modeled handmade woolen clothing in glorious variety.
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Photo Gallery, Story: Olympics help farm families pass time at fair
Even the county fair can get boring for farm kids who stay on the grounds all week. For them — and other interested youngsters — the “Farm Olympics” were born to add some fun with farm-themed contests.
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Lambs draw former resident baaaaack to area
For Joel Mariacher Jr., the Lawrence County Fair means coming home. The former Wampum/New Beaver-area resident flew in Tuesday morning to coordinate lamb showmanship. “It is a homecoming for me,” he said.
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Video, Photo Gallery: Cows, calves in fair’s spotlight
You wouldn’t expect to see a calf dressed as a soldier or a superhero. But calves in all sorts of get-ups — as well as costumed toddlers and children and young women in high heels — traipsed through the sawdust in the livestock show arena at the Lawrence County Fair last night to promote dairy products.
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Photo Gallery: Sam Luptak Jr.'s images from Wednesday at the fair
Plenty of food and fun prevailed Wednesday as the Lawrence County Fair continued with its 2012 edition. But don’t forget about all the cool rides! News correspondent Sam Luptak Jr. was on hand to capture a gallery of images.
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Photo Gallery: Tiffany Wolfe's images from Wednesday at the Lawrence County Fair
Plenty of food and fun prevailed Wednesday as the Lawrence County Fair continued with its 2012 edition. News correspondent Tiffany Wolfe was on hand to capture a gallery of images.
- More Lawrence County Fair Headlines
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