The N.C. State Fair Junior Livestock Sale of Champions, held on October 26, generated $214,830 in bids for top junior market animals including steers, barrows, lambs, goats and turkeys.
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said, “The Sale of Champions not only gives us an opportunity to recognize the winners in the N.C. State Fair junior livestock shows, but a portion of every winning bid also goes to scholarships available to all junior livestock show participants. Congratulations to all those livestock participants and winners, and thanks to all the bidders who make the sale possible.”
Brody Coleman of Davidson (Mecklenburg) exhibited the grand champion junior market steer, which received a $20,000 bid from N.C. Farm Bureau Insurance and Powers Great American Midways. Hannah Hooker of Mt. Airy (Surry) showed the grand champion Got to Be NC junior market steer with a top bid of $19,000 from several sponsors including N.C. Farm Bureau Insurance and others.
Michelle Hartman of Walnut Cove (Stokes) presented the reserve grand champion junior market steer with a $16,000 winning bid from N.C. Farm Bureau Insurance and Tractor Supply Co., along with additional support.
Dylan Briley of Greenville (Pitt) won grand champion junior market barrow honors; Agri Supply and other companies placed a $30,000 winning bid. Billie Faith Fulcher of Godwin (Cumberland) showed the reserve grand champion barrow that sold for $25,000.
Hesston Meadows of Leicester (Buncombe) showed the grand champion junior market lamb; it sold for $16,000. Charley Jennings of Raleigh (Wake) exhibited the grand champion Got to Be NC lamb with another $16,000 top bid.
Zade Jennings of Kenly (Johnston), who showed both reserve grand champion lamb ($15,000 winning bid) and grand champion meat goat ($15,000), also exhibited this year’s grand champion market turkey ($8,500). Adelyn Hemilright of Columbia (Tyrrell) took both titles in her category—grand and reserve grand champion junior market meat goat—with a combined winning bid of $16,000.
Joleen Windsor of Madison (Rockingham) showed the reserve grand champion turkey that brought in $5,000.
Bryson Baldwin of Statesville (Iredell) was recognized as Supreme Dairy Female exhibitor; his animal earned a winning bid of $12,500 contributed by multiple agricultural organizations.
Two gift items auctioned during the event raised an additional $830.
Grand and reserve champions receive money from these sales; part is set aside for scholarships open to all youth participating in livestock shows at the fair. This year’s strong sale supported 30 scholarships worth $2,000 each awarded earlier in spring 2024.
