Youth Net Huge Profits at Sale of Champions

Auction raises funds for education, agribusiness Phoenix, Arizona, Sales went through the barn roof at the 21st annual Junior Livestock Sale of Champions at the Arizona State Fair. Revenues increased last years totals by more than 27 percent at the auction of the sixteen top ranked animals, Grand Champions and Reserve Grand Champions. In addition, Dairy Futurity brought in winning bids totaling 16 percent higher than 2010. After a week of animal wrangling, showmanship, and judging, youths were able to reap the benefits of their hard work in a big way. Jamie Arias, Jr. of Eastside Kids 4H in Chandler broke a Fair record, selling his Grand Champion Turkey for $2,365. Other top selling animals included a Grand Champion Market Goat sold by Meg VanRijn of Mesas Eastside 4H sold for $5,000 and a Grand Champion Steer sold by Kelsee Ferris of Tucsons Starr Pass 4H sold for $4,000. Proceeds from the annual sale benefit young exhibitors between 9-19 years old who raised the prize-winning animals. With the support of the auction sponsors, kids can continue in 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) programs and use the funds as a scholarship for further education. This is about kids getting a real-life understanding of the business of livestock and agriculture. They learn how to bring an animal to market and what traits make an animal valuable in the marketplace, says Karen Searle, Livestock Director for the Arizona State Fair. 228 youths from 10 counties across Arizona brought nearly 1,000 animals for showing and judging. Animals are judged during the course of the Fair and the champions of each division cows, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, pigeons, and rabbits are then auctioned at the Sale of Champions. Proceeds benefit Arizona youth involved in agricultural projects. The youths use the money from the auction for their college funds and to finance further livestock projects. The 2011 annual Arizona State Fair, running from October 14 to November 6 (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays), hosts a variety of fun-filled attractions, activities and rides for all ages at its traditional location at 19th Avenue and McDowell Road in Phoenix.