17th Roosevelt County Junior Livestock Sale the best yet, fair officials say

The 17th annual Roosevelt County Junior Livestock Sale kicked off with a patriotic feel as red and blue balloons were released. Auctioneer Arkie Kiehne and ring men Pete Paiz, Johnny Ogden and Bill Graham fired the crowd up as Brandi Paiz brought her Grand Champion steer into the sale ring. It was one of 54 animals sold throughout the evening.

The sale netted more than $130,000, with many members of the community and local businesses donating money for the youngsters who participated in the sale, according to fair officials.

The highest sale was for the Grand Champion dairy heifer shown by Joey Pinedo of Arch 4-H Club. Portales Livestock bought the heifer for $6,000.

Randy Bouldin of Portales Livestock purchased five of the eight dairy heifers that were sold. He also was a partner in the purchase of one lamb. After purchase, Bouldin keeps the heifers for breeding.

“I just want to support those kids that are growing heifers,” said Bouldin.

“It’s the business I’m in. I’ve been in it for 25 years, showing and buying,” he said.

For the first time, the yearling prospect Grand Champion colt was sold in the sale. A program started three years ago gives the owner the choice of taking $400 additional and keeping the horse, or selling it in the livestock sale, according to the Roosevelt County fairbook. The colt, raised by Shanna Anthony, Elida FFA, was bought by Gayland and Janice Cowen for $2,900.

“It felt pretty good to be the first one to sell a horse,” said Shanna. “I was pretty nervous.”

There were three things in the class, Shanna said, that could be done: to lunge, saddle or perform.

“I taught him to do all three. It took a couple of weeks,”said Shanna.

“She raised him and babied him since he was a baby,” said Shanna’s father, John Anthony.

Throughout the night, the animals sold for various amounts. There were approximately 150 buyers and supporters in attendance, said Jana Roberts, Junior Livestock Sale secretary.

“It went good. It was pretty steady with last year’s sale,” said Roberts.

“The excitement was better; this year the crowd was more into it. I think it was the best moving sale we’ve had.”