Roosevelt County junior livestock sale numbers up

Argen Duncan: Portales News-Tribune Layni Breshears of Dora FFA shows her Grand Champion pig off to buyers at the Roosevelt County Fair Junior Livestock Sale on Friday evening. Fifty-four FFA and 4-H members had a slot in the sale.

The community clapped as the auctioneer called, and 54 young people saw their hard work pay off at the Roosevelt County Fair Junior Livestock Sale on Friday night.

The sale brought in $162,500, not including add-ons, said sale secretary Joy Levacy. “Add-ons” are set amounts of money donors give to add on to prices the animals bring at auction.

“We had a terrific sale,” Levacy said.

This year’s sale alone took in more than $3,000 above last year’s grand total, which was down from 2008.

“I think it’s great,” Dora FFA member Layni Breshears, 16, said of the sale. “It’s a great way for the community to get to know people around here and help us out and support us.”

Breshears sold her grand champion pig for $3,000, well above its $140 market value. She said her usual practice is to put her earnings back into show animals and supplies the next year, and one day, she’ll use it for college.

Her pigs are like puppy dogs to her, Breshears said, and she tries not to think about it when she sells them.

Among the buyers, Snelling Staffing and DairiConcepts helped purchase a dairy heifer.

“You buy to help out the 4-H, help the kids with all their hard work,” said Peggy Goolsby of Snelling Staffing.

Kathy Shafer of DairiConcepts said buying animals shows support for future community leaders.

Animals winning grand champion, reserve grand champion and first place in their breed or class are eligible for the sale, said Patia O’Connor of the fair office. If someone drops out of the sale, the animal with the next highest placing can fill the slot.

Sellers are limited to one animal.

Laneith Chenault, 14, of Elida FFA said the sale was fun. He sold a lamb that placed second in its class, and said he’s not attached to his animals, so it doesn’t bother him to see them go.

Last year, Chenault said, he bought a horse with sale money. This year, he said he would probably give the money to his parents.

“It’s nice of (the buyers) to come out here to support us for showing the sheep,” Chenault said.