Best rate of gain

SMITHFIELD — The 152nd Jefferson County Fair theme, “Respecting Our Roots, Planting For Our Future,” honored the history of the fair, while paying tribute to its past, current and future supporters.

Fair board President Ray Hilderbrand opened the fair by honoring armed services veterans, who served as the grand marshals of the fair’s parade.

“These veterans maintain a very nice memorial display here on our fairgrounds,” he said. “It is only right that we honor their service and thank them for providing a place here where all servicemen and women can feel appreciated.”

Hilderbrand said in addition to honoring the veterans, the junior fair sale was another highlight.

“Overall, the junior fair livestock sale broke the record at more than $496,000,” he said. “These kids exhibit here because they love doing it; and they are in the show ring representing their families. Some of them come from many generations of exhibitors at this fair.”

Grand champion best bred Jefferson County steer

The 2023 Jefferson County Junior Fair market livestock sale total exceeded the 2022 record by more than $30,000.

“These kids are the future pillars of this community,” Hilderbrand said. “We are grateful to the buyers who come out to invest in them and their projects. Those buyers are investing in the future of this community by showing up here. The buyers and kids set a few records; and there was even a heartfelt donation to the Zane Carson memorial scholarship fund. Cole Saiter of the Friends and Neighbors 4-H Club sold his market lamb for $23 per pound and donated all the proceeds in the memory of his friend. These junior fair youth, they understand the meaning of community.”

Sale totals included:

Market Steers

(Average with champions, $4.31 per pound; average without grand and reserve, $3.92 per pound; average without Top 5, $3.73 per pound)

Grand champion dairy steer

• Grand champion: Exhibited by Hannah Randolph of the Wildwood Critters 4-H Club and sold for $12.50 per pound, with a weight of 1,461 pounds, setting a sale record. The buyer was Van’s Iron and Metal.

• Reserve champion: Exhibited by Bailey Harris of the Wildwood Critters 4-H Club and sold for $5 per pound, with a weight of 1,268 pounds. The buyer was Team Automotive.

• Third overall: Exhibited by Caroline Rinkes of the Windy Ridge 4-H Club and sold for $3.75 a pound, with a weight of 1,444 pounds. The buyers were Gary and Denise Rinkes and Josh Rinkes of Angus Farm.

• Fourth overall: Exhibited by Caroline Rinkes of the Windy Ridge 4-H Club and sold for $4 a pound, with a weight of 1,243 pounds. The buyer was Rinkes Show Cattle.

•Fifth overall: Exhibited by Shelby Robinson of the Buckeye Variety Livestock 4-H Club and sold for $8 a pound, with a weight of 1,343 pounds. The buyer was RanchWorx Pasture Aerators.

Grand champion goat

• Grand champion, Jefferson County best bred: Exhibited by Carly Long of the Country Rangers 4-H Club and sold for $4.25 per pound, with a weight of 1,344 pounds. The buyer was Hidden Hollow Farm.

• Reserve champion, Jefferson County best bred: Exhibited by Coleman Granatir of the Country Rangers 4-H Club and sold for $3.25 per pound, with a weight of 1,505 pounds. The buyer was DeNoon Lumber.

• Jefferson County best rate of gain: Exhibited by Alexander Newburn of the Banners and Buckles 4-H Club and sold for $3 per pound, with a weight of 1,352 pounds. The buyer was Custom Drilling Services Inc.

Market Dairy Steers

(Average was $2.23 per pound)

Grand champion market hog

• Grand champion: Exhibited by Corissa Griffith of the Windy Ridge 4-H Club and sold for $2.20 per pound, with a weight of 1,427 pounds. The buyer was Jefferson Landmark.

• Reserve champion: Exhibited by Grace Browning of the Buckeye Variety Livestock 4-H Club and sold for $2.24 per pound, with a weight of 1,398 pounds. The buyer was Reynard’s Redline Ranch.

Market Hogs

(Average with champions, $7.15 per pound; average without grand and reserve, $6.99 per pound; average without Top 5, $7 per pound)

• Grand champion: Exhibited by: Cameron Best of the Free Spirits 4-H Club and sold for $19.50 per pound, with a weight of 263 pounds. The buyer was Enino Energy.)

Grand champion market lamb

• Reserve champion: Exhibited by Blair Allison of the Wildwood Critters 4-H Club and sold for $15 per pound, with a weight of 274 pounds. The buyer was Murrays Restaurant.

• Third overall: Exhibited by Jaxon Wiley of the Buckeye Variety Livestock 4-H Club and sold for $8 per pound, with a weight of 256 pounds. The buyer was Consumer’s National Bank.

• Fourth overall: Exhibited by Amanda Boring of the Wildwood Critters 4-H Club, and sold for $5.50 per pound, with a weight of 295 pounds. The buyer was Jefferson Landmark.

• Fifth overall: Exhibited by LeeAnna Horstman of the Wildwood Critters 4-H Club and sold for $6 per pound, with a weight of 246 pounds. The buyer was D&J Sales and Service.

Steer Feeder Calves

• Grand champion: Exhibited by Caroline Rinkes of the Windy Ridge 4-H Club. Did not sell.

• Reserve champion: Exhibited by Boady (Evan) Wood of the Buckeye Variety Livestock 4-H Club. Did not sell.

• Third overall: Exhibited by Caroline Rinkes of the Windy Ridge 4-H Club. Did not sell.

• Fourth overall: Exhibited by Carly Long of the Country Rangers 4-H Club. Did not sell.

• Fifth overall: Exhibited by Carly Long of the Country Rangers 4-H Club. Did not sell.

Heifer Feeder Calves

• Grand champion: Exhibited by Boady (Evan) Wood of the Buckeye Variety Livestock 4-H Club. Did not sell.

• Reserve champion: Exhibited by Caroline Rinkes of the Windy Ridge 4-H Club. Did not sell.

• Third overall: Exhibited by Cameron Best of the Free Spirits 4-H Club. Did not sell.

• Fourth overall: Exhibited by Cameron Best of the Free Spirits 4-H Club. Did not sell.

• Fifth overall: Exhibited by Addie Erwin of the Windy Ridge 4-H Club. Did not sell.

Dairy Beef Feeders

(Average with champions, $2.93 per pound; average without grand and reserve $2.92 pound; average without Top 5, $2.92 per pound)

• Grand Champion: Exhibited by Corissa Griffith of the Windy Ridge 4-H Club. Did not sell.

• Reserve champion: Exhibited by Reece Furmanski of the Purple Circle 4-H Club and sold for $3 per pound, with a weight of 490 pounds. The buyer was Jefferson Landmark.

• Third overall: Exhibited by Corissa Griffith of the Windy Ridge 4-H Club and sold for $3.25 a pound, with a weight of 686 pounds. The buyer was Hidden Hollow Farm

• Fourth overall: Exhibited by Collin Newburn of the Banners and Buckles 4-H Club and sold for $2.75 per pound, with a weight of 581 pounds. The buyer was D&J Sales and Service.

• Fifth overall: Exhibited by Kendall Barker of the Buckeye Variety Livestock 4-H Club and sold for $2.75 per pound, with a weight of 581 pounds. The buyer was Denoon Lumber.

Market goats

(Average with champions, $901.56; average without grand and reserve, $744.64; average without Top 5, $779.55)

• Grand champion: Exhibited by Jacob Rinkes of the Windy Ridge 4-H Club and sold for $2,350. The buyer was Kam Trucking.

• Reserve champion: Exhibited by Wesley Moore of the Buckeye Variety Livestock 4-H Club and sold for $1,650. The buyer was Petrella Wealth Management.

• Third overall: Exhibited by Amelia Flory of the Country Classics 4-H Club and sold for $425. The buyer was Harris F&S.

• Fourth overall: Exhibited By: Logan Fomenko of the Country Classics 4-H Club and sold for $725. The buyer was Bonecutter Drilling.

• Fifth overall: Exhibited by Landen Bailey of the 43 Ramblers 4-H Club and sold for $700. The buyer was Hard Rock Farm Boer Goats.

Market sheep

(Average with champions, $12.32 per pound; average without grand and reserve, $10.12 per pound; average without the Top 5, $10.21 per pound)

• Grand champion: Exhibited by Alexis Rager, an independent exhibitor, and sold for $35 a pound, with a weight of 140 pounds. The buyer was Jacobs Petroleum.

• Exhibited by Caleb Miller of the Windy Ridge 4-H Club and sold for $27 per pound, with a weight of 149 pounds. The buyer was Williams Energy.

• Third overall: Exhibited by Stella Miller of the Windy Ridge 4-H Club and sold for $11 per pound, with a weight of 127 pounds. The buyer was Big 4 Development.

• Fourth overall: Exhibited by Alexis Rager, an independent exhibitor, and sold for $9 per pound, with a weight of 152 pounds. The buyer was Toni Moreland, State Farm.

• Fifth overall: Exhibited by Grace Miller of the Windy Ridge 4-H Club and sold for $9 per pound, with a weight of 136 pounds. The buyer was Michelle Taylor.

Market chickens

(Pen of 3)

(Average with champions, $460 per pen; average without grand and reserve, $398.21 a pen; average without Top 5, $400 per pen)

• Grand champion: Exhibited by Mekenzie Everhart of Broken Fences 4-H Club and sold for $1,800 for the pen. The buyer was Limitless Pools and Spas.

• Reserve champion: Exhibited by Jordan Everhart of the Broken Fences 4-H Club and sold for $850 for the pen. The buyer was Encino Energy.

• Third overall: Exhibited by Ava McAllister of the Happy Hooves and Fancy Feathers 4-H Club and sold for $400 for the pen. The buyer was Aftanas Logging.

• Fourth overall: Exhibited by Jordan Everhart of the Broken Fences 4-H Club and sold for $375 for the pen. The buyer was Allen Oil/Quik Mart.

• Fifth overall: Exhibited by Kason Stackhouse of the Steubenville City Seedlings 4-H Club and sold for $375 for the pen. The buyer was Friend Veterinary Services.

Market ducks

(Pen of 2)

(Average with champions, $712.50 a pen; average without grand and reserve, $505 a pen; average without Top 5, $471.43 a pen)

• Grand champion: Exhibited by Joseph Taylor of the 4-H Varieties 4-H Club and sold for $2,000 for the pen. The buyer was Williams Energy.

• Reserve champion: Exhibited by Madison Taylor of the 4-H Varieties 4-H Club and sold for $1,500 for the pen. The buyer was Petrella Wealth Management.

• Third overall: Exhibited by Noah Graham of the 4-H Varieties 4-H Club and sold for $525 for the pen. The buyer was A&G Sanitation.

• Fourth overall: Exhibited by Johanna George of the Town and Country 4-H Club and sold for $600 for the pen. The buyer was Ray Freund.

• Fifth overall: Exhibited by Noah Graham of the 4-H Varieties 4-H Club and sold for $625 for the pen. The buyer was Petrella Wealth Management.

Market turkeys

(Average with champions, $726.67; average without grand and reserve, $592.31; average without Top 5, $550.00)

• Grand champion: Exhibited by Jacob Rinkes of the Windy Ridge 4-H Club and sold for $1,900. The buyer was Petrella Brothers Village Sleep Center.

• Reserve champion: Exhibited by Kassidy George of the Town and Country 4-H Club and sold for $1,300. The buyer was Encino Energy.

• Third overall: Exhibited by Kassidy George of the Town and Country 4-H Club and sold for $1,000. The buyer was Cardinal Operating Co.

• Fourth overall: Exhibited by Haylee Brown of the 4-H Varieties 4-H Club and sold for $700. The buyer was Countryside Kennels.

• Fifth overall: Exhibited by Damian Richards of the Country Rangers 4-H Club and sold for $500. The buyer was John and Donna Parkinson.

Market rabbits

(Pen of 3)

(Average with champions, $441.25 per pen; average without grand and reserve, $368.57 per pen; average without Top 5, $341.82 per pen)

• Grand champion: Exhibited by Lane Keyoski, an independent exhibitor and sold for $1,100 for the pen. The buyer was MPLX.

• Reserve champion: Exhibited by Alayna Starr of the Happy Hooves and Fancy Feathers 4-H Club and sold for $800 for the pen. The buyer was Harris F&S.

• Third overall: Exhibited by Lane Keyoski, an independent exhibitor, and sold for $500 for the pen. The buyer was Crestview Veterinary Clinic.

• Fourth overall: Exhibited by Josephine Proffitt of the Broken Fences 4-H Club and sold for $500 for the pen. The buyer was Jefferson Landmark.

• Fifth overall: Exhibited by Josephine Proffitt of the Broken Fences 4-H Club and sold for $400 for the pen. The buyer was Williams Energy.

Most outstanding exhibitor

The following individuals were recognized as the Jefferson County Most Outstanding Exhibitor recipients:

• Horse – Allison Bell, Country Classics

• Hogs – Connor Best, Free Spirits

• Dairy – Corissa Griffith, Windy Ridge

• Beef – Kaitlynn Merkel, Country Rangers

• Rabbits – Olivia Dudley, Sunrise Rascals

• Goats – Leila Sudvary, Broken Fences

• Small Animal – Christian Hoffman, Steubenville City Seedling

• Sheep – Kaitlynn Merkel, Country Rangers

• Poultry – Mihaela Petric, Town & Country

• Dog – Clara Hoffman, Steubenville City Seedlings

Grand champion market steer

Grand champion pen of ducks

Grand champion pen of market chickens

Grand champion rabbit

Grand champion turkey