Melinda Stoltzfus of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, exhibited the Grand Champion Market Goat, which was purchased by Triple S Welding of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, at
$8.50 per pound. Pictured (L-R): Dale Stoltzfus, Melinda Stoltzfu
Through the dedication of local supporters, youth, parents, and volunteers, all overcoming a multitude of obstacles, a successful Chesco Junior Livestock Invitational Show and Sale was held from August 3-5, in Honey Brook, Pennsylvania.
In less than 30 days, the shows and sale were organized and executed, succeeding the cancellation of nearly all non-essential in-person events by Penn State Extension, which oversees the state 4-H program, paired with any virtual livestock sales not being permitted. Furthermore, Hurricane Isaias passed across the mid-Atlantic hitting many Southeast Pennsylvania counties during the days of the shows and sale.
“Not even Hurricane Isaias could dampen the spirits of the juniors participating,” said Betsy MacCauley, an organizer of the event. “Everyone joined together for a common cause – to hold a show and sale for the juniors who had the confidence, faith, and perseverance to purchase, feed, raise, and train their livestock in spite of all the chaos created by COVID-19.”
The substantial storms and heavy rain brought more than six inches of rain in a few short hours, resulting in a two-day power outage at the facility where the event was held, along with many nearby homes and businesses.
“This did not stop the event,” added MacCauley. “With the ingenuity of several adults, generators were brought in and the show arena was lit for the market hog show on Tuesday evening.
“For the sale on Wednesday, additional generators were brought in to ensure an adequate, stable power supply for the computer systems to run the sale.”
Ed Keeney of Red Lion, Pennsylvania, placed the youths’ market goats, breeding sheep, market lambs, breeding heifers, and market steers on Monday, August 3, with Drew Cashman of Elverson, Pennsylvania, judging the youths’ market hogs the following day, August 4.
The livestock sale on Wednesday, August 5, was comprised of 118 beef steers, hogs, lambs and goats generating $106,000. The sale averages included: market steers averaging $2.55 per pound, market hogs averaging $2.74 per pound, market lambs averaging $6.01 per pound, and market goats averaging $5.71 per pound.
The Grand Champion Market Steer exhibited by David Bell of Nottingham, Pennsylvania, was purchased by Herr Foods of Nottingham, Pennsylvania, for $2.50 per pound. The Grand Champion Market Steer was then generously donated by Herr Foods to the House of His Creation. A bid of $2.25 per pound by B
& R Excavating of Nottingham, Pennsylvania purchased the Reserve Grand Champion Steer, exhibited by Kaitlin Bell of Nottingham, Pennsylvania.
The Grand Champion Market Hog, exhibited by Kaitlin Bell of Nottingham, Pennsylvania, was purchased by John Rock, Inc. of Coatesville, Pennsylvania for $4.00 per pound. The Reserve Grand Champion Market Hog was exhibited by Melinda Stoltzfus of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, bringing $4.25 per pound by MidAtlantic Farm Credit, based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
The Grand Champion Market Lamb was exhibited by Kaitlin Bell of Nottingham, Pennsylvania, and was purchased by B & R Angus and B & R Excavating, both of Nottingham, Pennsylvania for a record setting
$21.00 per pound. Hannah Beiler of Gap, Pennsylvania, exhibited the Reserve Champion Market Lamb which sold to John Rock, Inc of Coatesville, Pennsylvania for $5.00 per pound.
Lastly, Melinda Stoltzfus of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, exhibited the Grand Champion Market Goat, which was purchased by Triple S Welding of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, at $8.50 per pound. Dale and Karen Stoltzfus of Gap, Pennsylvania, purchased the Reserve Grand Champion Market Goat for $8.00 per pound, which was exhibited by Payton Engle of Cochranville, Pennsylvania.
The youth use their proceeds from the sale to defray the costs of raising the animal, to sustain their small agricultural business, or to save for furthering their education.
“Without the dedication, help, and support of all the families, juniors, parents, volunteers, and especially the buyers, the Chesco Junior Livestock Invitational Show and Sale would not have been such a resounding success,” stated MacCauley. “And this success is the sum of small efforts by many before, during and after this year’s event.”
