Jr. Fair hog, beef auction sets new records

WELLINGTON – Saturday was a profitable day for Lorain County Junior Fair kids. The market hog and market beef auctions set new records, netting their 4-Hers thousands of dollars. For Peter Howard III, 15, his Grand Champion market hog netted him $24 per pound, totaling $6,480 for the Spencer teen and a new record for the Junior Fair. Peter broke last year's record of $23 per pound, set when Farkas Farms and K and L Processing/White Oak Ranch Market bought Emily Kiser's champion hog. It was a lot of work, Peter and his father, PJ Howard, said, the summer spent in the family's barn — something he's been doing since he was about 5 years old. "They walk pigs every day, they wash, tan – it's an everyday thing for all the kids in there," PJ Howard said. "The bigger animals aren't as easy as the smaller animals in a cage. You're out exercising and getting ready for showmanship stuff. It's a lot of work." Peter is a member of Saddle-Lites 4-H Club of Lorain County and plans to put his earnings toward next year's project. Bryner Lawncare, Landscaping and Concrete bought Peter's hog. Ezekiel Dvorak's Reserve Champion market hog sold for $20 per pound to North Central Ohio Building Trades. The Laborers Local 758 and Workers Local 33 split the $5,340 purchase. Ezekiel, 14, said he and his siblings worked all summer – something they're no stranger to having raised market hogs since he was 9 years old. "It feels good, me and my brother and sister worked all summer for it … we all enjoy it," he said. The New London teen is a member of Brighton Buckeyes of Lorain County 4-H club. He plans to save the money to buy a farm. Market beef Patrick Finnegan's Dairy Beef Grand Champion brought him $3.25 per pound, putting $5,859.75 in his pocket from buyer Ohio Roofing, Siding and Slate. Patrick, 14, won Reserve Champion last year, and said he wasn't expecting to take home the top prize this year. "I thought my brother had a better one, originally," he said. "I knew I had a good one, I just didn't expect him to beat my older brother's one. It comes down to how they look that day." He plans to split the money between next year's project and buying a truck. Patrick is a member of Pitchfork Pals 4-H Club. Tristan Born's Dairy Beef Reserve Champion sold for $3.75 per pound to Strong Construction and K and L Processing. The 17-year-old brought home $5,981.25 and plans to use it to attend a diesel mechanic trade school in Indiana. He said he's been showing steer for about four years, but has always had livestock at home on the family's farm. Tristan is a member of Farm Strong 4-H Club. Kelsie Davis' Modern Beef Reserve Champion sold for $6 per pound to Keller Meats — something she never thought would happen. "It's unbelievable," she said. "As a little kid I never thought I'd be up here. I thought I was always going to have some crummy calves that people don't like to look at." She's said she's been showing steers since she was 8 years old. Now 15, this is her first champion animal. She plans to put her earnings toward next year's project and buy better stock. Kelsie is a member of Born In A Barn 4-H Club. Jessica Forthofer's Lottery Grand Champion steer set another record, netting the teen $11.50 per pound. North Central Ohio Building Trades bought the 1,393-pound steer – the Laborers Local 758 and Workers Local 33 split the $16,019.50 purchase. The record was $10.50 set in 2021 when Mezurek Buyer Group No. 2 purchased Chance Mezurek's Grand Champion steer. Morgan Adkins' Lottery Reserve Champion sold for $6.50 per pound, bringing in $9,431.50, purchased by Ross Environmental. Both girls are members of the Lorain County Steer Club. Peyton Pickering's Modern Beef Grand Champion sold to M and R Truck Service for $8.25 per pound, bringing her $12,342. Peyton is a member of Rochester Winning Workers 4-H club. The total sale price for the two market hogs has been corrected in this story. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.