2009 FFA Market Animal Auction

     North Central Sales has been helping out at this event for several years, and it is something we all look forward to. This great event is always a blast to do, and to see our line of work benefit the greater community is a really great feeling for us. Congratulations to all that helped and participated in this event in the past and the years to come.

Market animal sale prices hold up well - Article by Antigo Daily journal

Aug. 1, 2009

Langlade County families and businesses anted up for youth Friday, supporting the annual market animal sale despite a tough economy.

“I always call this the Kentucky Derby of Langlade County,” auctioneer Duke Packard said. “The best of the best are here.”

Ninety-nine steers, lambs and swine were auctioned at the spirited sale, which drew a bidding war early between the Pinnacle Team of Thivent Financial and World of Wood for Amanda Rettinger’s reserve champion swine.

By the time Packard slapped the gavel, Pete Pennington of World of Wood owned the 277 pound pig for an astounding $9 per pound, double the price of the champion animal.

Pennington explained that he has always been a strong supporter of the sale, with an extra incentive this year because Rettinger is family and has only one year left in the program.

For her part, the exhibitor was ecstatic.

“This will help a lot in college,” her mother, Ruth, said.

Last year’s reserve champion went for $4.75 a pound.

The champion swine went for a still strong, but slightly more reasonable tally of $4.50 a pound. Shown by Michael Fillion, the 295 pound animal was purchased by Butch’s SuperValu with Pinnacle again the underbidder.

That compares to a 2008 price of $5.50 a pound.

Bob Stimac of Superior Grinding signed the ticket for the grand champion steer at $2.75 a pound. Madeline Matuszewski showed the 1,276 pound animal.

Reserve champion, a 1,190 pound steer shown by Nicole Solin, went to Quinlan’s Equipment for $2.25 a pound.

The 2008 champion and reserve brought $2.80 and $2.20 a pound.

The auction opened with the market lambs, and the stage was set quickly with spirited bidding with Copps Food Center buying Josiah Schulz’s champion for $5 a pound. The sheep weighed in at 130 pounds.

Amy Heistad’s reserve champion lamb, a 143-pound animal, was purchased by Joe Skarlupka for $4.25 a pound.

That compared to 2008 tallies of $7 for the champion and $4.60 for the reserve.

Packard repeatedly thanked the bidders and underbidders for their support.

“If we didn’t have the bidders, we wouldn’t have a sale,” he said. “We appreciate the bidding and have a nice auction at the Langlade County Fair.”

Complete results will be reported next week.