These eight Hopkins County 4-H and FFA members , who participated in the Dairy Classic Heifer Program, were able
to sell their projects at a premium, at Thursday's sale, because of the support of local businesses.
Local Business Provides Premiums For Youth
At Dairy Classic Sale, Thursday
by: Bobby McDonald
The final event of the 2010 Hopkins County Dairy Festival got underway at 2:00 p.m., on Thursday, as local youth sold the heifers that they had raised for approximately 6 months to a year, at the Sulphur Springs Dairy Auction. The Dairy Classic Heifer Sale provided an outlet for the youth to sell their animals and realize a profit, due to the gracious support of local business. "We just want to thank all of our buyers and supporters," expressed Amy Bowen, Chairman of the local Dairy Classic Program. "Without their support, this project would not be available to our local youth and the kids learn so much from raising, fitting, and showing these animals!"
Thursday's sale featured the heifers selling in order of their placing at last Saturday's show, in the Hopkins County Civic Center, as part of the Northeast Texas Dairy Show. The animals had been placed by judge, Leo Hoff, Jr., of Windthorst, Texas, as a class at the show and reflected the quality and care that the animals had received, by the youth who had selected and cared for them. "Youth learn selection, responsibility and an overall appreciation for the dairy industry," expressed Juli Hutchins, Hopkins County 4-H Agent. "It's a project that youth can see a direct results of their efforts and gain knowledge about animal care and the dairy business, in all of its facets. Here in Hopkins County, it is a project that highlights our number one agricultural enterprise and prepares youth for a career in the industry, if they choose to follow that path!"
Mike Laegschaar prepares his Grand Champion Heifer for Thursday's
Sale at Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission Company.
Leading the first animal in the ring was Mike Laegaschaar, of the Como-Pickton FFA, who exhibited the Grand Champion Dairy Classic Heifer, at last Saturday's Show. His champion animal, selected for her breeding as a registered Holstein, and with at least two generations of A.I. breeding, demanded a price of $2,100.00 from buyer Feeder's Supply. Laegaschaar planned to "buy back" the animal at the $700.00 "floor price" and use her for breeding in his own dairy herd. Mike, who lives on a dairy farm in the Southeastern section of Hopkins County, plans to pursue a dairy career, as he builds a herd within the family dairy farm. "It's great to be able to encourage these youth in this project and help them to realize their dreams," expressed Bill Zahn, buyer, for Feeder's Supply. "This is not only the future of the dairy industry, right here before us, but they represent the future of all of our dairy related industries in Hopkins County!"
Como-Pickton FFA member, Mike Lageschaar leads his Grand Champion
Classic Heifer into the ring at Thursday's sale.
Buster Hayward, of the Hopkins County 4-H, then led his Reserve Grand Champion heifer into the sale ring and she demanded a price of $1,5000.00, from Shawn Massey Equipment and Welding.
Other entries and their owners and buyers include:
Heath Howard, Como-Pickton FFA, $1,500.00, purchased by Crystal Feed Mill.
Colton Price, Hopkins County 4-H, $1,600.00, purchased by Crystal Feed Mill.
Breanna Bowen, Hopkins County 4-H, $1,600.00, purchased by Farm Country.
Brent Haywood leads his Reserve Champion Dairy Classic Heifer into the
ring at Thursday's sale.
Ben Stowater, Hopkins County 4-H, $1,500.00, purchased by Alliance Bank and Northeast Texas Farmers Coop.
Brooke Hayward, Hopkins County 4-H, $1,500.00, purchased by Alliance Bank.
Spencer Brewer, Hopkins County 4-H, $1,600.00, purchased by City National Bank.
Additionally, the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Board and Hopkins County Vet Clinic, each added $100.00 to the buyer's premium of each animal, Dairy Health Services added $50.00 to each animal, and Kim Price added $50.00 to each animal, for a total of $300.00 "add-on" money for each entry. Additionally, Humphrey and Humphrey Dairy awarded a $50.00 premium to each member of the Como-Pickton FFA Chapter.
"Again, we can't thank our sponsors and local businesses enough, for helping these youth realize the completion of this project, and make a success of their efforts," inserted Amy Bowen. "Hopkins County is a great place to raise a family and is always supporting the youth, to make certain that our future is strong!"
Congratulations,
Dairy Classic Winners!!!
Dairy Classic Heifers were shown at last Saturday's Northeast Texas Dairy Show, and placed by Judge, Leo Hoff, Jr., to determine
the sale order, for Thursday's sale.
_____