Aug 8, 2013 3 min read

WAYNESBURG – It was a precedent-setting night at the fair Thursday during the 2013 Greene County 4-H and Future Farmers of America Market Lamb and Steer Auction.

The night kicked off with the grand champion lamb of Jamie Patton, 17, of Waynesburg, shattering the all-time per pound record of $26 per pound. Patton’s 120 pound lamb, Specs, was purchased at $37 per pound by Basic Energy Services who turned around and donated it back to the Corner Cupboard Food Bank.

Patton’s facial expressions were priceless in the ring as the bidding went higher and higher.

“I knew the record was $26. That is why I said, ‘Oh my God,’ when it hit $37,” she said. “Basic Energy has supported me all of my years of 4-H. It is the third year they have bought it (her lamb). It is the first year my lamb has ever went that big.”

The record held for about an hour. The 123-pound lamb of Mackenzie Wise was purchased by Bill Wise Excavating for one dollar more per pound.

When Corner Cupboard Food Bank Director Jan Caldwell heard of the generosity of Basic Energy Services, she was understandably thrilled.

“That is wonderful. Thanks to the individuals involved for their generosity many Greene County families in need of food assistance will benefit from their gift,” she said. “Our mission is to make sure no one goes to bed hungry. We thank you.”

The giving didn’t end with Patton’s lamb. It was a night when more than a dozen lambs were purchased and donated back to be resold at the auction with the proceeds going to the Greene County 4-H Scholarship Fund. Multiple lambs were donated back to be resold with proceeds donated to the American Cancer Society, hospice services, The Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Associations, the 4-H buyer’s banquet and the Buck Shumaker Scholarship, which are available to Greene County 4-H members in the market lamb and market steer clubs. The 4-Hers during both the lamb and steer sales were also very generous, donating portions of their selling price in memory of family members and friends to various causes; such as the Diabetes Association and the American Cancer Society.

The numbers stayed high throughout the bidding for the 64 lambs on the auction block with nothing going for less than $6 per pound. The 130-pound reserve grand champion of Hayden Demniak brought in $16 per pound from Ransom Drilling Services.

The most a lamb sold for overall was $4,788. That was a 133-pounder owned by Kolby Smith that went to R.M. Manufacturing for $36 per pound.

Reaching the market steer portion of the auction, the numbers still impressed the crowd with nothing going below $2.50 per pound.

“I can’t believe how well these numbers are holding. It is amazing,” said Greene County Commissioner Archie Trader when nearly all 37 steers had been sold.

The grand champion and champion heavyweight steer garnered $9 per pound for Benjamin Archer from Elite Midstream, Inc. At 1,364 pounds it brought in a hefty $12,276. The reserve grand champion steer shown by Kaitlyn Jones was sold for $5.50 per pound to David Benamati of Waynesburg.

Next up will be the Greene County 4-H and FFA Market Hog Show and auction to be held on Oct. 19 at the fairgrounds. The show will begin at 1 p.m. and the auction will follow at 7 p.m.