MITCHELL – Final figures from the sale committee show that buyers attending the 2017 Scotts Bluff County Fair Junior Livestock sale, held Saturday, Aug. 5, in Mitchell, paid a total of $320,708 for 211 animals. More than 200 buyer numbers were issued to businesses and individuals from the community.
The 44 beef animals sold for a total of $166,252, for an average of $3,778 per head. The Grand Champion steer was sold by Carson Wilmot to Otte Feeds, Sheridan County Livestock, Eagle Chevrolet, Kemp Cattle Company, Security First Bank, and Sterling Livestock for $6 per pound. The Reserve Champion beef was sold by Carson Wilmot to Transwest for $3.25 per pound.
The large group in the sale was the hogs with 85 head sold for $84,235, with an average of $991 per head. The Grand Champion hog was sold by Parker Yost to Platte Valley Bank for $4 per pound, and the Reserve Champion shown by Jayden Allen was sold to Murdoch’s for $3.50 per pound.

The 40 lambs in this year’s sale sold for $40,704 for an average of $1,018 per head. The Grand Champion lamb was shown by Sydnee Strain and sold to Steve’s Truck and Equipment at $17 per pound. The Reserve Champion lamb was sold by Kate Pieper to Wolf Auto Center for $15 per pound.
This year, goats were divided into two groups, with a distinction between meat goats and the market dairy goats. The 20 meat goats sold for an average of $761, or a total of $15,218. The Grand Champion meat goat was sold by Jayden Allen to Gene and Ann Welsh for $17 per pound. The Reserve Champion meat goat, owned by Aspen Jagers, went to the Business Farmer for $10 per pound. The seven dairy goats sold for $4,061 for an average of $580 per head. The Grand Champion market dairy goat was shown by Demi Santero and sold for $8 per pound to Western States Bank.
Six rabbit lots were sold this year for $2,525, or an average of $421 each. Patricia Woolsey sold the Grand Champion rabbit to Lessert Insurance for $550. The Reserve Champion rabbit was sold by Stephanie Woolsey to Animal Health International for $450.
The poultry show brought nine animals to the sale with an average price paid of $461. Total poultry sales were $4,150. Jonah Splichal sold the Grand Champion poultry entry for $800 to Deines Irrigation. The Reserve Champion poultry entry was sold by Tucker Hodsden to Great Western Bank for $500.
The sale had 21 fewer animals than 2016, leading to a reduction in overall proceeds from $347,109 to $320,708, for a reduction of $26,401. However, the average price per animal remained strong at $1,520 per head, up from $1,496 per head in 2016.