Presley Zehring sold her grand champion beef steer for $10,325. InkFreeNews Photos by Deb Patterson.

By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County 4-H Fair came to a close Friday, July 15, for the 4-H’ers who had livestock projects. The 2021 4-H Livestock Auction began at 10 a.m. With the sale of champions immediately followed by the general livestock Auction.

This year, there were 13 grand and reserve grand champion animals sold, along with the annual 4-H king and queen kisses.

Arrington Krull marks the spot where the winner of the queen’s kiss will have to stand.

As what seemed to be the trend the last several years, the 4-H King and Queen had a little fun prior to their kisses being auctioned off.

The 4-H Queen, Arrington Krull, daughter of Shawn and Lissa Krull, set up a little display with a check-off list. She noted the 2020-2021 4-H Queen Pre Kiss COVID requirements included social distance and disinfectant, noting that safety was first. Using a yardstick she put an X for the kiss recipient and an X where she would stand. She then used disinfectant spray to spray the area they would be standing, before putting on a pair of gloves and a mask. After marking off her check list the bidding began.

In the end the Friends of Arrington Krull purchased the special kiss for $2,800. The money will go to the goat and beef barns.

Her grandfather, Hubert Krull, was the recipient and honoring his granddaughter’s wishes, stood on his X and reached over to give her a high five. But that only lasted a few minutes, before the two shared a hug. Grandma, Beth Krull, joined in and both grandparents were able to give their daughter special kisses. But in return, grandma received her favorite smoothie and grandpa received a box of his favorite gumdrop cookies.

While 4-H King Cameron Zimmerman, son of John and Peg Zimmerman, didn’t have any props, there was a lot of fun with his mullet and mention that girls were lined up around the barn to get a kiss from him. He flipped his red hair around and got out the chapstick in preparation for his big task. But the real fun came when it was learned that the recipient of his kiss, his mother, was the third choice.

It was noted that his first choice was his prize gilt pig, Sarah, but she had to return to the farm. His next choice was his dog, Sadie. But she only likes certain people. Next in line was his mother, Peg, who proudly accepted the honor.

The 4-H King Kiss raised $2,705 for the swine barn.

Cameron Zimmerman applies some chap stick for the king’s kiss.

The Sale Of Champions brought in approximately $41,132. The auction listing 28 lots of dairy products were auctioned, 80 lots of swine, 24 lots of specialty goats, 31 lots of dairy goat products, 21 lots of sheep, 86 lots of poultry, 28 lots of beef, 34 lots of dairy calf feeder steers, 15 lots of dairy steers and 15 lots of rabbits.

Final totals of the auction will be released early next week.

The preliminary results of the sale of champions are:

The grand champion market turkey was sold for $650. The turkey was exhibited by Lucas Vargo, son of Scott and Dawn Vargo. He is a member of Mentone United 4-H Club.

Presley Zehring, daughter of Brian and Janel Zehring, sold her grand champion beef steer, a Maine Anjou for $10,325. She is a member of the Leesburg Mighty Farmers.

The reserve grand champion beef steer, also a Maine Anjou, was exhibited by Nash Bouse, son of Tyler and Missy Bouse. The steer sold for $5,870. He is a member of the Leesburg Mighty Farmers.

The grand champion rabbit meat pen was sold for $1,650. Elizabeth Schmidt, a 10-year 4-H’er, exhibited the grand champions. She is the daughter of James and April Schmidt and a member of the Leesburg Mighty Farmers.

Haley Nelson, daughter of Scott and Jenny Nelson, had the reserve grand champion barrow. It sold for $6,225. She is a member of the Mentone United 4-H Club.

Sydney Peterson, daughter of Mike and Sarah Petersen, sold her grand champion specialty market goat for $4,500. She is a member of the Mentone United 4-H Club.

The grand champion diary market goat was exhibited by Tucker Shriver, son of David and Cami Shriver. It sold for $1,755. Shriver is a member of the Claypool Classics.

Products from the Grand Champion Milking Diary Goat were sold for $1,500. The goat was exhibited by Isaiah Wilson, son of Joel and Elizabeth Wilson. He is a member of the Mentone United 4-H Club.

Addie Pulley sold her grand champion market chickens for $1,000. She is the daughter of Matt and Ashley Pulley and a member of the Pierceton Hayseeds 4-H Club.

The grand champion market ducks, exhibited by Noah Richardson, were sold for $1,350. He is a member of the Mentone United 4-H Club. He is the son of Dallas and Trisch Richardson.

The final champion to be auctioned off was the reserve grand champion rabbit meat pen, exhibited by Taylor Estepp. The rabbits brought $802. she is the daughter of Josh and Renee LaRue and a member of the Claypool Classics.