Big win with junior livestock auction

Giving up her social life and spending every spare minute with her FFA project pig paid off big for 16-year-old Savannah Miller during the Tehama District Junior Livestock Auction.

Miller's 265-pound mixed-breed gilt won the event's Market Swine FFA Grand Champion title and during Saturday's livestock auction sold for a good sum of money.

"My pig was born on my family's ranch in Richfield and I have raised her from the time she was weaned until I took her into the sale ring," Miller said. "I think all of my work and dedication paid off, because she turned out to be a great animal."

The good price Miller received for her pig helped top off this year's auction total, which reached more than $508,800.

"Heck, this year was great, we tipped over half a million. We did better this year than last year, and better than the year before that," said Mike Collins, president of the Junior Livestock Committee. "I couldn't be more pleased with this year's results. The community once again stood up and showed unbelievable support for our youth."

The final sale amount came in at $508,881, Collins reported. That is $50,000 more than last year's total, and last year's sale was up $60,000 over the previous year.

The auction took place Saturday morning, as 320 4-H, FFA, and independent youngsters lead, coaxed and hauled steers, pigs, lambs, goats, chickens and rabbits into the auction ring in the Don Smith Pavilion at the Tehama District Fairgrounds. The annual event was held during this year's Fair under the theme "Share the Magic."

Countless hours of hard work paid off for the young livestock handlers as buyers bid with a nod of the head as auctioneer Matt Walters moved action along at a quick pace.

Bill Borror, owner of Tehama Angus Ranch, who was bidding on and buying animals at the sale, said he and his family come to the livestock auction every year.

"My mother, Inez Borror, was one of the people responsible for getting this annual event going back in 1953, and our family has been taking part in one way or another since then, whether it was our own kids bringing an animal or us buying animals, we do what we can to support the kids and agriculture in the county," Borror said.

Also in the crowd buying animals was Pete and Robin Dagorret, owners of Napa Auto Parts in Corning. Pete is a member of the Tehama District Fair Committee.

"We're here every year. I really enjoy it and love helping these kids out anyway we can," he said.

Robin said they didn't personally know any of the kids selling animals, "but we come and do what we can to show our support of the good work they do."

That good work helped Clara Delong, 13, of White Ranch west of Corning, earn her market beef the reserve champion title. Delong entered the sale as an independent handler. Last year her market beef also won reserve champion.

This year the young handlers sold 45 beef for an average $4,295 a head and $193,271 total.

Swine sold for $1,252 average with 146 animals bringing in a total of $184,086.

Eighty-two lambs were sold at an average price of $930 and a total of $76,283.

Handlers sold 15 goats for a grand total of $12,191 coming to an average of $812 a head.

There were 26 poultry sold at $314 average and $8,174 total, with five rabbits sold for a total of $2,778 and an average of $555.