Fair draws over $615,000 in total sales

By Carrie A. Mizell

The 59th Annual Suwannee River Fair Livestock Show & Sale ended last Wednesday with an auction of animals that brought in $615,223.
According to Marti Smith, fair secretary, the Suwannee River Fair board of directors are very grateful to the buyers in the community for coming through for the children despite the tough economy. This year’s sale total exceeded the 2009 figure, which was $580,097 in total sales.
The grand champion fat steer, which was shown by Hunter Anderson of Old Town Natives 4-H, brought $8.50/pound. Buyers were S & T Services, SMG Trucking, VanAernam Timber, Mayo Fertilizer, Herman Sanchez Jr. and Janie Reed.
The grand champion feeder steer, which was shown by Lowgan Daniels of Bell Middle FFA, brought $10.50/pound. Buyers were North Florida Livestock Market, Alyssa and Adrianna Hodge, Briana Bishop, Jim Hodge Lawn Service, River Ranch, Ron Sheppard, Trenton Tractor, Jerry Wright, Don Thomas-Gilchrist County Superintendent of Schools, David M. Lang, 83 Farms, Bell Auto Parts, Ivy House Restaurant, Connie Sanchez-Gilchrist County Supervisor of Elections, Joe Gilliam-Gilchrist County Clerk of Court, Smith Law Firm, Reedco, Inc., Senior Hope Care-Glenda Lindsay, and I.S. Ranch.
Grand champion swine, shown by Ryan Walton of Farm Pals 4-H, brought $14/pound. Buyers were Bell Concrete, Drummond Community Bank, Murray and Karen Tillis, Osborne Barker, Stone’s BP, Jones Concrete and Masonry, Scoggins Chevrolet, Chiefland Farm Supply, Wade Custom Homes and Beauchamp and Edwards, CPA, NAPA Auto Parts of Chiefland, Loran and Paige Brookins and RD and Carolyn Skelton.

The reserve champion fat steer, which was shown by Janie Reed of Bell Sr. FFA brought $14.50/pound. Buyers were Hunter Anderson, S.C. Cattle Company, Norvel Reed, Jr., Palms Medical Group, Sanchez Farms, Dixie Salvage, Michael Osteen, Jim Hodge Lawn Service, 83 Farms, 83 Inc., Furst McNess, Lester Hodge, Alyssa Hodge, Adrianna Hodge, New View of Sarasota, Bell Auto Parts, Smith Farms of Bell, Inc., Don Thomas-Gilchrist County Superintendent of Schools, Michael Wilkerson and Sheree Lancaster.
Reserve champion feeder steer, shown by Kayla Petty of Dixie Sr. FFA, brought $4.75/pound. Buyers were Usher Land and Timber, Bailey Brothers, Keith Richardson, Murray Tillis Farms, Chiefland Farm Supply and RD and Carolyn Skelton.
The reserve champion swine, which was shown by Tyler Johnson of Dixie Sr. FFA, brought $14/pound. Buyers were Flint Equipment, Ryan Bell-BubbaQ’s, Tim and Brenda Alexander, Capital City Bank, Chiefland Dodge, Nextran Truck Service and Sanchez Farms.