ASHLAND — It was an expensive morning Friday inside the coliseum at the Ashland County Fairgrounds.

But there was no buyer’s remorse.

As the Ashland County Junior Fair Livestock Sales’ motto goes, “Behind every animal is a dream worth backing.”

Buyers groups and bidders certainly stepped up to back the dreams of local youth during the Sale of Champions, which kicked off this year’s livestock sale.

The Sale of Champions included the Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion for the following species: market rabbits (pen of three), single fryer, market chicken, market turkey, meat market goat, dairy market goat, market lamb, market hog, baby beef, market steer and dairy market steer.

Friday’s complete Junior Fair Livestock Sale included 627 exhibitors selling animals in the one-day, two-ring sale.

Buyers, exhibitors and spectators gather in the coliseum Friday morning for the Ashland County Junior Fair Livestock Sale. Credit: Hayden Gray.

Below are results from the Sale of Champions, including the exhibitor and the sale price of their animal.

Market Rabbits (pen of three)

  • Grand Champion: Lila Wilfong ($2,200).
  • Reserve Grand Champion: Gracee Sanders ($6,500).

Single Fryer

  • Grand Champion: Bailey Hartman ($1,800).
  • Reserve Grand Champion: Gaven Holland ($1,500).

Market Chicken

  • Grand Champion: Derek Coleman ($4,000).
  • Reserve Grand Champion: Aiden Hoffman ($2,500).

Market Turkey

  • Grand Champion: Jaxton Geer ($4,000).
  • Reserve Grand Champion: Lucas Finley ($2,500).

Meat Market Goat

  • Grand Champion: Braxton Marsh ($5,500).
  • Reserve Grand Champion: Braxton Marsh ($10,000).

Dairy Market Goat

  • Grand Champion: Ella Braeunig ($3,500).
  • Reserve Grand Champion: Riley Berkshire ($2,250).

Market Lamb (per pound)

  • Grand Champion: Parker White ($30 per pound).
  • Reserve Grand Champion: Bria White ($30 per pound).

Market Hog (per pound)

  • Grand Champion: Kinsley Swanson ($65 per pound) (new record).
  • Reserve Grand Champion: Marley Gaus ($35 per pound).

Baby Beef (per pound)

  • Grand Champion: Carston Stephens ($6.50 per pound).
  • Reserve Grand Champion: Tanner Fulk ($6.50 per pound).

Market Steer (per pound)

  • Grand Champion: Haleigh Stephens ($9 per pound).
  • Reserve Grand Champion: Ruger White ($12.50 per pound).

Dairy Market Steer (per pound)

  • Grand Champion: Taylor Lackey ($4.25 per pound).
  • Reserve Grand Champion: Tanner Fulk ($4.50 per pound).

Below are photos from the Sale of Champions on Friday morning at the Ashland County Fairgrounds. (Credit: Hayden Gray)

FULL COVERAGE OF THE 175TH ASHLAND COUNTY FAIR

Staff reporter at Source Media Properties since 2023. Shelby High School/Kent State alum. Have a story to share? Email me at hayden@ashlandsource.com.