In a quiet – relatively speaking – space between the auctioneer’s cadences and the clomping of feet and hooves making their way to the auction arena, Heather Blackburn tried to snatch a few last moments with her lamb, Miller.
Oblivious to the poignancy of the situation, Miller stood by her side, soaking up her caresses and taking in all the hubbub with a rather sheepish look on his face.
The culmination of eight months’ work was at hand. Through it all, Blackburn, 18, had known that the moment would come when Miller would walk into the auction circle and walk out someone else’s lamb. Even so, “It’s tough,” she said. “He’s kind of my baby.”
Her baby, who finished first in his weight class, was about to become one of 90 lambs, goats, hogs and steers sold at the National Western Stock Show’s annual Auction of Junior Livestock Champions.
Scholarship gains
The sale not only supports the kids who raise the livestock, but each exhibitor contributes 10 percent of the sale proceeds to the National Western Scholarship Trust. The trust grants 65 scholarships to colleges and universities in Colorado and Wyoming, to encourage future generations of agribusiness leaders and rural medical doctors.
An estimated $150,000 from Friday’s proceeds will be added to the trust.
That is one of the reasons the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce has bought livestock at the auction for more than 10 years, said Joseph Blake, the chamber’s president and chief executive.
“We believe it’s an important part of our commitment to preserving the Western heritage of this great state,” said Blake, who Friday became the proud owner of a grand champion goat.
“These young people in rural America need all the support and encouragement they can get,” Blake said.
Heather’s little brother, Brian Blackburn, got $19,000 worth of encouragement from the sale of his lamb, Uno.
Despite being “spastic, with a touch of A.D.D.,” Uno had been named reserve grand champion, Blackburn said, relaxing with friends not far from where his sister stood with her lamb.
A handsome pick
Brian Blackburn, from Broadview, N.M., said he wants to be a large-animal veterinarian when he grows up.
The evening’s big winner was Lance Unger, whose steer, Spud, was crowned grand champion.
Unger, an unassuming, polite young man who had trouble stifling a grin, said the whole event made for quite a birthday present.
“I turn 19 tomorrow,” he said Friday.
Unger, a freshman at Purdue University, said he plans to become the third generation to work the family’s farm near Carlisle, Ind.
He said he bought Spud nine months ago because “he had no major faults, and he was very eye-appealing.”
The judges apparently agreed, as did buyers from Emil-Lene’s Sirloin House – who paid $80,000 for Spud.
Staff writer Karen Augé can be reached at 303-954-1733 or kauge@denverpost.com.
The winning bids
Grand champion steer: $80,000
Exhibited by Lance Unger, Carlisle, Ind.; purchased by Emil-Lene’s Sirloin House
Reserve grand champion steer: $44,000
Exhibited by Brock May, Mineral Point, Wis.; purchased by Hyland Investment Company LLC
Grand champion lamb: $25,000
Exhibited by Cole Burson, Roswell, N.M.; purchased by John E. Cavey Company Inc. and ServiceStar Development Co.
Reserve grand champion lamb: $19,000
Exhibited by Brian Blackburn, Broadview, N.M.; purchased by Greenberg Traurig LLP
Grand champion hog: $29,000
Exhibited by Adair Boysen, Columbus Junction, Iowa; purchased by Transwest Trucks Inc.
Reserve grand champion hog: $22,000
Exhibited by Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo.; purchased by Emil-Lene’s Sirloin House
Grand champion goat: $17,000
Exhibited by Chama Jade Martin, Mason, Texas; purchased by Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
Reserve grand champion goat: $11,000
Exhibited by Taylor Morgan, Stephenville, Texas; purchased by James L. Basey
