The youth who showed and sold their animals at the 2021 Maries County Fair’s livestock show and auction were a credit to the community. 

These FFA and 4-H members displayed a lot of pride and competence while in the show ring where they were judged by professionals. The sellers were rewarded by applause and good sale prices from local and area merchants and professional people. The livestock events at the fair were organized and promoted by FFA and 4-H advisors and parents, many of whom pitched in and helped the events run smoothly.

South Central Regional Stockyards (SCRS) representative Dave Patton was the first auctioneer to work the buyers at the livestock auction Friday evening at livestock barn at the fairgrounds. Patton said he’s been selling animals in the Vienna area for 28 years and this area has the nicest set of animals. Patton said, “You can go anywhere in the United States or the world and you would not find any better livestock than here in Maries County.” 

Patton had humorous remarks that he made throughout the time he sold, trying to get more bidders and a higher price for the young livestock sellers. He was always complimentary of the kids and their animals, saying they put in a lot of work to have these animals ready to show and sell. He also expressed his appreciation for the community with its agriculture producers and the people. “These kids are our future,” he told the many people gathered at the barn for the livestock sale.

Derek Faherty and Bill Patton assisted him in the sale ring. 

Also assisting was Hannah Shanks who announced the names of the sellers and the details about their animals. She also announced the premiums paid by sellers to the kids. Also assisting was Vienna FFA Advisor Sara Schwartze. She complimented the youth for their hard work with so many of them going beyond what was generally expected of them. Carrie Schwartze used a laptop to keep track of sellers and buyers, giving Patton the name behind the buyer number. 

Parents of these young future farmers were proud of their kids and the fine animals they sold and certainly appreciate the support of the community for these important projects. 

Maries County Fair 2021 livestock awards:

Hogs: Grand Champion Market Hog-Talen Reeves, Reserve Champion Market Hog-Lily Wagner, Grand Champion Breeding Gilt-Trent Snodgrass, Junior Showmanship-Talen Reeves, Senior Showmanship-Amanda Wieberg, Rate of Gain-Allison Buschmann. 

Rabbits: Grand Champion, Reserve Champion, and Senior Showmanship-Tyler Johnson.

Sheep: Grand Champion Market Lamb-Terra Huffman, Reserve Champion Market Lamb-Emma Raithel, Grand Champion Breeding Ewe-Savannah Siebeneck, Reserve Champion Breeding Ewe-Claire Neier, Junior Showmanship-Claire Neier, Senior Showmanship-Savannah Siebeneck, Rate of Gain-Terra Huffman.

Goats: Grand Champion Market Goat, Junior Showmanship, and Rate of Gain-Gage Curtis.

Poultry: Grand Champion-Jake Rowden, Reserve Champion-Issac Curtis, Junior Showmanship-Jake Rowden, Senior Showmanship-Tyler Johnson.

Cattle: Grand Champion Home Grown Steer-Gabe Kleffner, Reserve Champion Home Grown Steer-Will Veasman, Grand Champion Purchased Steer-Lauren Rowden, Grand Champion Junior Steer-Benton Groene, Supreme Champion Market Beef-Gabe Kleffner, Rate of Gain-Ben Veasman, Grand Champion Home Grown Bred Heifer-Katie Kloeppel, Reserve Champion Home Grown Bred Heifer-Kenley Groene, Grand Champion Purchased Bred Heifer-Raymond Logan, Grand Champion Home Grown Open Heifer-Ben Veasman, Reserve Champion Home Grown Open Heifer-Brooke Campbell, Supreme Female-Ben Veasman, Grand Champion Mature Bull-Kaitlyn Campbell, Junior Showmanship-Grace Veasman, and Senior Showmanship-Will Veasman.

Cured Meats: Grand Champion Ham (sell)-Seth Kleffner, Reserve Champion Ham (sell)-Zach Kleffner, Grand Champion Sell Bacon-Benton Groene, Reserve Champion Sell Bacon-Savannah Siebeneck.

Herdsman: Junior Herdsman-Jett Humphrey, Senior Herdsman-Trey Snodgrass. 

Clover Kids: Gentry Reeves, Allison Campbell, Lakota Curtis, Leah Sandbothe, Kloee Palmer, Ella Wansing, Henry Raithel, Issac Otto, Ivory Helton, Maci Campbell, Nicole Rowden, Tye Humphrey, Weston Veasman, and Blake Kloeppel.

Over the Hill Showmanship: Renee Logan, Amy Neier, and Kara Harker.