Published: March 29, 2009 03:11 pm      

A good year for the Expo

Navarro County Youth Expo wraps up week with sale

By Bob Belcher

Daily Sun



Vance Robinson’s Grand Champion steer brought $12,000 to kick off the 2009 Navarro County Youth Expo premium sale Saturday. The sale and luncheon capped off a week of judging and competition in the 51st annual Youth Expo.

Robinson, an 11-year-old Corsicana FFA student, attends Navarro Elementary School. The steer, named “Buttercup,” tipped the scales at 1,300 pounds. He smiled broadly as he posed for the post-sale photo opportunity with family, buyers and Expo officials. Robinson said the money would be used to buy more steers.

The Grand Champion steer was purchased by a group of contributors to the Youth Expo, said Lance Waggoner, past chairman of the Expo. Joining together to buy the grand champion steer project were Williams Gin, Marrs Construction, Brazos Valley Equipment, Jada and Wayne McClure of Bill’s Fried Chicken, McKee Lumber, and the Waggoner Family Trust.

While this year’s sale — estimated to reach a total of $355,000 when final “add-ons” are factored in — fell short of reaching last year’s record breaking total of $419,000, Expo officials were very pleased Saturday, Waggoner said.

“Last year was a big celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Expo so we thought it would be up. This year, with the economy the way it is, we’re very pleased with the sale total.”

Auctioneers Kirby Hill and Tom Lester kept things moving fast through the Expo sale, pausing only to give thanks and recognition to buyers and students involved in the week’s activities. Both Hill and Lester have volunteered their services to the Expo for several years, and worked well as a team, encouraging buyers and spurring competition among the ring men tracking the bids.

Grand Champion projects sold first in Saturday’s sale, followed by Reserve Champion animals. In all, a total of 237 projects were sold.

The Grand Champion swine, raised by Amy Adair of Blooming Grove FFA, was purchased by Robinson Aircraft Interiors for $4,100.

The Grand Champion lamb raised by Trenton Herod of Blooming Grove FFA was also purchased by Robinson Aircraft Interiors. Herod’s winning lamb sold for $3,000.

Nelson-Putman Propane purchased the Grand Champion meat goat raised by Anna Calhoun of Blooming Grove FFA. Calhoun’s project brought $3,250.

Justin Jordan of Blooming Grove/Barry 4-H had the Grand Champion poultry entry. It was purchased by donations raised in memory of Doug “Pop” Melton, a supporter of youth and ag students in the area for many years. Melton passed away March 7. The project was purchased for $2,250.

The Grand Champion market rabbit raised by John Gage of Corsicana 4-H sold for $2,000. It was purchased by Kevin Farmer of Texas Lawn Care.

Leading the Reserve Champion projects was Blooming Grove FFA’s Drew Whistler, who took Reserve Champion in the steer division. Whistler’s steer was purchased by Mark Simms, and brought $7,250.

The Reserve Champion swine project of Dalton Steele, Dawson FFA, was purchased by Robinson Aircraft Interiors for $3,000.

Brody Owens of Blooming Grove FFA raised the Reserve Champion lamb, purchased by Darrell Olsen of Olsen’s Feed for $2,750.

The Reserve Champion meat goat was raised by Trenton Herod of Blooming Grove FFA. It was purchased was Carol Moran for $2,000.

Herod also raised the Reserve Champion poultry project, purchased by Community National Bank and Trust of Texas for $2,000.

The Reserve Champion market rabbit was raised by Dave Clemons of Rice 4-H. It sold for $2,000 to Dr. Pepper.

The final animal to sell in the Champion division was the Reserve Champion commercial heifer, raised by Cody Carroll of Navarro County 4-H. Carroll’s heifer brought a high bid of $2,500 from Robinson Aircraft Interiors.

Mike Gage, co-chair of the event along with Todd McGraw, paid tribute to the late Jan Ivie during ceremonies before the sale began. Ivie was a long-time Expo volunteer, and was tragically killed in an accident Sept. 7, 2008. Gage praised Ivie’s dedication to the youth of Navarro County through her involvement in the Youth Expo and as a teacher. Ivie was with the CISD for 27 years.

The 2009 Youth Expo was dedicated to another long-time Expo volunteer and leader, Jerry Ashcraft. Ashcraft served as general chairman of the Expo for seven years, running from 1995 through 2001, and continues to play a role in Expo activities. He was this year’s Awards Committee chair. Ashcraft, in turn, thanked the many volunteers that are required to make the Youth Expo happen each year, noting endless hours of organizing and preparing for each year’s event.

A complete list of winners in each division of the Youth Expo, along with a full list of buyers in Saturday’s premium sale, will publish on April 5 in the “Youth Expo Roundup” special section in the Daily Sun.

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