The barns may have been quieter Friday night at the Mercer County Fair, but the support and excitement were loud and clear. Due to storm delays Friday, the 32nd Annual Mercer County Youth Livestock Auction was moved to Saturday and held without live animals in the ring. Still, the turnout was strong, and the stories were powerful.
Before the bidding began, WRMJ and the Brownfield Network proudly presented the 2025 Brownfield Youth Ag Awards. This year’s recipients were Aurora Fitchner and Bodie Salmon, both recognized for their years of dedication to 4-H and agriculture education. They both received belt buckles from WRMJ and the Brownfield Network.
Fitchner has spent nine years in 4-H, shown pigs at the county and state level, and earned her State FFA Degree in 2024. She plans to attend Black Hawk College East and eventually Iowa State University to study animal genetics or nutrition.
Salmon, an 11-year 4-H member and 2025 Mercer County High School graduate, is headed to UW–Stevens Point to major in Wildlife Ecology. He was also announced as this year’s recipient of the Spike Heck Memorial Scholarship, presented by the Heck family and the Mercer County Fair Board.
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Grand Champion Highlights
Although the animals weren’t physically present, each exhibitor stepped into the ring to describe what they showed at the fair and share their Grand Champion accomplishments.
Jenna Brown – Grand Champion Crossbred Steer
A senior at Mercer County High School, Jenna showed a Grand Champion Crossbred Steer. “He really doesn’t like to be blown out,” she explained, “but he’s good in the ring.” Jenna plans to pursue a career in agronomy. Her steer was purchased by Roeder Bros. Seed, 1st Community Bank, Line Show Cattle at $1.25 per pound.
Kylah Adams – Grand Champion Pen of Rabbits
Kylah exhibited the Grand Champion Pen of Rabbits, which sold for $550 to Schuld Bushnell. She described the competition as tight, with several high-quality rabbits in the ring. “I’m thankful for the people that come out and support us,” she said.
Logan Campbell – Grand Champion Market Barrow
Logan’s Champion Market Barrow earned him a final bid of $3.90 per pound, with Cordelio Power making the winning purchase.
Bodie Salmon – Grand Champion Pen of Chickens
Bodie returned to the ring with his Grand Champion Pen of Chickens, which brought in $600. He’s been showing chickens for years and shared that “meat birds are lazy, so you’ve got to keep their feeders raised up so their legs stay healthy.” His pen was purchased by Rex McWhorter or Yarger Machinery Sales and Peterson Farms.
Jaxon Adams – Grand Champion Market Lamb
Jaxon overcame a hectic fair week—including storm warnings—to claim the Grand Champion Market Lamb. His project sold for $10.75 per pound at 125 pounds. The buyers were Halcomb Oil Co. and Dyna-Grow Seed.
Lily Grabowski – Grand Champion Market Wether
Lily exhibited the Grand Champion Market Wether (goat). “I’m happy that a lot of people came out to watch the sale,” she said. Her project was supported by a generous group of buyers: Bounds Showgoats, Advantage Family Chiropractic, Grandma Grabowski, Ausmus Show Goats, Midwest Genetics, Local Breeders Association, Coalition Show Stock, and Hopedale Ag.
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A Night of Community and Gratitude
Auctioneer Mike Peterson, along with Shane Ryan, Dale Jones, and Adam Kilcoin, guided the evening’s sales. WRMJ recorded the full program, and it will be rebroadcast Monday at 6 p.m., including interviews with the exhibitors.
As always, the Mercer County Youth Livestock Auction wouldn’t be possible without the commitment of the community, generous buyers, and proud families. It was a night full of stories, smiles, and futures brightened by hard work and agricultural tradition.