ASHLAND — Coordinators of the Boyd County Fair livestock auction said they’re feeling the growing pains, and it feels good.

Saturday marked the eighth and record breaking year for the auction with a $20,000-plus increase in sales from last year.

Many supporters of 4-H and FFA showed up to purchase the 61 animals registered this year. The whole lot of steer, lambs, goats, chickens, ducks and rabbits brought in nearly $34,000.

“For one thing, we had many more animals than ever before,” said Boyd County agriculture and natural resource agent, Lyndall Harned. “But far beyond that, it was the commitment of the kids and their families who got out and talked this up to feed stores, farm suppliers, doctors, business owners and anyone else they thought might make a bid on their animals. And I think the bidders are seeing the benefit in supporting these kids.”

Allie McGlone sold her grand champion steer for $8,600 to Larry Addington; Hannah Martin sold her grand champion goat for $1,200 to the Boyd County Farm Bureau.

Bailey Henderson sold her grand champion hog for $1,400 to Bob Sells of Cooke’s Farm Center, who also purchased the grand champion lamb owned by Katy Smith for $1,100.

Cavel Bush, the auctioneer from Lloyd who also auctions at Greenup and Carter County fairs, said the purpose of the 4-H and FFA livestock sales is not set up for money making.

“These programs are for educational purposes,” he said. “The kids buy the animal, keep a record book of their care; they feed them and put a lot of time and effort into being their owner. Hopefully, during this process, they are learning how to be responsible and developing good work ethic and building self-esteem and a level of independence.”

Bush, who began auctioning at age 18, said when his son was in 4-H he knew the animals he raised were his responsibility.

“All I did was drive the truck because he couldn’t drive and pay for the feed because he didn’t have any money,” Bush said laughingly. “But the whole point is that these sales are for the kids and we need to support them as best we can.”

Bush didn’t have to do a lot of prodding to draw bids from audience members on Saturday. But if he did, he would have call out Bob Sells, the owner of Cooke’s Farm Center who frequents the Greenup and Boyd County Fair livestock auctions and is used to being used by Bush to sort of up the ante on bids.

“I’m used to it,” Sells said. “But I don’t think there’s a better program than 4-H so I think it’s worth every penny I spend. I use my advertising money to come here. It’s like I tell my son, Ryan, these kids are our future customers. I would buy them all if I could.”

Other buyers included Marathon, Bowling Feed and Hardware, Mining Machinery and Joe Wolf who bought an assortment of ducks and chickens.

“I’ve sold ducks. And I’ve sold chickens. But I’ve never sold ducks and chickens together,” Bush laughed.

In addition to the children and business owners, River Cities Harvest also benefited from the sale. They were given more than $10,000 in animal donations from purchasers.

The food bank will process the animal meat and distribute it to agencies such as Community Kitchen, Safe Harbor and Sparrow’s Nook.

“We are so appreciative of the people who purchased these animals and donated them to us,” Amanda Gilmore, River Cities operation coordinator, said. “They not only supported the children today, they also helped feed hundreds of people.”

SARAH LYNCH can be reached at (606) 326-2650 or slynch@dailyindependent.com.