Market hogs auctioned off to highest bidders

    What could be more fun while waiting for fireworks on the Fourth of July than watching a 4-H Market Hog Show? A large crowd was on hand to watch the members of the 4-H market hog project show off the results of their hard work.
TOP HOG – Emily Mooers, left, raised the Grand Champion Market Hog and is shown with two of her buyers, Cathy Briggs, center, representing the Houlton Fair Association and Ben Adams from Houlton Power Sports. Cleary Marketing and the Houlton Police Department were also involved as buyers.  Mooers, who belongs to the Haybalers 4-H club, the 4-H Hip Hoppers and Crafty Critters, received $4 a pound for her animal.
    The show began with a Fitting and Showmanship Class where members were judged on how well they cleaned and presented the animal to the judge. Receiving first place in Senior Fitting and Showmanship was Vanessa O’Donnell of the 4-H Haybalers.  First place in the intermediate division went to Sarah Verville of the Haybalers and the 4-H Hip Hoppers and junior first-place showman was Emily Mooers of the Haybalers, Hip Hoppers and Crafty Critters.
    Next the animals were judged on their quality as meat animals. Judge Curtis Prime of Augusta observed that any of the six animals would be “fine eating,” but when the show was over, he had selected David, a 210-pound Landrace pig belonging to Mooers as the first-place heavyweight pig and the Grand Champion of the project. Following closely was Tess, a 190-pound animal raised by O’Donnell, which was the second heavyweight and Reserve Champion.
    The first place lightweight pig was Piglet raised and shown by Patricia Donovan from the 4-H Beef Club. Verville’s 180-pound Piggley Wiggley was the second place lightweight. Jagger Tremblay had the third-place lightweight with 173-pound Squawker and Tessa O’Donnell’s Ness was the third-place heavyweight at 190 pounds. Tremblay and O’Donnell are both members of the Haybalers.
    There was lots of anticipation in the air on July 5, as the members of the 4-H Market Hog Project waited for the ninth annual auction to begin. The animals had been judged and now these young people would find out how much a successful bidder was willing to pay for their animal. It is a feeling any entrepreneur can relate to … am I going to make money or lose money on this endeavor?
    The Grand Champion Market Hog raised by Mooers was the first animal to come out for the crowd. Auctioneers D.J. O’Donnell and Prime warmed up the bidders by describing all of the hard work and expense that has gone into raising this fine animal.  Then the bidding started and after an exciting flurry of bids and counter bids, Mooers’ pig was sold to a group including the Houlton Fair Association, the Houlton Police Department, Houlton Power Sports and Cleary Marketing for $4 a pound.
    Next up was V. O’Donnell with the Reserve Champion. After a spirited round of bidding, her pig went to Northeast Packaging for $2.50 a pound. Bartlett Farms was the next supporter of the auction to place a winning bid, paying $2.22 a pound for Donovan’s Piglet. In quick succession, Verville’s animal went to Wilson Farms and McCarthy Farms, while Tremblay’s pig was purchased by Kevin and Pam O’Bar of Caribou, and T. O’Donnell’s animal went to Jamie Condon of Houlton. All of the 4-H members received $2 a pound or more for their animals making the auction the most successful ever.
BUYER – Patricia Donovan, right, of Blaine and her buyer Bob Bartlett of Bartlett Farms both look quite pleased with his purchase of her 180-pound market hog Piglet. Donovan is a member of the 4-H Beef and Market Hog project groups.
    Aroostook County 4-H is part of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s youth development program.  All young people ages 5 to 18 are eligible to join 4-H and can take part in a large variety of projects.  Although 4-H is best known for its animal projects, youth can explore almost any topic that interests them from geospatial technology and digital video to science, engineering and technology.  
    4-H Youth also have opportunities to participate in statewide, regional, and national events.  4-H is a family affair as well with many opportunities for young people and their families to work together on projects and attend events. The program is delivered by adult volunteers who form and run clubs based around the interests of their members and new volunteers are always needed.
 4-H volunteers are supported by Cooperative Extension staff located in Houlton and in Orono.  
    For more information about getting a young person involved in 4-H or becoming a volunteer, call the Houlton Cooperative Extension office at 532-6548.
TOP BIDDER – Vanessa O’Donnell, left, of the 4-H Haybalers and Bob McCarthy, representing the top bidder Northeast Packaging, pose in front of her 190-pound Reserve Champion Market Hog.