{"id":39045,"date":"2022-08-07T02:16:55","date_gmt":"2022-08-07T08:16:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/livestock-sale-draws-crowds-at-montezuma-county-fair\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T02:47:58","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T08:47:58","slug":"livestock-sale-draws-crowds-at-montezuma-county-fair","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/livestock-sale-draws-crowds-at-montezuma-county-fair\/","title":{"rendered":"Livestock sale draws crowds at Montezuma County Fair"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Camryn
Camryn Oliver exhibits her Grand Champion steer Apollo, which sold for $7,200. (Jim Mimiaga\/The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n

The 2022 Montezuma County Fair capped off the week with the 4-H livestock sale Saturday that showcased farm animals raised by local youths.<\/p>\n

About 60 buyers signed up for the auction, up from 50 last year. The sale featured 113 animals ranging from steers and swine to goats, lambs and rabbits. Poultry sales were not allowed because of the risk of avian flu.<\/p>\n

The auction sale prices are much higher than market value, and are intended to reward 4-H participants for their hard work.<\/p>\n

In 2021 total livestock sales at the auction was $275,000, said sale organizer Kaylin Wilson.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe could not do this without the generous support from the people and businesses of Montezuma County,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Agriculture Extension intern Tierney Wilson said participation in 4-H saw 50 new kids sign up this year, with a total of 180 in the program.<\/p>\n

\u201cMore families moving into the area, and more kids are becoming old enough to participate,\u201d she said. \u201cWe have seen growth the last two years.\u201d The 4-H age range is 8 to 18 years.<\/p>\n

Camryn Oliver, 14, and her bull Apollo were awarded the Grand Champion for market beef from the judges.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel very proud,\u201d she said. \u201cHe is very well built, is gentle and has good genes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Kayden
Kayden Spruell, far right, sold her Grand Champion market pig Houston to Eli Tomac and his family. (Jim Mimiaga\/The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Cardon
Cardon Lanier shows off his steer named Redneck. The bull sold for $6,100 at auction. (Jim Mimiaga\/The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Jadon
Jadon Elliot holds up two baby goats dressed up as turkeys because poultry was not allowed at the fair because of avian flu. (Jim Mimiaga\/The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Kyle
Kyle Jim and Philvena Rez of Shiprock get ready to test out samples in the chile contest. (Jim Mimiaga\/The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"This
This artichoke flower earned a Grand Champion ribbon. It was grown by Ruth Hamshar. (Jim Mimiaga\/The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"A
A large crowd turned out for the Montezuma County Fair livestock sale Saturday. (Jim Mimiaga\/The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"A
A lot of artwork created by 4-H youth was shown at the fair. (Jim Mimiaga\/The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Brenda
Brenda Hogue and Judy Larner, of the Mesa Verde Gardeners Club, explained people\u2019s entries in the horticultural category at the fair. (Jim Mimiaga\/The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"The
The 4-H program shows off the toughness of young kids, like Mya Martinez, who raise their own livestock. (Jim Mimiaga\/The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

The club calf breed weighed in at 1,266 pounds, and sold for $7,300 to Big O Tires, of Cortez.<\/p>\n

Oliver, of Yellow Jacket, said key to her success was effective feeding, gentling and coat maintenance.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt first he kicked a bit, but we got him desensitized. In a barn they have to get used to kittens running around their feet, little kids touching their face, and being around people and other animals.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a fitter look, she switched to feeding him corn, which filled out his build and increases the marbling of the meat. She spent hours straightening out its curly hair to form a thick, uniform coat the judges prefer.<\/p>\n

Oliver plans to split her earnings between buying another steer for next year, getting more livestock supplies and saving for college.<\/p>\n

Kayden Spruell, 11, won the Grand Champion ribbon for her pig Houston, who weighed in at 264 pounds. Pigs have great personalities, Spruell said, and love belly rubs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had fun, she loves going for walks,\u201d Spruell said.<\/p>\n

At auction her pig was bought by professional Supercross and Motocross racer Eli Tomac of Corez for $4,800. Spruell plans to save the money for college.<\/p>\n

Cardon Lanier, age 10, said Maine Anjou Cross named Redneck weighed in at 1,313 pounds and sold for $6,100. This is his third year raising steers.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe toughest part is getting them halter broke, they don\u2019t want to do it at first. I\u2019ve learned over the years this is a good breed, and it has a good look.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jadon Elliott, 18, also raised and sold a steer, and carried around two baby goats, Lelo and Stitch, who were dressed as turkeys because fowl were not allowed.<\/p>\n

Elliott said he got a lot out of 4-H, including a strong work ethic that will help in his future plans to join the U.S. Air Force and go to trade school.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt teaches responsibility. It\u2019s a big job taking care of animals, they become like your children,\u201d Elliott said. If they are not doing well, you learn to double down and work harder until they improve.\u201d<\/p>\n

Surrounding the livestock sale were a variety of events, contests, arts and craft displays, and vendors.<\/p>\n

There were 200 entries in the horticultural category. The Grand Champion for the fresh flowers was an artichoke flower grown by Ruth Hamshar. The Grand Champion for vegetables was a giant cabbage grown by Reed Brugger.<\/p>\n

At the chili contest, 40 people tested out 10 different types of salsa and chili, then voted for their favorites.<\/p>\n

Kyle Jim and Philvena Nez sampled the salsas.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is good variety, the event was well organized,\u201d Nez said. \u201cWe both like the spicy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Christie Holeman of Farmington won first place for the vegetable salsa category, and Stephanie Heel, of Montezuma County took second. Ashley Lancaster won first place for the green and red chili and the fruit salsa.<\/p>\n

The two traveled from Shiprock to attend the balloon rally in Cortez, and decided to check out the fair as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll is good, we\u2019re having a good time,\u201d Jim said.<\/p>\n

jmimiaga@the-journal.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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