Contact: Ernie Birchmeier (517) 323-7000, ext. 2024

LANSING, July 26, 2012 —
In just its fourth year, the Michigan Livestock Expo (MLE) further solidified its status as the state's premier livestock show and auction, attracting the state's best youth livestock exhibitors and a slew of buyers committed to supporting them.

"This year's Expo maintained the momentum it's been building over the past three years, with more than 400 pigs, almost 200 sheep, nearly 100 cattle and 50 goats," said Ernie Birchmeier, Michigan Livestock Expo co-organizer and Michigan Farm Bureau livestock and dairy specialist.

After four days of intense judging, the Expo every year concludes with its "Sale-abration" auction of award-winning farm animals and dairy products exhibited by Michigan youth. This year's sale grossed $171,200, with generous purchases by more than 60 single and collective buyers who bid on 34 items.

Meijer again stole the show among bidders, investing an impressive $61,000 on eight lots, including the grand and reserve grand champion steers, supreme champion dairy heifer, and a share of the reserve grand champion hog.

"It's hard to express our appreciation for Meijer's ongoing involvement in this event," Birchmeier said. "It speaks volumes to their commitment to Michigan agriculture, and to the future of this vital industry, represented here by dozens of outstanding youth exhibitors from across the state.

"Livestock are a critically important sector of Michigan's agriculture industry, and dairy is the largest portion of that," Birchmeier said. "So to see our dairy and other livestock exhibitors putting such effort into their projects — and fetching top dollar in return? It's beyond gratifying. It's inspiring. Suffice to say Michigan agriculture has a very bright future; we were in the midst of it all week."

WHERE THE MONEY GOES

Traditionally youth apply their auction earnings to their current or future college expenses, or invest it back into their youth livestock projects. Proceeds above a sales cap support the Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships and educational awards to youth involved in livestock exhibition. More than $50,000 from this year's sale will go toward the fund and educational awards.

ABOUT THE MICHIGAN LIVESTOCK EXPO

Since its inception in 2009, the MLE has quickly become the premier youth livestock show and sale in Michigan. The event is unique in scope for featuring multiple species and being open to young people ages 8 to 21 from anywhere in the state.

Exhibition activities took place July 13-17, evaluating exhibitors' skills and talents in the show ring with beef cattle, hogs, sheep and goats. Dairy contests took place July 17 in conjunction with the Michigan Dairy Expo. Exhibitors of award-winning animals earned the opportunity to market their livestock and dairy products to the highest bidder at the "Sale-abration" auction. All activities took place at the Michigan State University Livestock Pavilion.

The Michigan Livestock Expo is sponsored by a large group of agricultural supporters. Auction services are provided by Bill Sheridan of Sheridan Realty & Auction Co., Mason.

GRAND CHAMPION MARKET STEER The 1,302-pound grand champion market steer raised by Ben Ross of Lawrence was purchased by Meijer, Inc. at the 2012 Michigan Livestock Expo, July 17 in East Lansing. Pictured (from left) are Meijer representatives Daniel Bruinsma and Tommy Suter; Lt. Gov. Brian Calley; Jerry Suter and Brian Scanlon of Meijer; and Ben Ross.
Reserve Grand Champion Market Beef Weight: 1,280 lbs. Nick Stutzman, 15, of Morenci Price: $7,000 Buyer: Meijer, Inc.		Great Lakes Grand Cross Beef Weight: 1,299 lbs. Mike Hewitt, 20, of Monroe Price: $2,250 Buyer(s): GreenStone Farm Credit Services Employees		Showcase Market Beef Weight: 1,315 lbs. Chase Phillips, 13, of Cooks Price: $7,500 Buyer: Meijer, Inc.
Great Lakes Grand Purebred Beef Weight: 1,329 lbs. Kira Wilczynski, 21, of Columbus Price: $5,000 Buyer(s): DeLong Cattle Company, Wolf Show Cattle, Pat Albright, Doug Kammann, Andy Kok, Scott Piggott, Jim Robinson, David VanderHaagen, Wayne H. Wood, Burnips Equipment, Todd Brink, Show Cattle, Rathmaine Chalias		Showcase Market Beef Weight: 1,365 lbs. Daniel Stutzman, 18, of Morenci Price: $4,000 Buyer(s): Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee, Michigan Soybean Association, Jamie Clover Adams, Dan Wyant, Keith Creagh, Bill Moritz		Showcase Market Beef Weight: 1,289 lbs. Cassandra King, 18, of Casco Price: $2,750 Buyer(s): GreenStone Farm Credit Services, GreenStone Farm Credit Services Employees, Dennis Muchmore, Michigan State University Federal Credit Union
		Showcase Market Beef Weight: 1,330 lbs. Brennen Meert, 17, of Plainwell Price: $2,500 Buyer(s): Michigan Farm Bureau Employees
GRAND CHAMPION MARKET HOG The 268-pound grand champion market hog raised by Jordan Kennedy of Perry was purchased by Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB); Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, PC; Varnum Law Firm; Edge Marketing; and State Representatives Daley, Rendon, Kurtz, Pettalia, Glardon, Outman and McBroom at the 2012 Michigan Livestock Expo, July 17 in East Lansing. Pictured (from left) are Patricia Scott; Liza Moore of Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, PC; Kim Clarke, Dean Reisner and Kristiana Coutu of Varnum Law Firm; Jordan Kennedy; Lt. Gov. Brian Calley; Lorri Jandron; Tonya Pierman, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Jamie Clover Adams; Brian Goodenough and MFB President Wayne H. Wood.
Reserve Grand Champion Market Hog Great Lakes Grand Purebred Market Hog Weight: 264 lbs. Emily Mead, 9, of Sturgis Price: $6,100 Buyer(s): Meijer, Inc., The Andersons, Inc.		Great Lakes Grand Cross Market Hog Weight: 266 lbs. Cailyn Hines, 14, of Quincy Price: $4,000 Buyer(s): Binson's Hospital Supplies, Michigan Livestock Expo Pig Posse		Showcase Market Hog Weight: 260 lbs. Morgan Wildt, 12, of Homer Price: $2,200 Buyer(s): Zeeland Farm Services, Inc., Michigan Livestock Expo Pig Posse, Brian and Donna Hines, Story Brothers Farms, The Andersons, Inc.
Showcase Market Hog Weight: 255 lbs. Morgan Kennedy, 16, of Perry Price: $2,000 Buyer(s): Michigan Farm Bureau Employees		Showcase Market Hog Weight: 262 lbs. Payton Hines, 11, of Quincy Price: $2,500 Buyer(s): Neogen Corporation		Showcase Market Hog Weight: 241 lbs. Ben Littlefield, 14, of Burr Oak Price: $2,000 Buyer(s): GreenStone Farm Credit Services Employees
		Showcase Market Hog Weight: 273 lbs. Andrew Littlefield, 10, Burr Oak Price: $2,500 Buyer(s): Meijer, Inc.
GRAND CHAMPION MARKET LAMB The 157-pound grand champion market lamb raised by Lindsey Lorenz of Constantine was purchased by Meijer, Inc. at the 2012 Michigan Livestock Expo, July 17 in East Lansing. Pictured with Lorenz are (from left) Phil, Amanda and Dave Lorenz; Meijer representatives Tommy Suter, Dave Neitzel, Brian Scanlon and Daniel Bruinsma; Lt. Gov. Brian Calley and Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Jamie Clover Adams. .
Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb Weight: 141 lbs. Madalyn Stewart, 12, of Charlotte Price: $6,000 Buyer(s): Wolverine Packing Co.		Great Lakes Grand Cross Lamb Weight: 120 lbs. Sarah-Jane Sterrett, 13, Jackson Price: $3,000 Buyer(s): Michigan Farm Bureau, Varnum Law Firm, Independent Bank, Wheaton Hampshires, ICS Cattle		Showcase Market Lamb Weight: 134 lbs. Rachel Salinas, 20, of Evart Price: $3,500 Buyer(s): Michigan Farm Bureau, U.S. Congressman Camp, Progressive Genetics/Viking Club Lambs, Bab Ford, State Representatives Johnson, Booher, Daley, Potvin, Kurtz, McBroom, Glardon, Rendon, Pettalia
Showcase Market Lamb Weight: 148 lbs. Sarah Kennedy, 20, of Saranac Price: $2,500 Buyer(s): GreenStone Farm Credit Services Employees, Michigan Agriculture Teachers, The Andersons, Inc., Michigan Livestock Expo Lamb League		Showcase Market Lamb Weight: 122 lbs. Max Shingledecker, 8, Centreville Price: $2,750 Buyer(s): Binson's Hospital Supplies		Showcase Market Lamb Weight: 141 lbs. Kelsey AcMoody, 22, of Union City Price: $2,100 Buyer(s): Michigan Farm Bureau Employees, The Andersons, Inc.
		Showcase Market Lamb Weight: 144 lbs. Clayton Cotterman, 18, of Fenton Price: $2,000 Buyer(s): Meijer, Inc.
GRAND CHAMPION MARKET GOAT The 82-pound grand champion market goat raised by Cailyn Hines of Quincy was purchased by GreenStone Farm Credit Services and Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) at the 2012 Michigan Livestock Expo, July 17 in East Lansing. Pictured (from left) are Payton Hines; Paul Anderson and Steve Junglas of GreenStone; Pat McPharlin of MSUFCU; Cailyn Hines; Jeff Jackson of MSUFCU and Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Jamie Clover Adams.
Reserve Grand Champion Market Goat Weight: 101 lbs. Kimberly Doneth, 21, of Durand Price: $3,500 Buyer(s): GreenStone Farm Credit Services, Michigan State University Federal Credit Union		Great Lakes Grand Purebred Market Goat Weight: 76 Jacob Bradley, 14, of Cassopolis Price: $1,700 Buyer(s): Kalmbach Feeds, Inc., The Andersons, Inc.		Showcase Market Goat Weight: 87 lbs. Payton Hines, 11, of Quincy Price: $1,500 Buyer(s): Binson's Hospital Supplies
SUPREME CHAMPION DAIRY COW The supreme champion dairy cow raised by Lucas Moser of Dansville was purchased by Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA); The Kroger Co. of Michigan; Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, PC; Zeeland Farm Services, Inc.; Calder Dairy; Class Construction; MPC Cashway Lumber; NorthStar Cooperative; and Vita Plus at the 2012 Michigan Livestock Expo, July 17 in East Lansing. Pictured (from left) are Liza Moore and Patricia Scott of Foster, Swift Collins & Smith; Lucas Moser; MMPA President Ken Nobis; Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Jamie Clover Adams and Clay Glarneau of MMPA.
Supreme Champion Dairy Showperson Courtney Heisler, 16, of Springport Price: $5,100 Buyer(s): Kalmbach Feeds, Inc., Caledonia Farmers Elevator, United Dairy Industry of Michigan, Dairy Farmers of America, Van Beek Nutrition		Supreme Champion Dairy Heifer Parker Hardy, 17, of Tipton Price: $5,000 Buyer(s): Meijer, Inc.		Grand Champion Cheese Cowslip Creamery, Grand Rapids Style: Alpine Style Washed Rind Price: $7,500 Buyer(s): United Dairy Industry of Michigan, Kalmbach Feeds, Inc.
Gold Medal Wines Exhibitor: Various All proceeds benefit the Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Fund Price: $1,750 Buyer(s): AcMoody Farms				Michigan Beers Exhibitor: Various All proceeds benefit the Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Fund Price: $1,000 Buyer(s): DeLong Cattle Co.