Trumbull Co.: Champions repeat winning ways

CORTLAND, Ohio – Same winning names, different year.
That was the theme at the 2005 Trumbull County Junior Fair livestock exhibition and auction July 16.
There was little room for new blood in the winners’ circle, allowing many families to keep a stronghold on their winning ways.
Overall sale total was $172,052, down nearly $8,000 from last year.
Steers. Siblings Alison and Ryan Bell of Cortland dominated the market steer competition, but this year it was the younger sibling that topped the show.
Alison Bell’s 1,274-pound champion brought $2.50 a pound from Strimbu Trucking, and Ryan Bell’s 1,334-pound reserve champion brought $2.30 per pound from Cortland Showcase of Floors.
Ryan Bell showed last year’s champion. Both bids this year were higher than last year’s $2.10 and $1.50, respectively.
Vince Meloni of Kinsman raised the champion steer carcass project. The 648-pound carcass sold for $3.70 per pound to Hudson Construction in Transfer, Pa.
Stewart Campbell’s 717-pound reserve champion carcass brought $2.70 a pound from Ainsley Oil.
Mary Jo Spletzer of Newton Falls showed the champion beef feeder. Her 553-pound calf brought $1.60 per pound from Hudson Construction.
Forty-three market steers averaged $1.25 a pound with champions and $1.19 without.
Fifteen carcass steers averaged $2.29 a pound with champions and $2.14 without.
Hogs. A heavyweight hog exhibited by Emily Culp bested a field of 108 hogs to take the top spot.
Culp’s 280-pound champion brought $2.70 per pound from Gateway Farm Freezer Meats in Greenville, Pa.
Brad Harnett, who showed last year’s reserve champion, stood in the No. 2 spot again with his 282-pound hog. Gibson-Governor Insurance bid $2.10 per pound for the porker.
Ryan Winfield raised a 261-pound hog to benefit St. Jude hospital. King Brothers from Bristolville paid $2.60 per pound for the animal.
In carcass hog competition, Alison Bell took the top award. Her 228-pound carcass brought $3.90 a pound from Don Barzak of the Barzak Agency.
Tanner Jewell of Cortland sold his 201-pound reserve champion hog carcass for $2.70 a pound to Gustavus Hardwoods.
Twenty-eight carcass hogs averaged $1.77 a pound with champions and $1.64 without.
The 108 market hogs – 30 more than last year’s exhibition –