Sold!

The story of a boy and his pig came to an end Saturday. Cameron Ward, 15, and grand champion barrow Tank parted at the Missouri State Fair Sale of Champions.

The annual sale of champion animals raised by members of 4-H and FFA broke records for the third year in a row as Tank and 11 others were purchased in the Lowell Mohler Assembly Hall for a total of $151,750. Last year’s auction brought in $137,700.

Ward, a Plattsburg resident, bought Tank after viewing two litters of pigs, an older litter and a younger one. Tank was the a slow-growing pig from the older litter grouped with the younger ones.

“I said to Dad, ‘I know he’s not the best-walking hog, but I wanted him so that way I could have a pig that was as wide as he is,’ ” Ward said.

Tank, purchased for $22,000 by Farmland Foods Inc., became a champion, and set a record price at the auction. Last year’s champion barrow brought in $18,000.

Ward described the 283-pound animal as “the pig that nobody thought would do anything.”

This was Ward’s first time attending the sale of champions and his fourth time exhibiting at the Missouri State Fair. He has shown animals since he was 8 years old.

“It’s a sad day for all the exhibitors,” he said, because the animal became his partner in accomplishment.

Ward will put his winnings — he, like the other youth in the auction, will keep 70 percent of the sale price, or $15,400 — towards “college or buying more animals to show next year,” he said.

The rest of the purchase price goes to the Missouri State Fair Youth in Agriculture Scholarship Program. Wayne Yokley, chairman of the Youth in Agriculture Committee, said last year the program awarded 30 $1,000 scholarships and a $2,500 scholarship.

Laine Martin, 16, of Curryville, admitted to being a little sad to see her her crossbred grand champion steer, Willie, sold. She purchased him in December when he was nine months old.

Willie weighed in for competition at more than 1,300 pounds, and sold for the record-breaking price of $26,500 to Rep. Kenny Hulshof, the Republican gubernatorial candidate.

Hulshof recalled his time in FFA, and said he would donate part of the steer to the FFA leadership Fund and part to the Central Missouri Food Bank.

“I’m sorry Willie, but it has to be this way,” he said after purchasing the animal.

Eight out of the 12 winners up for auction set new records, the bidders spurred on by auctioneer Mike Williams as the exhibitors paraded their animals around the ring.

The reserve grand champion steer, shown by Callie Mawson, 18, of Archie, sold to Monsanto for $25,000.

The reserve grand champion barrow, shown by Kimberlee Gieseker, of Martinsburg, sold to Edward Jones for $21,000.

The grand champion lamb, shown by Ashleigh Mitchell, 20, of Clinton, sold to University of Missouri Independent Aggies and Wheeler Auction and Real Estate for $15,500.

The reserve grand champion lamb, shown by Whitney Ratliff, 19, of Bevier, sold to Edward Jones for $10,000.

The grand champion pen of rabbits, shown by Ty Coats, 14, of Braymer, sold to State Fair Concessionaires and Exhibitors for $4,500.

The reserve grand champion pen of rabbits, shown by Sara Gerdemann, 19, of Warrenton, sold to Starline Brass and MFA Inc. for $2,750.

The grand champion pen of chickens, shown by Codi Coats, 15, of Braymer, sold to Subway, Mark’s Brothers and Good Time Charlie’s for $4,500.

The reserve grand champion pen of chickens, shown by Grace Madsen, 15, sold to University of Missouri Independent Aggies and Wheeler Auction and Real Estate for $2,500.

The grand champion meat goat, shown by Troy Sloan, 17, of Cameron, sold to Heartland Farm and Lawn and the Missouri Meat Goat Producers Association for $10,750.

The reserve grand champion meat goat, shown by Kayla Mitchell, 18, of Clinton, sold to Kingsville Livestock Auction and Missouri Meat Goat Producers Association for $6,750.

The commemorative belt buckle was sold to Smithton Industries and Bogg’s Audio for $1,540.