Westercamp sets new record for largest rabbit contest at state fair

Area residents won many awards at the 2012 Iowa State Fair, which ran from Aug. 9 through Sunday in Des Moines.

Largest Rabbit

Dwight Westercamp of Batavia showed the winning rabbit in the Largest Rabbit contest judged Friday.

His Flemish Giant weighed in at 22 pounds, 5.5 ounces, a new Iowa State Fair record. The previous record was held by Marge Westercamp, Westercamp?s wife, whose rabbit weighed in at 20 pounds, 4.5 ounces.

Tracey Faust of Strawberry Point showed the second and third place rabbits, which weighed in at 17 pounds, 4 ounces and 16 pounds, 4 ounces, respectively.

FFA Photography

Ribbons were awarded in the FFA Photography competition judged prior to the start of the 2012 Iowa State DFair. In Theme Class Kelcey Loges of Farmington took third place.

4-H Derby Swine

4-H Derby Swine show was held Aug. 13. Division winners included: Reserve Champion Overall Purebred Pig ? Nathan Bredemeyer, Bonaparte; and Champion Yorkshire Pig ? Nathan Bredemeyer, Bonaparte.

Pedal Power Pull

Young fairgoers pedaled their way to victory at the Pedal Power Pull Aug. 14 at the fair.

In the Pedal Power Pull, kids attempt to pedal a mini tractor 40 feet ? a ?full pull? ? pulling a box weighing from 80 pounds for 4-year-olds to 260 pounds for 11-year-olds. In the event of a tie or two full pulls, weight is added and a re-pull is held to determine the winner.

In the Girls, 11-Year-Olds, Faith Diephuis of Farmington placed third with a full pull, full pull, then 33 feet, 6 inches,

In Boys, 7-Year-Olds, Ryan Doud of Batavia placed third with 31 feet.

In Boys, 10-Year-Olds, Ethan Diephuis of Farmington placed first with a full pull then another full pull.

Campground Lighting

The annual Campground Lighting contest was judged Thursday. The display by Heather Mercer of Van Buren County was named Most Original.

Hog Calling

More than 30 competitors tested their vocal talents in the Hog Calling competition judged Friday. Twelve-year-old Blaten Kennedy of Birmingham placed fourth in the Ages 5 to 16 group.

4x4 Stomper Pull

Contestants of all ages hitched up and pulled their way to victory in the 4x4 Stomper Pull contest Saturday. Entrants hitched certified weights to their battery-operated, handmade miniature trucks to see who could pull the furthest distance in 20 seconds. Steering was not allowed and entrants could use D.C. power supply only.

In Stock, Age 11 and Up, Maggie Cabbage, 17, of Fairfield placed second.

In Semi, Age 10 and Under. Lee Elliott, 9, of Fairfield placed first; Elora Welcher, 1, of Fairfield placed second; and Alex Shamstrom, 4, of Fairfield placed third.

In Semi, Age 10 and Up, 11-year-old Danielle Elliott of Fairfield placed second.

In Bully, Age 10 and Under, 9-year-old Lee Elliott of Fairfield placed second; and 1-year-old Elora Welcher of Fairfield placed third.

Sale of Champions

The Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement raised $300,000 for the 16 exhibitors of 4-H and FFA Grand Champions in the Sale of Champions Saturday.

Five champion records were broken during the Sale. The Reserve Champion 4-H Market Heifer sold for a record $35,000, besting the previous mark of $28,000 set in 2011. The Grand Champion 4-H Market Hog sold for $31,000, breaking the previous record of $25,000 set in 2010. The Grand Champion FFA Market Lamb set a new record of $14,600, beating the previous record of $14,500 set in 2004. The Grand Champion and Reserve Champion 4-H Broiler Pens set two new records of $7,000 and $12,200, respectively. The previous records were $5,800 set in 2011 and $6,200 set in 2008, respectively.

This year IFAA introduced meat goats to the sale. The Grand Champion FFA Meat Goat sold for $7,500 and the Grand Champion 4-H Meat Goat sold for $9,200, both establishing new records.

Participants in the Sale of Champions were asked to find hometown supporters to set a floor price for bidding. The purchaser in the auction paid the difference between the floor price and the final sale price. Each participant in the Sale takes home a check for 80 percent of the animal?s sale price. The IFAA keeps 20 percent to fund the scholarship program and cover Sale expenses. In addition to their sale earnings, the exhibitors of the Grand Champion 4-H Market Steer, Grand Champion 4-H Market Hog and Grand Champion FFA Market Lamb earn the use of a new aluminum livestock trailer for one year courtesy of Featherlite, Inc., of Cresco.

When added with the $165,150 of scholarships and performance and carcass awards presented prior to the sale, the IFAA bestowed $465,150 on young livestock and poultry exhibitors during the day?s event. Since the inception of the Sale of Champions in 1988, the IFAA has given out more than $5.2 million through Sale proceeds and scholarships to deserving youth participating in agricultural-related projects and interested in agricultural-related careers.