JACKSON -- Buyers rewarding young people for their efforts raising livestock paid $223,786 and set two sales records for the 35 champion animals sold Thursday at the 2006 Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions.

The grand champion lamb sold for $54 a pound, bringing $8,694 from buyers AmSouth Bank and Brookshire's Grocery Co. Later in the auction, a second lamb, the reserve champion Dorset lamb, brought the same price per pound for a sheep that weighed slightly less.

The grand champion goat brought $64 a pound for a total of $6,336 from buyers J.L. Holloway and Max Bowman. Holloway has bought a goat at each auction for the last several years. This year was no exception, and he donated his purchase to the Baptist Children's Village.

“It's a great way to support young people who are into farming and livestock raising,” Holloway said. “These young people spend a tremendous amount of time and effort in preparing these animals. This sale is an opportunity to show them that they can get a significant reward for their effort and energy.”

This year, eight steers, 13 hogs, 12 lambs and two goats were sold at auction at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds in Jackson. The top steer sold for $15 a pound and the top hog for $37 a pound.

In addition to proceeds from the auction, five young people received $1,500 premier exhibitor scholarships, 25 received $1,000 academic scholarships and three received $1,000 scholarships for showing the supreme beef female, beef bull and dairy female.

Terry Kiser, head of Mississippi State University's Animal and Dairy Sciences Department, praised the buyers and contributors to the Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions.

“Mississippi is full of some very generous people who are willing to help our young men and women. The money helps them fulfill some of their dreams and career goals as they go on to colleges and universities,” Kiser said. “Their dedication and commitment to carry a project to completion will help them become better leaders and citizens of our state.”

Roxy Cooper, a 16-year-old Leflore County 4-H'er, showed the champion lightweight European steer. She has been showing animals since she was 8, and this was her first steer to show and her first appearance in the Sale of Junior Champions.

“It takes a lot of my time, and certain times of the year are busier than others, but I don't mind,” she said.

Her time and effort paid off with a $6 a pound auction price on her 1,248 pound steer.

Jeremy Maness, Jasper County Extension 4-H agent, said the effort involved is part of what makes this a great learning experience for youth.

“Livestock showing is a very active program,” Maness said. “It helps young people learn the basics of day-to-day responsibility, animal management and money management.”