Top pig at sale brings $20,000
By Donnie A. Lucas
Several records were set at the 36th annual First Impressions pig sale benefitting the Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association on Sunday, including the largest number of pigs sold, highest price, and the highest gross sales.
According to organizer Mike Parsons, a total of 123 head were sold, with 13 “no sales,” amounting to a total of $117,800 in sales.
But the biggest news at the sale was the record-shattering price of $20,000 paid for the grand champion boar pig. Last year, the top pig sold for $5,000.
The record amount helped drive the average price per pig from about $700 last year to almost $1,200 this year.
The dark cross boar (intact) was sold by Carr Showpigs and purchased by a bidder from Shallowater, Texas.
Parsons said that about 300 bidders attended the sale in person, with another 180 bidding live on the internet. This is the first year that online bidding has been available.
The sale brought in about $4,000 for the livestock association last year, but that amount should increase this year.
“We are hoping to double the amount for the association since the sale is up so much,” Parsons said. “We have to calculate all the commissions, especially on the online bids since a portion of those sales will go back to the company that hosted the live bidding.”
Parsons thanked all the local volunteers who made the sale possible.
“It takes a lot of people to pull this off,” he said.
It is estimated that the pig sale has raised well over $100,000 over the last 36 years for the association and Shackelford County youth.
“Our breeders really brought some of their best stock this year, and I think the sale results speak for themselves,” Parsons said. “Part of that is due to the show (judging) held before the sale, and the prize money that is donated.”
He added that consignors were polled to determine how the sale could be improved.
“There were recommendations made for some barn improvements including some new pens and pouring some concrete,” Parsons said. “We have known that improvements are needed at the show barn, and now we will get some help paying for it.”
