By MEGGIE I. FOSTER
Assistant Editor

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Recently named the top option club in the Purdue University School of Agriculture, the dairy club hosted its fifth successful Boilermaker Heifer Sale last Saturday drawing bidders from across the country, according to sale organizers.

With 37 consignments consisting of Holsteins, Milking Shorthorns, Jerseys, Brown Swiss and Aryshires, sale chairs and Purdue seniors Craig Blough and Andrew Kuehnert traveled across the Midwest in search of show calves and yearlings ready to go for the upcoming show season.

“These Purdue kids have done a heck of a job picking out these calves, better than most of us could do, driving farm to farm dropping $100 in our gas tanks,” said David Blough, who presented pedigree information throughout the sale.

The sale, which commenced at 1 p.m., was led by auctioneer Merv Leffler in the machinery shed of the Purdue Farms, decked out distinctively for the sale in black and gold on the outskirts of West Lafayette, Ind.

The high-selling animal of the day was Reiff-Farm Advent Celia-Red, a Red-and- White Holstein summer yearling bred to Rampage Red and due to calve in August. Celia-Red, consigned by Reiff Farms of Burnettsville, Ind., was purchased for $3,000.

Other lots of interest included K-Hurst Dundee Evalyn, a December Holstein calf consigned by Kuehnert Dairy, of Fort Wayne, Ind. Evalyn was purchased for $2,700. Another fancy December Holstein was J&S Radiance Sam Royal, consigned by Springbrook Farm, of Marshall, Ind. was purchased for $2,100.

For many bidders, the Purdue Heifer Sale is the ideal locale to purchase 4-H show heifers at reasonable prices, in fact, some may have left the Purdue sale with a few good deals and steals, said Blough.

For Jersey consignments, the feature of the afternoon centered on KKF Gin Iatola Gina, a spring yearling consigned by Scott and Troy Snider of New Paris, Ind. Gina was sold for $2,025. “Wow, you just got a heck of a deal,” Blough told the thrilled buyer. “You’re going to have a lot of fun with that one this summer.”

In addition to auctioning several showy dairy calves, Purdue student organizers also auctioned off several pounds of cheddar cheese, hanging flower baskets, custom sale jackets and even a full size milk can with spout for serving beverages. “If you didn’t buy a cow and you need an excuse, you can buy cheese,” joked Blough.

To view additional sale results or to contact committee chairs regarding the 2009 sale, visit the Heifer Sale website at http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~dairy/Heifer Sale/index.htm

“They did a lot of work this year,” said Club Advisor Steve Hendress, who added that the club put together their own catalogs to save on expenses this year. “Thanks for your support and we look forward to seeing you all next year.”

Sponsors for the 2008 sale included ADM Alliance Nutrition, United Producers, Inc. who also served as the clerks for the event, Dairy Solutions and Farmer’s Exchange.