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Ten-year 4-H member Erika Ennis’ grand champion market steer brought in $1,575 at Thursday’s livestock auction at the Morgan County 4-H Fair. The 1,396-pound animal was bought by Kokomo Grain Co.

The steer had been appraised at $1,270.

Ennis’ steer was one of 34 put up for auction Thursday as the fair wound down for the week. Also auctioned were 13 goats, 15 poultry entries, eight rabbits, 85 swine and 36 sheep.

The lively auction in the fairgrounds’ show arena lured in business owners and family members looking to help out local 4-H members. Any money the animal raises that is above its auction appraised value goes to the 4-Her. Most bidders don’t keep the animals, but rather send them straight to market.

“We’re just here to try to support 4-H and the kids who deal with it,” said Jeff Myrick, who owns Bud & Bloom Florist in Mooresville. “It’s a lot of work for one week.”

Myrick bought a goat and some chickens early in the auction, which he joked don’t normally go well with the flowers and gifts at his shop. Myrick said it was his third year attending the auction.

Martinsville Rural King store manager Ginny Clayton said she comes to the auction every year. Thursday, she was the highest bidder on some chickens and rabbits early in the auction, but she planned to buy more animals.

“These are my customers,” she said of the 4-H members and their families. “I’m just supporting my customers.”