Auction record set by sheep champ

MOSES LAKE - Jacob Barth broke a Grant County Fair record, earning $37 per pound for his lamb at the market auction Friday.

That comes out to approximately $4,600 total.

Bill Bjork, owner of Vista Service Towing, purchased the lamb, says Barth.

"The first thing that entered my mind was obviously 'wow,'" says Barth. "But it was neat just to get the recognition and get the attitude from the crowd that everything that I did, it was worth something. And it's almost like they're trying to give something back, in a way."

He couldn't think about it for long, though.

"It was getting kind of emotional and I tried toughening up a little bit in front of all the people, so I tried to keep my mind blank," he says.

Over the years, Barth has developed a thorough knowledge of the criteria the judges use to evaluate the livestock.

For lambs, bigger is better.

"It's changing a little bit with the market today," he says. "They're wanting bigger lambs."

Ideally, lambs should weigh between 140 to 145 pounds, he says. The judges also look for good shape and balance.

Barth breeds champions by first selecting a stud buck and ewe with desirable characteristics. Generally they pass those characteristics on to their offspring.

"If I put (a stud buck) on a ewe that also has those same characteristics, chances are that lamb's going to be just as good or even better," he says. "I evaluate them. I keep good stock and if there's something I don't like about one lamb that's severe enough, I'll get rid of it, because I don't want it in my operation. I'm trying to breed champions here."

Barth was fortunate that his father, Todd, and brother, Andrew, set up the initial breeding operation, he says.

"I was very fortunate, because when I came in I already had a system set up and I just had to maintain it, where my dad and Andy started it up. They brought in the good stock, they went and found the good bucks. So my job really has been easy and I guess one thing I've always tried to do is appreciate that and always express my thankfulness because they were the ones who got us on the ground running. They deserve most of the credit."

This year's Grant County Fair was the best Barth has experienced, he said.

He showed both grand and reserve champion market lambs and the grand champion fitting and showing lamb. In the hog barn, he showed the reserve market champion and reserve fitting and showing champion for juniors and seniors. He also won the round robin championship for his age division in senior FFA. He brought home four buckles and a plaque.

"It definitely was a good way to go out," he says.

This is Barth's last year competing at the Grant County Fair and he's preparing to show for the last time at the North Central Washington Fair and the Adams County Fair. He has three shows this spring, then will be done.

He's excited and sad at the same time, he says.

"I've been showing all my life, whether it's been in 4-H, or just helping my brother and sister, so I'm definitely excited to start a new chapter," he says. "It definitely hit me coming home, though, after the fair was over and bringing the animals back that I wouldn't be doing it anymore. And that hurt a little bit, that stung. Some of my best memories have come from showing livestock, whether it be with my friends or whether it be the competition itself, but I can honestly say that this year's Grant County Fair was the best fair that I've had. Ever."

His success showing animals was partly why he enjoyed the fair so much this year, but friends like Michael Heitstuman also played an important role.

"Mike and I have been showing against each other from our first year in 4-H, but the really neat thing is Mike and I have been friends just as long," says Barth. "And I can honestly say that Mike has been my strongest competition throughout my entire career, but we've still been able to maintain a strong friendship. ... We'll definitely give it our all trying to beat each other, but it's almost like once we step out, we forget about it and we're back to being best friends. I've learned in my very short life that it's hard to find a friendship like that."

He plans to stay involved with FFA in the future.

"I've been blessed with so many different opportunities and so many wonderful experiences; I'm definitely going to come back and do what I can to give back to the kids and give back to the organization," he says.

He also intends to run for state FFA office next May, which, if elected, would take him across the state putting on leadership workshops and representing Washington at the national state convention in Indianapolis. Otherwise, he'll complete an associate's degree at Big Bend Community College and work for his family's auction company in Moses Lake.

"All the help from family and friends along the way ... I couldn't have done it without them," says Barth. "And I guess I just appreciate everything they've done for me. All the time and the resources that they've put into it, it just means a lot."