The 28th annual Mower County Fair 4-H Market Livestock Ribbon Auction earned $34,775 Saturday morning.

The unofficial total fell short of last year's record-setting $36,050, but sponsors were pleased of the total raised. "We are unique in the state of Minnesota," said Jerry Sampson, one of the auction volunteers. "Everybody wants to do what we are doing."

More than 320 buyers purchased 130 4-H ribbons. The individual 4-Her collects a portion of the proceeds, but the majority goes into the 4-H general fund and benefits all 4-Hers.

The top-selling ribbon was that of Mitchell Schaefer, son of Mark and Laura Schaefer, rural Adams.

The 4-Her's dairy steer champion ribbon was purchased for $750 by Northern Country Coop and Farmers State Bank of Adams.

Saturday's auction was dedicated to the memory of Colonel Paul Hull, who died earlier this year. Hull was among a group of auctioneers who volunteer their time for the auction each year.

On Saturday, Hull's son, Duane, sang the "Auctioneer's Song," his father made famous.

More details of the auction will appear in a future edition of the Austin Daily Herald.

Lee Bonorden can be reached at 434-2232 or by e-mail at lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com