$43,000 steer sale helps Great Frederick Fair youth auction top $1 million

A steer raised by 16-year-old Colton Nusbaum sold for $43,000 at The Great Frederick Fair on Saturday, Sept. 26, helping highlight a Youth Livestock Sale that surpassed $1 million, according to reporting by The Frederick News-Post.

Dan and Staci Caiola, owners of The Banyan in downtown Frederick, purchased the 1,313-pound crossbred steer, which had earned Reserve Champion Overall honors. Colton had expected a sale price closer to $8,000 or $10,000.

The bid was one of the highest paid for an individual animal in the fair’s history, but it was not the record. Although the sale was initially announced that way, the News-Post reported that Jana Inskeep’s steer brought $57,000 in 2023 during a community effort to support her after a leukemia diagnosis.

Saturday’s auction did set an overall fundraising record, according to Joshua Ruby, owner and auctioneer with Elevated Auctions Co. Ruby told the newspaper the sale had brought in more than $1 million, with a final total still unavailable Saturday evening.

The day included 336 animals. The sale began with turkeys and rabbits before moving through cattle, sheep, swine and goats.

Immediately before Colton’s steer sold, Piper Seiss’ Grand Champion Overall Steer brought $15,000. The Farmhouse Exchange and Oak Bluff Farm purchased that 1,426-pound crossbred animal.

For Colton, the auction followed months of daily care. He had been raising his steer since November, walking and feeding it, managing its comfort in the heat and grooming its coat. He told the newspaper he had not known the eventual buyers and had not expected them to purchase his animal.

The Caiolas described their participation as a way to recognize that sustained work. Staci grew up in 4-H, and the couple has made buying animals at the fair a tradition since purchasing The Derby in New Market. Over the years, they have also bought animals raised by employees and their children’s friends.

Dan told the News-Post that livestock projects teach responsibility through everyday tasks, from feeding and cleaning to maintaining a schedule. He described the purchases as a way to give back to young people for that commitment.

The couple also connects some of its purchases with what Dan described as a fair-to-table approach at their restaurants. The Banyan, their restaurant and events venue at 216 E. Patrick St., opened this spring, according to the newspaper.

Colton’s plans for the proceeds were less elaborate: he expected to save the money. He also said he intended to return to the fair next year.