2023 Ohio Sale of Champions Beef

The 2023 Sale of Champions livestock auction once again wrapped up the Ohio State Fair. The event, held Sunday afternoon Aug. 6 in the WCOL Celeste Center, showcased Ohio’s premium livestock, premier junior fair exhibitors and generous supporters. On the sale bill were the grand champion and reserve champion of many species, including market beef, market barrows, market lambs, market chickens and boer goats, as well as the grand champion market turkey and a block of Swiss cheese to represent the seven dairy champions. In full, the 2023 auction raised a total of $547,500.

Ohio Farm Bureau, along with partner Kroger, purchased the Reserve Grand Champion Market Beef exhibited by Beckett Winegardner from Allen County, which sold for $37,500. Winegardner received $18,000 from the sale, with the remaining $19,500 going to the Virgil L. Strickler Youth Reserve Program.

Ohio Farm Bureau, along with partners Bob Evans and Kroger, also purchased the Reserve Grand Champion Market Barrow exhibited by Logan Deel of Gallia County, which sold for $35,000. Deel received $9,000 from the sale, with the remaining $26,000 going to the Virgil L. Strickler Youth Reserve Program.2023 Reserve Market Barrow

Established in 1995, the Youth Reserve Program was developed to reward junior exhibitors who participate in the Ohio State Fair. This year’s Sale of Champions raised $421,500 for the Youth Reserve Program; since its inception the program has awarded over $5 million to more than 44,000 youth exhibitors. Earlier this year, Gov. Mike DeWine renamed the program the Virgil L. Strickler Youth Reserve Program, after the Ohio Expo Center and Ohio State Fair general manager, who spearheaded the program, announced his retirement after 30 years of service.

Ohio Farm Bureau’s mission is working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities. Learn more at ohiofarmbureau.org.

This is a news release for use by journalists. Questions should be directed to Ty Higgins, 614-246-8231 or [email protected].

Editors: High-resolution photos for both the Reserve Grand Champion Market Beef and the Reserve Grand Champion Market Barrow are available for download.

 

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