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.

 

New and beginning farmers
My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
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Greg McGlinch

Darke County Farm Bureau

New and beginning farmers
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We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
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Nathan and Jill Parriman

Clermont County Farm Bureau

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Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
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It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
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Wyatt Morrow

Clinton County Farm Bureau

Youth pathways in Farm Bureau
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The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
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Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
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Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
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Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Select Partner Program
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So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
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Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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