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The Ohio State Fair Sale of Champions livestock auction, held Sunday afternoon Aug. 5 in the WCOL Celeste Center, showcased Ohio’s premium livestock, premier junior fair exhibitors and generous supporters. On the sale bill were grand champion and reserve champion of many species, including market beef, market barrows, market lambs and market chickens, as well as the grand champion market goat, market turkey and a block of Swiss cheese to represent the seven dairy champions. In full, the livestock was auctioned for a total of $255,000.
Ohio Farm Bureau and Bob Evans Farms, Kale Marketing, Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association, Event Marketing Strategies and Huffman’s Market purchased the Reserve Grand Champion Market Barrow for $33,000, setting a new state fair record with the purchase.
“We wouldn’t have such a successful Sale of Champions if it weren’t for our talented and dedicated youth and our incredibly supportive buyers. Our Youth Reserve Program is very impactful to not just those in the Sale of Champions but for everyone involved in the youth organization. It is such an honor to reward everyone involved,” explained General Manager Virgil Strickler. “We are exceptionally pleased with the $167,000 raised for the Youth Reserve Program at today’s Sale of Champions.”
While these Junior Fair exhibitors take great pride in raising a quality animal, the ultimate goal each year is to be awarded a grand champion ribbon. Grand or reserve champion is an immense honor for the exhibitor; and with the Youth Reserve Program and generous buyers, it is rewarding for the entire Junior Fair program. This year’s sale broke two records: Reserve Grand Champion Market Barrow, which sold for $33,000, and Grand Champion Swiss Cheese, which sold for $28,000.
Established in 1995, the Youth Reserve Program’s was developed to reward junior exhibitors who participate in the Ohio State Fair. Funds for the program come from the dollars received over a cap that is placed on the amount an exhibitor can receive from the Sale of Champions. The funds from the program are distributed among carcass contests, scholarships, outstanding market exhibitor program, outstanding breeding exhibitor program, showmanship, skillathons, 4-H and FFA. The Youth Reserve Program has awarded $3,366,815 to approximately 40,000 youth exhibitors since its inception.
The 2018 Sale of Champions results are as follows:
Grand Champion Market Beef
Exhibited by: Caden Jones, Allen County
Purchased by: Steve R. Rauch, Inc.
Price: $41,500
Cap: $22,000
Reserve Grand Champion Market Beef
Exhibited by: Carver Gostomsky, Darke County
Purchased by: The Kroger Company
Price: $20,000
Cap: $11,000
Grand Champion Market Barrow
Exhibited by: Matthew Butterfield, Butler County
Purchased by: Meijer
Price: $48,000
Cap: $10,000
*Reserve Grand Champion Market Barrow
Exhibited by: Grant Adams, Mercer County
Purchased by: Bob Evans Farms, Kale Marketing, Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association, Ohio Farm Bureau, Event Marketing Strategies and Huffman’s Market
Price: $33,000*
Cap: $7,000
Grand Champion Meat Chickens
Exhibited by: Allison Davis, Carroll County
Purchased by: The Kroger Company, Gerber Poultry
Price: $14,000
Cap: $6,000
Reserve Champion Meat Chickens
Exhibited by: Meghan O’Reilly, Geauga County
Purchased by: The Kroger Company, Gerber Poultry
Price: $10,000
Cap: $4,000
Grand Champion Market Lamb
Exhibited by: Grant Johnson, Wayne County
Purchased by: The Kroger Company
Price: $21,000
Cap: $10,000
Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb
Exhibited by: Bailee Amstutz, Union County
Purchased by: Steve R. Rauch, Inc.
Price: $14,000
Cap: $7,000
Grand Champion Market Goat
Exhibited by: Ava Shroyer, Logan County
Purchased by: The Kroger Company
Price: $11,000
Cap: $5,000
Grand Champion Market Turkey
Exhibited by: Myah Jones, Clinton County
Purchased by: Kale Marketing, Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association, Cooper Farms, and RD Jones Excavating
Price: $14,500
Cap: $3,000
*Grand Champion Swiss Cheese, produced by Pearl Valley Cheese Co., representing the seven dairy champions and supreme dairy showmen
Exhibited by:
Grand Champion Ayrshire: Marissa Topp, Auglaize County
Grand Champion Brown Swiss: Keaton Topp, Shelby County
Grand Champion Guernsey: Abigayle Dicke, Mercer County
Grand Champion Holstein: Kristopher Ackley, Logan County
Grand Champion Jersey: Drake Tompkins, Morgan County
Grand Champion Red and White: Madeline Topp, Auglaize County
Grand Champion Milking Shorthorn: Aubree Topp, Shelby County
Supreme Showman, Week 1 – Exhibited by: Madelin Topp, Auglaize County
Supreme Showman, Week 2 – Exhibited by: Kinley Topp, Shelby County
Purchased by: AG Boogher and Sons, S&S Volvo and GMC Trucks
Price: $28,000*
Cap: $3,000
2018 total sale: $255,000
2018 amount earned for Youth Reserve Program: $167,000
*Denotes new record
The plan we are on is great. It’s comparable to my previous job's plan, and we are a sole proprietor.
To grow a network and gain perspective and knowledge in the industry through personal and professional development has been invaluable. Every day I learn and grow.
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.
Farm Bureau is what really got the word out. It’s been one of their goals to get this done.
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Because we are younger farmers just starting out, Farm Bureau has a lot of good opportunities and resources to help us grow in the future.
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