Ohio State Fair Sale of Champions breaks two records

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State Fair Sale of Champions livestock auction, held this afternoon 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.

“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 Ohio Expo Center is proud to host the Ohio State Fair. With big-name entertainment, educational activities, hundreds of exhibits and one of the largest junior livestock shows in the nation, the 2019 Ohio State Fair will run July 24 – Aug. 4.

For more information, visit ohiostatefair.com, call 1-888-OHO-EXPO or 1-614-644-FAIR.