2007 Sale of Champions Sets Record Yet Again

(SEDALIA, Mo.) – Youth in Agriculture Day was celebrated Saturday, August 18, at the 2007 Missouri State Fair, with the highlight being yet another record setting auction at the annual Sale of Champions. The sale raised $137,700 to benefit Missouri youth involved in agriculture.

The opening lot was the Grand Champion Steer, exhibited by Allie Massa of Lamar. The 1,260-pound Crossbred steer sold for $24,000; it was purchased by Monsanto and hometown supporters. Allie’s steer was donated to the Missouri FFA Leadership Fund.

The Grand Champion Market Hog, exhibited by Kayla Mitchell of Clinton, was next. The 290-pound Crossbred hog was purchased by Farmland Foods, Inc., Kingsville Livestock Market and MU Independent Aggies and hometown supporters for $18,000. The Grand Champion Barrow was donated to the MU Independent Aggies.

Brady Minear, of Livonia, exhibited the Grand Champion Market Lamb. Bank Midwest along with hometown supporters purchased the 131-pound Suffolk lamb for $12,200. The Missouri 4-H Foundation received the lamb from Bank Midwest.

The Grand Champion Pen of Rabbits followed, exhibited by Ty Missey of O’Fallon. The New Zealand rabbits were purchased by Heartland Farm and Home and hometown supporters for $5,200.

Grace Madsen of Willard exhibited the Grand Champion Pen of Chickens. The Cornish Cross Broilers sold to the Missouri State Fair Concessionaires and Commercial Exhibitors along with hometown support for $5,100.

The Grand Champion Meat Goat was exhibited by Tyler McVay of Kirksville. The Boer-Cross goat was bought for $9,400 by Briarwood Angus Farms and Bank Midwest along with hometown support. Briarwood Angus and Bank Midwest donated the goat to the University of Missouri Tiger Training Table.

The Reserve Champion Steer was shown by Kristin Dilly of Deerfield. This 1,280- pound steer was purchased for $20,500 by Miller County Regional Stockyards and hometown supporters. The steer was donated to the MU Independent Aggies.

Kimberlee Gieseker of Martinsburg showed the Reserve Champion Barrow. The 277-pound crossbred barrow was purchased for $20,000 by Edward Jones and Associates along with hometown supporters. The Reserve Champion Barrow was donated to the MU Independent Aggies.

Jake Campbell of Green City exhibited the Reserve Champion Market Lamb. The Crossbred lamb weighed 136-pounds and was purchased for $8,700 by Monsanto, ADM/Moorman Show Tec Feed and hometown support. The Reserve Champion Lamb was donated to the Missouri 4-H Foundation.

The Reserve Champion Pen of Rabbits was exhibited by, Kimberly Deutsch of Marshall. Her Californian rabbits sold for $3,700 to MFA Incorporated Charitable Foundation, Missouri State Rabbit Producers Association along with hometown support. The Pen of Rabbits was donated to the Missouri 4-H Foundation.

The Reserve Champion Pen of Chickens sold for $3,700 to Subway, Mark’s Brothers Vending, Good Time Charlie’s along with hometown support. Grace Madsen of Willard exhibited the Cornish cross birds. The Reserve Champion Pen of Chickens was donated to the Missouri 4-H Foundation.

Edward Jones and Associates and the Missouri Meat Goat Producers Association purchased the Reserve Grand Champion Meat Goat for $6,100. The Boer-Cross was exhibited by Adam Thompson of Maryville. The Reserve Grand Champion Meat Goat was donated to the University of Missouri Tiger Training Table.

The last lot of the sale was the No. 1 Silver Plate, Limited Edition State Fair Commemorative Belt Buckle. Smithton Industries and Boggs Audio bought the buckle for $1,100.

At the end of the Sale, auctioneer Mike Williams announced that $137,700 was the grand total with each animal breaking all previous sales records making the 2007 Missouri State Fair Sale of Champions the most successful sale to date.

Wayne Yokley, Chairman of the Missouri State Fair Youth in Agriculture Committee and Superintendent of the Sale of Champions, said the Sale of Champions cannot be credited for its large success without the support from our Youth in Agriculture Sponsors. Proceeds from the Sale go to the exhibitors and to Youth in Agriculture scholarships.