State fair Sale of Champions sets records

DES MOINES — With a final swing of the gavel, the Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement raised a sale record of $704,500 for the 16 exhibitors of 4-H and FFA Grand and Reserve Champion livestock in the Sale of Champions.

Eight champion records were broken during the sale at the Iowa State Fair last week, according to officials at the Iowa State Fair.

The Grand Champion FFA Market Hog stole the show with an all-time record for all species at $150,000. The Reserve Grand Champion 4-H Market Steer sold for a record price of $70,000.

The Grand Champion 4-H Market Heifer brought in a record price of $90,000, and the Reserve Grand Champion 4-H Market Heifer sold for $52,500.

The Grand Champion 4-H Market Lamb brought in a record price at $23,000, and the Grand Champion FFA Market Lamb sold for $28,000. The Grand Champion 4-H Meat Goat brought in a record price of $25,000, and the Grand Champion 4-H Market Broilers brought in a record of $12,000.

Participants in the Sale of Champions were asked to find hometown support. The purchaser in the auction paid the difference between local support and the final sale price.

Each participant in the sale takes home a check for 75% of the animal's sale price. The Foundation keeps 25% to fund the scholarship program and cover sale expenses.

In addition to their earnings, the exhibitors of the Grand Champion 4-H Market Steer, Grand Champion FFA Market Hog, Grand Champion 4-H Market Lamb and Grand Champion 4-H Breeding Heifer earn the use of a new aluminum livestock trailer for one year, courtesy of Featherlite, Inc., of Cresco, Iowa.

The Grand Champion 4-H and FFA Market Meat Goats receive aluminum toppers.

The Foundation also gave $231,600 in scholarships. Performance and carcass awards amounted to $23,950, presented prior to the sale, for a total $963,050 for young livestock exhibitors.

Since 1988, the Foundation has raised more than $11 million to support the future of Iowa's youth and future Ag leaders, according to officials.