COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The Ohio State Fair wrapped up Sunday in its traditional way: the sale of champions for this year’s top junior livestock exhibitors.
The auction sold the animals of 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) exhibitors who were crowned the grand and reserve champions for market beef, barrow, lamb, chickens, goats, turkey, and Swiss cheese exhibits.
This year’s winners came from all over Ohio.
Emotions ran high as a bidding war for this year’s grand champion steer smashed all prior records — $225,000 paid by S&S Volvo of Lima to rising high school junior Ryleigh Egbert from Auglaize County. All told, the auction raised $676,500, with more than half a million dollars going to the Youth Reserve Program.
“I don’t have the words to properly express how grateful I am for this fairtastic, record-breaking Sale of Champions,” said Ohio State Fair General Manager Virgil Strickler in a statement. “I am so proud of the junior fair livestock exhibitors and their hard work and dedication they show the livestock, and will be eternally grateful for the support of our buyers.”
The amount paid for the grand champion steer was the highest bid on any animal since the auction was first held in 1968, smashing the old record of $85,000 paid in 2011, according to the fair.
The 2022 Sale of Champions results are as follows:
*Grand Champion Market Beef
Exhibited by: Ryleigh Egbert, Auglaize County
Purchased by: S&S Volvo
Price: $225,000
Cap: $22,000
*Reserve Grand Champion Market Beef
Exhibited by: Delaney Jones, Allen County
Purchased by: Steve R. Rauch, Inc., Ohio Transparent Telecom, along with Mark and Megan Kvamme and family
Price: $100,000
Cap: $11,000
*Grand Champion Market Barrow
Exhibited by: Nick Adams, Mercer County
Purchased by: Bob Evans, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, and The Kroger Company
Price: $66,000
Cap: $10,000
*Reserve Grand Champion Market Barrow
Exhibited by: Mallory Petro, Gallia County
Purchased by: Mark and Megan Kvamme and family
Price: $52,500
Cap: $7,000
*Grand Champion Meat Chickens
Exhibited by: Delaney Johnson, Jefferson County
Purchased by: Kroger and Gerber Poultry
Price: $31,000
Cap: $6,000
*Reserve Champion Meat Chickens
Exhibited by: Caleb Bennett, Fayette County
Purchased by: Steve R. Rauch, Inc.
Price: $24,000
Cap: $4,000
*Grand Champion Market Lamb
Exhibited by: Elizabeth Shatto, Shelby County
Purchased by: The Kroger Company, Event Marketing Strategies, Tim and Glenda Huffman of Huffman’s Market, Ohio Harness Horseman’s Association, and Talley Amusements.
Price: $47,000
Cap: $10,000
*Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb
Exhibited by: Caleb Stone, Miami County
Purchased by: Meijer Inc.
Price: $30,000
Cap: $7,000
*Grand Champion Market Goat
Exhibited by: Braxton Method, Auglaize County
Purchased by: Mark and Megan Kvamme and Family
Price: $26,000*
Cap: $5,000
*Grand Champion Market Turkey
Exhibited by: Madison Estep, Madison County
Purchased by: OKI Inc., Cox Concessions, Schmidt’s, NetSteady, SP+, and Expo Services
Price: $25,000
Cap: $3,000
*Grand Champion Swiss Cheese, produced by Guggisberg Cheese Factory, representing the seven dairy champions and two supreme dairy showmen
Exhibited by:
Grand Champion Ayrshire: Logan Topp, Auglaize County
Grand Champion Brown Swiss: Madelyn Topp, Auglaize County
Grand Champion Guernsey: Aubree Topp, Shelby County
Grand Champion Holstein: Hannah Griffith, Brown County
Grand Champion Jersey: Blake Greiwe, Shelby County
Grand Champion Red and White: Allison Francis, Darke County
Grand Champion Milking Shorthorn: Christina Headings, Union County
Supreme Showman, Week 1 – Exhibited by: Olivia Finke, Madison County
Supreme Showman, Week 2 – Exhibited by: Madelyn Topp, Shelby County
Purchased by: AG Boogher & Sons, S&S Volvo, Turner Grain
Price: $50,000
Cap: $3,500
2022 total sale: $676,500
2022 amount earned for Youth Reserve Program: $588,000
*Denotes new record
Since its start, the Youth Reserve Program has awarded more than $4.1 million in scholarships to approximately 44,000 youth.
Last year, sales from the Sale of Champions totaled nearly $400,000 going to those winners as well as the Youth Reserve Program, which provides scholarships, 4-H and FAA program funding, and more.
The 2023 Ohio State Fair is scheduled for July 26-Aug. 6.