Records Set at 2023 Iowa State Fair Sale of Champions

DES MOINES, IA (08/23/2023) (readMedia)-- With a final swing of the gavel, the Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement (IFAA) 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 Saturday, August 19, at the 2023 Iowa State Fair.

Eight champion records were broken during the 2023 Sale.

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 percent of the animal's sale price. The IFAA keeps 25 percent 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.

In addition to the sale, the IFAA awarded $231,600 in scholarships as well as performance and carcass awards in the amount of $23,950 presented prior to the Sale, for a total $963,050 for young livestock exhibitors. Since 1988, the IFAA has raised over $11 million to support the future of Iowa's youth and future Ag leaders.

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The Iowa State Fair is one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country and the single largest event in the state. The Fair began over 160 years ago and is now considered one of the best events in the nation, attracting more than one million Fairgoers every year from all over the world. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University, just off the interstate and minutes from Downtown Des Moines. Best Days Ever at the Iowa State Fair, August 10-20, 2023. For more information, visit www.iowastatefair.org.