WEST ALLIS – The Blue Ribbon Sale of Champions Foundation and Wisconsin State Fair officials hosted another successful auction, raising $426,750 for the Wisconsin State Fair’s young livestock exhibitors at the 2024 Governor’s Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction (GBRLA).
This year, the GBRLA provided $40,000 in scholarships and $22,000 for the Wisconsin State Fair Junior Exhibitor Showmanship, Knowledge Master Showman and Reserve Champion awards.
“We are so grateful to the buyers, sponsors and supporters who come year after year to support Wisconsin’s youth in agriculture,” said Bob Johnson, president of the Blue Ribbon Sale of Champions Foundation. “Funds raised through the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction directly benefit the Wisconsin State Fair’s young livestock exhibitors.”
In attendance were Governor Tony Evers, Wisconsin State Fair CEO Shari Black, Wisconsin State Fair Park Chairman John Yingling and Secretary of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Randy Romanski. In true Wisconsin fashion, the evening began with entertainment by the UW-Madison Marching Band and Bucky Badger, which has become a beloved tradition for auction attendees.
The auction at the Coliseum started promisingly: Auctioneer Gary Finley brokered the sale of the Grand Champion Steer exhibited by Luke Andis, which sold for $35,000 to Kenosha Beef International.
Successful bids:
● Grand Champion Market Lamb (Hampshire), exhibited by Brayden Bowers of Belmot, winning bid of $21,500 from Molson Coors
● Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb (Natural Colored) exhibited by Brayden Bowers of Belmont, maximum bid of $10,000 from Leffs Lucky Town, Ironwood Golf Course, Bunzel’s Meat Market, Blue Moon Tavern, Trawicki Electric, Major Goolsby’s, Fein Brothers, Swag Promotions , Hot House Tavern, Venture Architects, Slim McGinns
● Grand Champion Bred and Owned Market Steer (Simmental), exhibited by Dallas Havens of Blanchardville, winning bid of $20,000 by Wisconsin Souvenir Milk Caps
● Grand Champion Bred and Owned Market Barrow (Yorkshire), exhibited by Emerson Butts of Evansville. Winning bid of $18,000 from Klondike Farm, Klitzman Seed LLC, Top Notch Feed, Bennett Family, Booze Family, Oma and Opa Bartz, Slater Family, Julie and Kyle Johnson, AC Agronomy, Taylor and Owen Ringhand, R&K and Sons, 33 Feeds, Grorge Andrew, Veum Genetics, Gold Crest Farms, Travis Family, Kegonsa Cattle Co.
● Champion Shorthorn Plus Steer, exhibited by Camden Russel of Shullsburg, winning bid of $15,000 by the Lafayette County Buyers Group
● Champion Poland China Barrow, exhibited by Brady Long of Darlington, winning bid of $5,000 by the Lafayette County Buyers Group
● Champion Dairy Steer, exhibited by Mackenna Slater of Evansville, winning bid of $13,000 from American Food Group
