WEST ALLIS — The Blue Ribbon Sale of Champions Foundation and Wisconsin State Fair officials hosted another successful auction, raising $426,750 for Wisconsin State Fair youth livestock exhibitors at the 2024 Governor’s Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction (GBRLA).
This year, the GBRLA provided $40,000 in scholarship awards as well as $22,000 to fund Wisconsin State Fair Junior Exhibitor Showmanship, Knowledge Master Showman and Reserve Champion awards.
“We are so grateful to the buyers, sponsors and supporters who continue to show up year after year to support the youth of Wisconsin’s agriculture industry,” says Bob Johnson, President of the Blue Ribbon Sale of Champions Foundation. “The funds raised through the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction directly benefit the Wisconsin State Fair youth livestock exhibitors.”
In attendance was Governor Tony Evers, Wisconsin State Fair CEO Shari Black, Wisconsin State Fair Park Chairman John Yingling, and Secretary of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Randy Romanski. In true Wisconsin fashion, the evening was kicked off with entertainment from the UW-Madison Marching Band and Bucky Badger, which has become a popular tradition for auction attendees.
The auction started off strong in the Coliseum with auctioneer Gary Finley facilitating the sale of the Grand Champion Steer exhibited by Luke Andis which sold to Kenosha Beef International for $35,000.
Winning bids:
● Grand Champion Market Lamb (Hampshire) exhibited by Brayden Bowers of Belmot, Winning bid of $21,500 by Molson Coors
● Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb (Natural Colored) exhibited by Brayden Bowers of Belmont, Winning bid of $10,000 by 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 by Klondike Farm, Klitzman Seed LLC, Top Notch Feed, Bennett Family, Booze Family, Grandma and Grandpa 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 Lafayette County Buyers Group
● Champion Poland China Barrow exhibited by Brady Long of Darlington, Winning bid of $5,000 by Lafayette County Buyers Group
● Champion Dairy Steer exhibited by Mackenna Slater of Evansville, Winning bid of $13,000 by American Food Group
