News : Records Fall at State Fair Sale of Champions; Schminke\'s ewe nets $14K

With a final swing of the gavel, the Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement (IFAA) raised $286,300 for the 14 exhibitors of 4-H and FFA Grand Champions in the Sale of Champions Saturday, August 20, at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Two champion records were broken during the Sale. The Reserve Champion 4-H Market Heifer sold for a record $28,000, besting the previous mark of $20,000 set in 2008. The Grand Champion 4-H Broiler Pen also set a new record with a price of $5,800. The previous record was set in 2010 with a price of $5,700.

Participants in the Sale of Champions were asked to find hometown supporters to set a floor price for bidding. The purchaser in the auction paid the difference between the floor price and the final sale price. Each participant in the Sale takes home a check for 80 percent of the animal's sale price. The IFAA keeps 20 percent to fund the scholarship program and cover Sale expenses. In addition to their sale earnings, the exhibitors of the Grand Champion 4-H Market Steer, Grand Champion 4-H Market Hog and Grand Champion FFA Market Lamb earn the use of a new aluminum livestock trailer for one year courtesy of Featherlite, Inc., of Cresco.

When added with the $147,000 of scholarships and performance and carcass awards presented prior to the Sale, the IFAA bestowed $429,700 on young livestock and poultry exhibitors during the day's event. Since the inception of the Sale of Champions in 1988, the IFAA has given out more than $4.3 million through Sale proceeds and scholarships to deserving youth participating in agricultural-related projects and interested in agricultural-related careers.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2011 Iowa State Fair, celebrating 100 years of the Butter Cow August 11-21. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines, and are open 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. each day of the Fair. Exhibit hours may vary. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

2011 SALE OF CHAMPIONS WINNER GRAND CHAMPION FFA MARKET LAMB Chelsea Schminke – Van Horne Parents: Al & Kandy Schminke Chelsea Schminke is a veteran showman at the Iowa State Fair and enters the Sale of Champions for the fourth year with her Grand Champion FFA Market Lamb. Chelsea is an active member of the Benton Community FFA Chapter where she is involved on the officer team, contest teams, can food drive, adopt-a-highway and served as sheep chair of the Benton FFA Spring Livestock Show. Chelsea attends Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids and is studying Apparel Merchandising and Design. She is also involved in Dance Team and Fashion Club at Kirkwood. Chelsea enjoys helping future showman at livestock show camps and is a bridal associate at Hope’s Bridal and Boutique. ANIMAL:Grand Champion FFA Market Lamb EXHIBITOR: Chelsea Schminke, Van Horne, IA LOCAL SUPPORT: $9,350 FINAL PRICE: $14,000 BUYERS: Elanco, ADM Alliance Nutrition/Show Tec with support from Titan Machinery, AlumLine – Brad Davis, Linn Coop and $9,350 local support. For complete sale results, click here!