Prairie State Wire

The annual Governor's Sale of Champions at the Illinois State Fair auctions off the best livestock as judged by competitions throughout the fair. Grand Champion is the highest distinction youth exhibiting livestock in Illinois can earn, and tonight, 10 exhibitors took home that title.

Governor JB Pritzker and First Lady MK Pritzker acquired the Grand Champion Steer for the fifth consecutive year, donating $105,000 towards its purchase. The steer will be donated to Feeding Illinois and distributed to food banks across the state.

"These young exhibitors represent the best of the best in Illinois agriculture," said Jerry Costello II, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. "Earning a spot in the Sale of Champions is the result of a tremendous amount of work - late nights and early mornings in the barn. It's hard work. To see our youth in agriculture recognized for their effort is beyond gratifying."

Grand Champion exhibitors, along with Reserve Grand Champion exhibitors, will receive a portion of proceeds from their animal sales. These funds are typically used for college education or reinvested into future projects.

Recognizing education's importance, CME Group contributed $50,000 to be split into nine scholarships for this year's event. Beck's Hybrids provided $20,000 to be divided among grand champions.

Below are results from both the 2024 Commodity Auction and Sale of Champions:

Commodity:

- Champion Queso Blanco Cheese: V&V Supremo Foods (Chicago, IL), purchased by Midwest Dairy for $1,050.

- Champion Bourbon Black Pepper Cheese: Shullsburg Creamery (Shullsburg, IL), purchased by University of Illinois College of ACES for $800.

- Champion Strawberry Cheesecake Custard: Front Street Creamery (El Paso, IL), purchased by Marty & Donna Davis (McDonald's) for $600.

- Champion French Onion Dip: Prairie Farms Carbondale (Carbondale, IL), purchased by Butch Jacobs Family for $300.

- Champion Buckeye Ice Cream: Prairie Farms Rockford (Rockford, IL), purchased by Marty & Donna Davis (McDonald's) for $250.

- Champion Bacon: Eickman's Processing Co., Inc. (Seward, IL), purchased by Paul Turner (Turner Farms) for $700.

- Champion Bone-In Ham: Eickman's Processing Co., Inc. (Seward, IL), purchased by Marty & Donna Davis (McDonald's) for $750.

- Champion Beef Jerky: Korte Meat Processing (Highland, IL), purchased by Illinois State Auctioneers Association for $600.

- Champion Snack Sticks: Wenneman Meat Co. (Saint Libory, IL), purchased by Illinois State Auctioneers Association for $1,200.

- Champion Cooked Bratwurst: Behrmann Meat & Processing (Albers, IL), purchased by Brian Engelmann (Engelmann Construction) for $1,700.

- Illinois State Fair Wine Show Champion: Blue Sky Vineyard (Makanda, IL), purchased by Kim Carney Rhodes supporting Friends of Macoupin County Fair for $750.

- Grand Champion Honey: William Budd (Springfield, IL), purchased by former Director Joe Hampton for $800.

- Grand Champion Dairy Goat Milk: Ava Crites (Rantoul, IL), purchased by Marty & Donna Davis (McDonald's) for $525.

Animal:

- Grand Champion Rabbit Market Pen: Chesney Thornton from Piatt County; purchasers included Robert Nelson & AgriVest Farm Management among others totaling $5,000.

- Grand Champion Poultry Meat Pen: Oakley Yard from Knox County; purchaser was Marty & Donna Davis from McDonald's totaling $5,000.

Additional notable purchases include:

Land of Lincoln Supreme Champion Dairy Cow Print went to Connor Hartmann from Bond County with multiple buyers contributing a total price of $6 750

Land Of Lincoln Grand champion meat goat Kadie Hummel From Kankakee county Purchased By Keifer farms Syngenta And illinois state fair sky ride For 5500

Grand champion meat goat Bryce Clayton From Scott county Purchased By George Obernagel And Obernagel family farms For 8000

Land Of Lincoln grand champion market lamb Karly Reel From LaSalle county Purchased By Springfield plastics Edward Teefey J.O Harris equipment Gensini excavating For 5000

Grand champion market lamb Nora Hoge From McDonough county Purchased By North American Midway Entertainment For 8500

Land Of Lincoln grand champion barrow And grand champion barrow Olivia Shike From Champaign county Purchased By CME group For 25000

Land Of Lincoln grand champion steer Chace Riley From Grundy county Purchased By Brandt Friends Of Chace Riley Senator Sue Rezin For 65000

Grand champion steer Kade Gensini From Putnam county Purchased By Governor JB Pritzker And First Lady MK Pritzker Friends Of The Gensini Family Totaling 110000