News

Missouri Sale of Champions breaks record

The Missouri State Fair Sale of Champions set a record Saturday, raising a total of $157,350 and breaking the previous 2008 record by more than $4,000.  The high seller was Cooper Sutter’s Grand Champion Barrow for $31,000.  Bryana Binkley’s Grand Champion Steer sold for $26,000.

Payton Dahmer’s Grand Champion Market Lamb brought $14,000, but he tells Brownfield what he’s learned through the project is invaluable.

“Agriculture in general, and more specifically the livestock industry and what we’re doing here today, the connections that I’ve made and the doors that have been opened for me and the people that I’ve met, it’s going to benefit me as I go into my future and look toward my career,” Dahmer told Brownfield Ag News following the sale, “not just for me, but all the other kids that are involved in this really think it’s kind of a unique experience.”

By his own account, Dahmer has worked hard getting his project ready, but he’s grateful for the recognition.

“A lot of people from the outside looking in don’t realize the time and the effort and the money and all the investment that it takes to get these projects to the State Fair,” said Dahmer, who is from Nevada, Missouri, “and so to be recognized for your hard work is something that’s pretty special.”

Proceeds from the Sale go to the exhibitors and to Youth in Agriculture scholarships.

Brownfield Promotions Coordinator Shannon Yokely contributed to this article

AUDIO: Payton Dahmer (2 min. MP3)

The complete list of sale lots and buyers:

The opening lot was the Grand Champion Steer, exhibited by Bryana Binkley of Jefferson City.  Bryana’s 1,315 Crossbred steer sold for $26,000 and was purchased by Edward Jones and Associates, Wheeler’s Auctions & Real Estate, Charles Wheeler, Paris, MO; and Briarwood Angus Farm/Dr. Curtis & Ann Long.  Edward Jones and Associates included:  Roger Bennett, Trenton; Shane Adrian, Moberly; Ryan Beumer, Marshall; Michael Bode, Shelbina; Craig Bolger, Independence; Jim Bonderer, Chillicothe; Alan Brandt, Warrensburg; Kevin Brown, Bowling Green; Darren Collier, Carthage; Stan Davis, Clinton; Diane Dudenhoeffer, Marshall; Ann Echelmeier, Columbia; Tim Erickson, Bolivar; Joe Fluty, Sedalia; Bill Fretwell, Columbia; Patrick Goodknight, Joplin; Doug Hammer, Independence; Mark Harrison, Chillicothe; Tom Hissink, Nevada; Bill Hudson, Kansas City; Shannon Isaacson, Macon; Cliff Jones, Independence; Alan Kimbel, Warrenton; Paul Kissick, Kirksville; Adam Kliethermes, Independence; George Koepp, Raytown; Matt Kueny, Boonville; J. R. Lawless, Columbia; Matt Logan, Pleasant Hill; Lon Luckert, Brookfield; JD Manning, Clinton; Brian Massey, Webb City; Mark Matthews, St. Joseph; Virgil McDonald, Sedalia; Cole Merrill, Cameron; Matt Peiter, Boonville; Bill Phillips, Ozark; David Reid, Higginsville; Lance Reynolds, Boonville; Jason Sarsany, Savannah; Mark Saunders, Monroe City; Dennis Sieger, Clinton; Carl Simpson, Butler; John Skinner, Blue Springs; Doug Turnbough, Odessa; Brian Yarbrough, Excelsior Springs; George Morse, Harrisonville.  Additional funds for the Grand Champion Steer were also contributed by Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.  The steer was donated to the University of Missouri Meats Judging Team.

The Grand Champion Barrow was exhibited by Cooper Sutter of Taylor. Cooper’s 266-pound Crossbred hog was purchased for a record $31,000 by Edward Jones and Associates; Heimer & Associates/Rodney & Jacob Heimer, Quincy, IL; Heimer Hampshires/Jesse & Amy Heimer, Taylor, MO; Heimer Construction/Kent & Darin Heimer, Taylor; and Guesa USA of Sedalia; along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.  The barrow was donated to the Missouri Food Bank Association/Feeding Missouri.

Payton Dahmer of Nevada, exhibited the Grand Champion Market Lamb that was purchased for $14,000 by the Missouri State Fair Concessionaires and Commercial Exhibitors and Climate Corporation, a division of the Monsanto Company; along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.  The group of concessionaires included:  Allen Dennis Concessions, Inc.; Brown’s Fudge Shop, Inc.; Budweiser Stage/Mark’s Brothers; Chuck & Dee’s; Creamy Rich; Exclusive Home Products; Jackson’s Smokehouse, LLC; Kim-Laine Concessions; McKinney Food Services; Meadowlark Arts; Mid-America Health Source, Inc., dba: Copper Nut Kettle; Shallow Concessions; Signs by L & J; Versa Products; Webster Enterprises; and Westmoreland Concessions.  The lamb was donated to the Missouri State Fair Employees’ Association.

The Grand Champion Pen of Meat Rabbits was exhibited by Cole Hammett of Ashland.  Cole’s New Zealand rabbits weighed an average of 5.47 pounds. His pen of rabbits was purchased by the Missouri State Rabbit Producers Association and RIBUS, Inc./Steve Peirce of St. Louis; along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters for a record price of $5,750.  The rabbits were donated to the Good Samaritan Food Bank in Jefferson City.

Hayden Duncan of Centertown, exhibited the Grand Champion Pen of Chickens. Hayden’s broilers weighed an average of 6.5 pounds and were purchased by Subway (in memory of Art DeJaynes) and Hawthorn Bank; along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters for $3,000.  The chickens were donated to the Billy Ficken Family (in memory of Billy Ficken).

The Grand Champion Meat Goat was exhibited by Hannah Viets of Sweet Springs. Hannah’s Boer goat weighed 76 pounds and was purchased for $8,000 by MU Sigma Alpha-Alpha Chi Sorority and Ag-Power, Inc.; along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters. The goat was donated to the University of Missouri Meats Judging Team.

Layne Robinson of Chillicothe, exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion Steer. Layne’s 1,320-pound Crossbred steer was purchased for $24,000 by MU Independent Aggies; LiveAuctions.tv and BTC Bank with locations in Bethany, Boonville, Gallatin, Albany, Pattonsburg, Chillicothe & Carrollton, MO; and Lamoni, IA; along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.

Carter Ward of Plattsburg, showed the Reserve Grand Champion Barrow.  Carter’s 244-pound Crossbred barrow was purchased for $20,500 by Elite Swine Program/ESP Show Feeds; Guesa USA, Sedalia; and Swiss Meat & Sausage Company, Hermann, MO; along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.  The barrow was donated to the Missouri Food Bank Association/Feeding Missouri.

Tyler Jenkins of Marshall, showed the Reserve Champion Market Lamb.  Tyler’s Crossbred lamb weighed 141 pounds and was purchased for a record price of $14,000 by DuPont Pioneer and Supporting Pioneer Sales Professionals and Agencies; and Truck’s Place and Little Truck’s Place located on the State Fairgrounds.  The DuPont Pioneer Sales Professionals included:  Brandon Badgley & Audrey Mallott, Tony & Toodie Brackman, Ed & Rita Hesse/Hesse Farms, LLC; Scott & Belinda Kennedy/Kennedy’s Seed Center, LLC; Josh Linderman/Shireman Seeds, LLC; Cory Robinson/CR Seeds & Services, LLC; Kevin & Lara Shireman/Shireman Seeds, LLC.  Additional funds were also contributed by Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.  The lamb was donated to the Missouri Food Bank Association/Feeding Missouri.

The Reserve Champion Pen of Meat Rabbits was exhibited by Gunnar Fisher of Verona.  Gunnar’s New Zealand rabbits weighed an average of 4.83 pounds and sold for $2,000 to the Missouri State Rabbit Producers Association and RIBUS, Inc./Steve Peirce of St. Louis; along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.  The rabbits were donated to the Good Samaritan Food Bank of Jefferson City.

Vivian Buie of Marshall, exhibited the Reserve Champion Pen of Chickens. Vivian’s Cornish-Cross chickens weighed an average of 6.3 pounds and sold for $1,100 to ADM Animal Nutrition/MoorMan’s ShowTec, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.  The chickens were donated to the Billy Ficken Family (in memory of Billy Ficken).

Brylee Williams of Princeton, exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion Boer goat, which weighed 93 pounds and sold for $6,200 to the Jerry Litton Family Memorial Foundation and BTC Bank; along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.  The goat was donated to the University of Missouri Meats Judging Team.

The last lot of the sale was the Limited Edition Sale of Champions Commemorative Belt Buckle, which was purchased by Boggs Audio/Brian Boggs of Waverly, IL.

Wayne Yokley, Chairman of the Missouri State Fair Foundation Youth in Agriculture Committee, and Superintendent of the Sale of Champions, said the large success of the Sale can only be attributed to the support received from Youth in Agriculture sponsors. Proceeds from the Sale go to the exhibitors and to Youth in Agriculture scholarships.