Sale Of Champions Breaks Three Records

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Governor Pat Quinn proved to be a good “arm twister” at Tuesday evening’s Sale of Champion Illinois State Fair livestock and commodities.

“I wish you could raise as much money for the state of Illinois as you have here tonight,” master of ceremonies Orion Samuelson said.

With the encouragement of the governor, three records were broken. The first was for Sarah DeSchepper’s Grand Champion Wether. DeSchepper’s wether was auctioned off for $12,500, beating the previous record by $3,000.

“It’s awesome,” DeSchepper, 18, of Altona, said. “I’ve been here eight times and never done it. I’m glad this could be the year and I could be a part of it.”

The second record was for the sales price of the Land of Lincoln Grand Champion Barrow.  It fetched $10,100 for showman Adam Gradert, 13, of Geneseo, or $100 more than the previous mark. 
 
The third record was for Sherman teenager Austin Burris and his Grand Champion Steer. His steer was sold for a whopping $51, 200, breaking the previous record of $50,100.

“I was excited and I couldn’t believe it. It’s unbelievable,” the 18-year-old Burris said.

Joining these three record-breakers was a newcomer.  13-year-old Kenzie Schlipf came to the sale for the first time with her Grand Champion Rabbit Meat Pen.

“It’s a lot to take in and there are a lot of people,” Schlipf, who was all smiles as her meat pen sold for $3,700, said.

Schlipf was accompanied at the auction by her cousin Bodee Schlipf, who exhibited the Grand Champion Barrow.  It sold for $16,000. 

“It was really lucky. We never thought we’d both be in it,” Kenzie said.

The Grand Champion Poultry Meat Pen brought $3,500 for exhibitor James Banas, 13, of Wimington, while the Grand Champion Meat Goat sold for $3,000.  Its exhibitor was 12-year-old Dylan Hummel of Cabery. 

The sale raised $135,200 Tuesday night.  The junior producers who raised the animals receive 80 percent of the sales price.  The remaining 20 percent is divided equally between the 4H and FFA youth education programs.   
A list of all the animals sold at the auction as well as their owners, the purchasers, and the amount that each animal sold for follows: