Sale of Champions

Records Set at 2024 Iowa State Fair Sale of Champions

With a final swing of the gavel, the Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement (IFAA) raised $669,000 for the 16 exhibitors of 4-H and FFA Grand and Reserve Champion livestock in the Sale of Champions Saturday, August 17, at the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

Eight champion records were broken during the 2024 Sale.

The Grand Champion 4-H Market Steer stole the show with an all-time record for all species at $175,000. The Reserve Grand Champion 4-H Market Heifer sold for a record price of $57,500. The Grand Champion 4-H Market Hog brought in a record price of $61,500, and the Grand Champion FFA Market Lamb sold for a record price $32,500. The Reserve Grand Champion FFA Market Lamb brought in a record price of $20,000. The Grand Champion FFA Meat Goat sold for a record $25,000, and the Grand Champion 4-H Meat Goat sold for a record price of $30,000. The Grand Champion 4-H Market Broilers brought in a record of $15,000.

Participants in the Sale of Champions were asked to find hometown support. The purchaser in the auction paid the difference between local support and the final sale price. Each participant in the sale takes home a check for 75 percent of the animal’s sale price. The IFAA keeps 25 percent to fund the scholarship program and cover Sale expenses. In addition to their earnings, the exhibitors of the Grand Champion 4-H Market Steer, Grand Champion 4-H Market Hog, Grand Champion 4-H Market Lamb and Grand Champion 4-H Breeding Heifer earn the use of a new aluminum livestock trailer for one year, courtesy of Featherlite, Inc., of Cresco, Iowa. The Grand Champion 4-H and FFA Market Meat Goats receive aluminum toppers.

In addition to the sale, the IFAA awarded $241,600 in scholarships as well as performance and carcass awards in the amount of $25,950 presented prior to the Sale, for a total $936,550 for young livestock exhibitors. Since 1988, the IFAA has raised over $11 million to support the future of Iowa’s youth and future Ag leaders.