The top selling steer in the Governor's Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction at the Wisconsin State Fair went for $35,000. Riley Runkel's 1,339 pound Crossbred steer was purchased Wednesday evening by Meijer Supermarkets. Runkel, who's from Racine County, also exhibited the grand champion market steer in 2019.
Tucker Bayer of Marathon County exhibited the reserve champion beef animal of the show. His Crossbred steer was purchased by Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcaps for $17,500.
Meanwhile, the top hog of the sale was sold by Claire Duch of Outagamie County for $13,000 to Statewide Fencing & Interstate Parking Company. And Katie Walkington of Kenosha County exhibited the Grand Champion Lamb. Her Crossbred sheep went for $13,000 on the auction block to Molson Coors.
Governor Tony Evers was on hand to greet the exhibitors and buyers, along with Bucky Badger and the UW-Madison Marching Band. In all, 25 animals were sold at the auction for a total of $321,950. Each exhibitor will receive 80 percent of the winning bid with the remaining 20 percent applied to youth scholarships, grants and auction expenses.
The 11-day fair continues through Sunday with more grandstand entertainment, tasty food and midway rides.
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A look back at top selling market animals of the past
2021: $47,500 - Tori Crisp, Racine Co. - Kenosha Beef Internationa
2019: $47,500 - Riley Runkel, Racine Co. - Meijer Supermarkets
2018: $47,500 - Reid Runkel, Racine Co. - Meijer Supermarkets
2017: $50,000 - Lauren May, Iowa Co. - Meijer Supermarkets
2016: $52,500 - Tori Crisp, Racine Co. - Kenosha Beef International
2015: $65,000 - Lauren May, Iowa Co. - Roundy's
2014: $45,000 - Lauren May, Iowa Co. - Potawatomi Hotel & Casino
2013: $30,000 - Dan Spoerlein, Kenosha Co. - Ken. Beef/Birch. Foods
2012: $27,500 - Brock May, Iowa Co. - Kenosha Beef/Birchwood Foods
2011: $27,500 - Colton Sullivan, Iowa Co. - Coca-Cola
2010: $15,000 - Brock May, Iowa Co. - Kenosha Beef/Birchwood Foods
2009: $15,000 - Brock May, Iowa Co. - Kenosha Beef International
2008: $25,000 - Brock May, Iowa Co. - Metcalfe Sentry Foods
2007: $35,000 - Brock May, Iowa Co. - Northland Explosive Co.
2006: $59,000 - Kelli Retallick, Grant Co. - Metcalfe Sentry Foods
2005: $58,500 - Kellon Whitley, Racine Co. - Metcalfe Sentry Foods
2004: $42,000 - Melissa Sterken, Walworth Co. - Packerland Packing
2003: $58,000 - Matt Weigel, Grant Co. - Gold's Pick 'n Save
2002: $50,000 - Miles Weigel, Grant Co. - Gold's Pick 'n Save
2001: $56,000 - Jessie Cody, Dunn Co. - Gold's Pick 'n Save
2000: $40,000 - Jaclyn Harrod, Iowa Co. - Gold's Pick 'n Save
** Source: Wisconsin Ag Connection archives
Categories: Wisconsin, Livestock