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Governor's Sale of Champions sets new record with steer sale          Send a link to a friend

[August 15, 2007]  SPRINGFIELD -- The 2007 Illinois State Fair Governor's Sale of Champions was a success yet again, with a record purse collected for the grand champion steer. Yahtzee, a 1,344-pound crossbred steer owned by Nicholas Day of Lovington, sold for $45,000. The sale price eclipsed the record $41,000 purchase price of the champion in 2006. The buyers were DeKalb Asgro Corp., Simmons and Cooper Law Offices, Battery Specialists, and the State Bank of Monticello.

"It's a family affair, but this is our biggest win," he said.

Day said he plans to use his portion of the winnings -- 10 percent of the sale price goes to 4-H and another 10 percent goes to FFA -- to help pay for college. He said he plans to attend the University of Illinois to become a veterinarian.

Orion Samuelson, agribusiness director of WGN radio and 45-year veteran emcee of the event, said that the Sale of Champions is vital to the progress of agriculture in Illinois and is a very important steppingstone for the young exhibitors.

"It's the Super Bowl for these kids," Samuelson said. "They've been working since they started these as projects a year ago, and this is the final."

First lady Patti Blagojevich assisted state Agriculture Director Chuck Hartke in encouraging bidders to support the state's young livestock producers. One of the beneficiaries was 11-year-old Jazzmyn Whittier of Bloomington. Whittier sold her champion New Zealand white rabbits for $3,000 to Brandt Consolidated, Sky-Fair and, appropriately, Friends of Bugs Bunny. She said she was taken aback by the amount her rabbits earned her.

"I was surprised that it got nearly that high," Whittier said. She added that the whole experience was an exciting one for her.

She also added that she plans to save some of the money for culinary school, while using the rest on rabbit supplies. Plan on seeing her back in the future, as Whittier said she has more rabbits at home she plans on showing. However, the rabbits will only be New Zealand whites, with good reason.

"They're my grandpa's favorite kind," Whittier said.

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Below is a list of exhibitors and purchasers for the 2007 Governor's Sale of Champions and Commodities Auction:

Exhibitor: Kristen Jordan

Purchaser: Prairie Farms

Exhibitor: Sarah DeSchepper

Purchaser: Crop Production Services, Rural King, Friends of DeScheppers

Exhibitor: Bryce Walters

Purchaser: Illinois Green Industry Association, 17th Street Barbecue

Exhibitor: Danny Zehr

Purchaser: Land of Lincoln Breeders, Supporters of the Land of Lincoln Program

Exhibitor: Angela Boesche

Purchaser: Brandt Consolidated

Exhibitor: Jazzmyn Whittier

Purchaser: Brandt Consolidated, Sky Fair, Friends of Bugs Bunny

Exhibitor: Ryan Sanders

Purchaser: Jason Elvidge and Dr. Margaret MacGregor, Committee to Break the Billy Goat Curse at Wrigley Field

Exhibitor: Lynsie Bane

Purchaser: North American Midway Entertainment, Horizon Farms, Friends of Banes

Exhibitor: Miles Toenyes

Purchaser: McDonald's Corporation

Exhibitor: Nicholas Day

Purchaser: DeKalb Asgro Corp., Simmons-Cooper Law Offices, Battery Specialists, State Bank of Monticello

Exhibitor: Galena Cellars, Christine Lawlor-White
Purchaser: Audio-Techni Services (in memory of Bernie Beard)

Exhibitor: Jim Belli

Purchaser: Don and Karen Schrader (donated back to Illinois Beekeepers Association)

Exhibitor: Weber Meats

Purchaser: George Obernagel

Exhibitor: Eickman's Processing Co.

Purchaser: Filer Auction and Appraisals Inc.

Exhibitor: Weber Meats

Purchaser: Elaine and Fred Nessler

Exhibitor: Miller's Meat Market

Purchaser: Illinois State Auction Association, Farm Credit Services

Exhibitor: Fair Oaks Dairy Products

Purchaser: Corporate Training Center

Exhibitor: Kraft Foods

Purchaser: Cory Craig, William Beck Auction and Realty

Exhibitor: Avanti Food Co.

Purchaser: ISAA, FCS

Exhibitor: Swiss Valley Farms

Purchaser: Fout Construction, Wayne K. Hanner, Judge John McCullough

Exhibitor: Evan Jodlowski

Purchaser: McDonald's, Taylorville

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Illinois recognizes excellence in agriculture

In recognition of Agriculture Day, a number of families, farmers, teachers and businesses received Ag Day awards for their excellence in one of the many agricultural fields. They are as follows:

Outstanding Farm Family -- Illinois Pork Producers: Roy and Fran Weitekamp, Raymond

Outstanding Farm Family -- Illinois Beef Association: Indian Knoll Cattle Farm, Mechanicsburg

Illinois Conservation Climate Initiative, sponsored by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency: Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Springfield

Governor's Conservation Farm Family, sponsored by Association of Soil and Water

Conservation Districts: Dehlinger Farms, Olney

Outstanding Farm Family -- Illinois Farmers Union: Ron and Elsie Voelker, Mason

Outstanding Farm Family -- Illinois Farm Bureau: Lynden and Tina Endress, Pearl City

Outstanding Farm Family -- Illinois State Grange: Melvin and Dorothy Wagner, Marissa

Outstanding Farm Family -- Illinois National Farmers Organization: Larry and Jane Probst, Dietrich

Illinois Milk Producers' Association Environmental Stewardship Award: Steve Schwoerer Family

2007 Outstanding Sheep Producer, sponsored by Illinois Lamb & Wool Producers: Richard Woodcock and Family, Waterloo

Outstanding Agritourism Business Award, sponsored by Agriculture & Tourism Partners of Illinois: Curtis Orchard and Pumpkin Patch, Champaign

Outstanding Ag Lender, sponsored by Illinois Finance Authority: Dana Wiegand, Goodfield State Bank, Goodfield

Service to Agriculture -- Farm Credit Services Award: Mike Adams, St. Louis, Mo.

R.J. Vollmer Sustainable Agriculture Farm, sponsored by Illinois Department of Agriculture: Don and Enid Shepherd, Kirkland

Illinois Tree Farm of the Year, sponsored by Illinois Tree Farm Committee: Bob and Pacie Trimble, Monticello

Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association -- Best of Show: Galena Cellars Winery & Vineyard, Galena

Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association -- Governor's White: Willow Ridge Vineyards and Winery, Shelbyville

Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association -- Governor's Red: Prairie State Winery, Genoa

Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association -- Governor's Fruit: Pheasant Hollow Winery, Whittington

Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association -- Governor's Dessert/Sparkling: White Owl Winery, Birds

Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association -- Governor's Rose/Blush Cup: Von Jakob Vineyards, Pomona

Agricultural Education Excellence Award for Legislation, sponsored by Illinois Leadership Council for Agricultural Education: Sen. John Sullivan, Quincy

Agricultural Education Excellence Award for Agribusiness: Jill Carey-Hargrave, Kingston

Agricultural Education Excellence Award for Education: Ronald L. Reische, Springfield

Agricultural Education Excellence Award for Media Relations: RFD Radio, Bloomington

Perry Schneider Award of Special Recognition, sponsored by Illinois Leadership Council for Agricultural Education: Mike Massie, Galva

Illinois 4-H Family Spirit Award, sponsored by Illinois 4-H Foundation: Bauer-Hileman Families, Union County

50 Years of Volunteer Service to the Illinois 4-H Youth, sponsored by Illinois State 4-H, University of Illinois Extension: Harold Behling, Caledonia; Robert Hopkins, Stillman Valley; Eleanor J. Markwell, Casey; Lavanda Joergens, Dieterich; Orrin Vandeburg, Sycamore

Excellence in Teaching Award, District 1: Joe House, Princeville High School, Princeville

Excellence in Teaching Award, District 2: Parker Bane, Pontiac High School, Pontiac

Excellence in Teaching Award, District 3: Bruce Eidson, Southeastern High School, Augusta

Excellence in Teaching Award, District 4: Sue Schafer, Taylorville High School, Taylorville

Excellence in Teaching Award, District 5: Julie Bond-Ledford, Nashville, Nashville

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Campus Town: Community College Day, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

For some, the allure of college is the large campus and getting as far away as possible. For others, a smaller, more affordable college is the way to go. Wednesday is a day for the latter at Campus Town. Five of central Illinois' best community colleges will show why community college is a sensible choice. On hand will be Parkland College, Champaign; Lincoln Land Community College, Springfield; Springfield College in Illinois; Kaskaskia College; and Spoon River Community College, Canton. Come out and discover what makes community colleges in Illinois a quality investment in your future.

Hometown Pride: Galesburg, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Galesburg will present nine informational displays, each of which will highlight different activities and historical sites that can be found in the community, including information on Carl Sandburg, the famous novelist, who was born in Galesburg and has his very own historical site. Fairgoers will be able to learn about his life as well as the Lincoln-Douglas debates, one of which was held in the town of Galesburg on Oct. 7, 1858. Come check out these informational displays to learn about significant and historical events that happened in this great city.

Arena: truck and tractor pulls, 7:30 p.m.

The Illinois State Fair's motor sports tradition continues this year with the truck and tractor pull competition, sponsored by the Illinois Tractor Pullers Association. An event that is anticipated every year for onlookers and participators, this year's rendition is sure to please newcomers and returning fans. If you are looking for a breathtaking display of raw power, look no further.

Illinois Building auditorium: "Hidden Treasures" appraisal show, noon-6 p.m.

Aumann Auction will inspect items and give a written, fair market value report on each item brought in. Appraisal for each item will cost $5. Each person is limited to four items. No jewelry, knives, guns or large pieces of furniture will be accepted. This event will be from noon to 6 p.m. in the Illinois Building auditorium. All proceeds go to benefit the Illinois Association of Senior Centers.

The Heartland: Nerveless Nocks, noon-1 p.m.

They don't call them nerveless for nothing! Be sure to check out these appropriately named motorcyclists as they dart across the Heartland, racing at high speeds, performing stunts sideways and upside down, and leaping past each other. The presentation will also feature the motorcycle high-wire trapeze, a Nerveless Nocks signature act that combines the motorcycle, the circus trapeze and the high wire in racing on an aerial raceway.

[Text from Illinois State Fair news release received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]

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