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Supporters of Governor’s Sale of Champions invest in ag youth

Buyers and supporters brought in nearly $190,000 for Illinois ag youth at the 2019 Governor’s Sale of Champions Tuesday.  Tim Andriesen with CME Group tells Brownfield it is a great way to invest in the future of agriculture.

“When I grew up, technology was ‘I can keep the combine running’. Today, it’s ‘Is the GPS working right? Am I downloading the right data to my computer? Am I running the right software to analyze it?’. To be successful in that environment, we need kids that are well-educated.”

CME group was not only a buyer at this year’s auction but also donated $50,000 in scholarships to the grand and reserve overall livestock exhibitors.

The auction concluded with a bidding war between Governor JB Pritzker and his wife MK, for the Grand Champion Steer. Mrs. Pritzker had the final bid at $75,000.

The grand champion rabbit meat pen was exhibited by Owen Pree and was purchased by AgriVest Farm Management and George Obernagel for $4,000.

The grand champion poultry market pen was exhibited by Faith Foster and was purchased by McDonald’s owners Embry, Breznay, McGraw and Davis for $5,000

The Land of Lincoln grand champion meat goat was exhibited by Chase Tomhave and was purchased by Syngenta, Prairie Land FS, Springfield Plastics, Edward Teefey, Sky Ride and Beard Implement for $5,500.

The grand champion meat goat was exhibited by Tara Hummel and was purchased by RD Lawrence, Selvaggio Steel, Felmley Dickerson Co., and AgriGold for $5,500.

The Land of Lincoln grand champion market lamb was exhibited by Macy DeBlock and was purchased by Beck’s, AgriGold and High Noon for $3,500.

The grand champion market lamb was exhibited by Carter Hoge and was purchased by North American Midway for $8,000.

The Land of Lincoln grand champion barrow was exhibited by Ella Bobell and was purchased by DeKalb, Bayer Crop Science and Asgrow for $18,000.

The grand champion barrow was exhibited by Claire Bobell and was purchased by CME Group for $25,000.

The Land of Lincoln grand champion steer was exhibited by Tara Hummel and was purchased by Brandt for $30,500.

The grand champion steer was exhibited by Cole Caldwell and was purchased by MK Pritzker for $75,000.

The goats, sheep, barrows and steers are being donated to the University of Illinois College of ACES.

A full list of of sale results can be found here.