(SEDALIA, Mo.) – Crowds gathered on the Missouri State Fairgrounds Saturday to Celebrate Kids in Agriculture – Youth in Agriculture Day, sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation. The annual Sale of Champions highlighted the day, bringing in a record-breaking $152,600.
The money will be used to benefit Missouri youth involved in agriculture. Since 1992, the Missouri State Fair Youth in Agriculture Committee has awarded scholarships totaling $400,500.  Applications for the 2014 YIA scholarships will be available on the Missouri State Fair website in November, and applications will be due by Feb. 1, 2015.
The opening lot was the Grand Champion Steer, exhibited by Stetson Wiss of Lamar. Stetson is a member of the Learn-A-Do 4-H Club. His 1,325-pound steer sold for $23,000, purchased by the University of Missouri-Columbia Independent Aggies and Edward Jones & Associates.
Additional funds for the Grand Champion Steer were also contributed by Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
The Grand Champion Barrow was exhibited by Trey Porter of California. Trey’s 268-pound Crossbred hog was purchased for $20,500 by Monsanto and The Climate Corporation, Wheeler Auctions and Real Estate of Paris, Mo.; Missouri State Fair Concessionaires and Commercial Exhibitors including:  Allen Dennis Concessions, Inc.; Brick Front Grill; Brown’s Fudge Shop; Budweiser Stage/Mark’s Brothers; Buffalo Bill’s; Chuck & Dee’s; Creamy Rich; Exclusive Home Products; Jackson’s Smokehouse, LLC; Kim-Laine Concessions; Meadowlark Arts; McKinney Food Services; NDP Enterprise; Shallow Concessions; Signs by L & J; Specialty Products; Versa Enterprises; Walker Enterprises; Webster Enterprises; and Westmoreland Concessions; along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters. The barrow was donated to the Missouri State Fair Employee Association.
Bryce Schmidt, of Maryville, exhibited the Grand Champion Market Lamb that was purchased for a record sale price of $19,100 by BTC Bank of Bethany, Gallatin, Albany, Pattonsburg, Chillicothe and Carrollton, Mo., and Lamoni, Iowa; the Jerry Litton Family Memorial Foundation of Chillicothe, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters. Bryce’s 135-pound Crossbred lamb was donated to the Missouri FFA Leadership Fund.
The Grand Champion Pen of Meat Rabbits was exhibited by Alexandra Gast of Nevada. Alexandra’s Californian rabbits weighed an average of 4.6 pounds. Her pen of rabbits was purchased by the University of Missouri-Columbia Sigma Alpha Sorority, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters for $4,000. The rabbits were donated to the University of Missouri-Columbia Livestock Judging Team.
Simeon Buie, of Marshall, exhibited the Grand Champion Pen of Chickens. Simeon’s broilers weighed an average of 5.95 pounds and were purchased by Subway in memory of Art DeJaynes, Boggs Audio along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters for $2,400. The birds were donated to the University of Missouri-Columbia Livestock Judging Team.
The Grand Champion Meat Goat was exhibited by Spencer Scotten of Nevada. Spencer’s Boer goat weighed 95 pounds and was purchased for $7,000 by ADM Alliance Nutrition/MoorMan’s ShowTec, Truck’s Place and Little Truck’s Place on the State Fairgrounds, the Dairy Bar at Cole Camp, Mo., along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters. Spencer’s lamb was donated to the University of Missouri-Columbia Livestock Judging Team.
Grace Riley, of Pleasant Hill, exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion Steer. Grace’s 1,280-pound Crossbred steer was purchased for a record $34,500 by R. D. Offutt Company of Fargo, N.D., along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters. Grace’s steer was donated to the University of Missouri-Columbia’s football team.
Ashlyn Richardson, of Lincoln, showed the Reserve Grand Champion Barrow. Ashlyn’s 293-pound crossbred barrow was purchased for $16,000 by the Windsor Livestock Auction, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
John Schenkel, of Maryville, showed the Reserve Champion Market Lamb. John’s Hampshire lamb weighed 139 pounds and was purchased for a record price of $12,500 by Purina Animal Nutrition/Honor Show Chow, DuPont Pioneer and other Pioneer sales professionals. Additional funds were also contributed by Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters. The lamb was donated to the Missouri FFA Leadership Fund.
The Reserve Champion Pen of Meat Rabbits was exhibited by Grace Eversole of Rocheport. Grace’s New Zealand rabbits weighed an average of 4.86 pounds and sold for $4,500 to the Missouri State Rabbit Producers Association, Christensen Homes/Brian Christensen of Columbia, Mo., along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters. The rabbits were donated to the University of Missouri-Columbia Livestock Judging Team.
Simeon Buie, of Marshall, exhibited the Reserve Champion Pen of Chickens. Simeon’s broilers weighed an average of 6.44 pounds and sold for $1,600 to MFA Incorporated, RIBUS, Inc., of St. Louis, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters. The pen of birds was donated to the Missouri Food Bank Association.
Skyler Scotten, of Nevada, exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion Boer goat, which weighed 85 pounds and sold for $5,000 to Heimer Hampshires/Jesse and Amy Heimer of Taylor, Mo.; Heimer & Associates, Quincy, Illinois, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters. The Boer goat was donated to the University of Missouri-Columbia Livestock Judging Team.
The last lot of the sale was the Limited Edition State Fair Commemorative Belt Buckle, which was purchased by Gary Riley, Riley Farms of Marshall, Mo., for $2,500.
A complete list of all 2014 Youth in Agriculture sponsors will be available at www.mostatefair.com.