Multiple records broken at state fair sale

Dougie, a 1,338-pound cow, encouraged buyers with a loud “moo” to break a record at the 52nd annual Ohio State Fair Sale of Champions on Sunday.

His mooing paid off, and the Reserve Grand Champion Market Beef winner was sold to Meijer, Steve R. Rauch, Inc. and Mark and Megan Kvammme for $56,000 — the largest and a record-breaking sale. The previous record was $55,000 paid by Meijer in 2014.

Delaney Jones, the cow’s owner, was filled with tears of joy and speechless backstage. Jones, 13, of Allen County in western Ohio, has been bringing cows to the state fair for the past four years and was “amazed” by her victory.

The Sale of Champions takes place every year at the Celeste Center on the last day of the state fair. Gov. Mike DeWine and his wife Frances also came from Dayton following the mass shooting to celebrate the children involved in the sale.

The Sale of Champions started in 1968 as a way for young people involved in the Future Farmers of America and 4-H to exhibit livestock at the state fair.

The Ohio Expositions Commission created a new program in 1995 so that 25% would be distributed to youth exhibitors as part of the Youth Reserve Program. The program distributes the funds among multiple groups, including FFA, 4-H, scholarships and exhibitor programs.

Categories of livestock include turkeys, goats, chickens, lambs, barrow and beef.

Riley Wendt, 13, of Dublin, is the owner of the 280pound cross-breed pig that won Reserve Grand Champion Barrow and sold for $35,000 to Kroger.

Other Wendt family members have competed in the state fair during the 13 years she has attended, but it is the first time someone has won. Her dad, Kevin, has also helped auction for the Sale of Champions in the past.