The prestigious Iowa State Fair Sale of Champions raised a record-breaking $734,000 for ag youth on Saturday.
The event was highlighted by a $155,000 sale for the Grand Champion FFA Market Hog exhibited by Jillian Woodruff of Moorland. The Reserve Grand Champion 4-H Market Steer, shown by Chloe Rogers from Iowa City, sold for $100,000.
Speaking to Brownfield at the State Fair last week, Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig said the Sale of Champions is a critical event that helps provide financial support to young people interested in ag careers.
“We’re talking some serious dollars that’s focused on the Iowa Foundation for the Advancement of Agriculture,” Naig said. “It’s about scholarships for kids going to universities and going to school, and some money in the pocket of these very well deserving young kids who have just put their heart and soul into these projects.”
The sale was held on Saturday, August 22nd inside the Penningroth Media Center.
Results from the 2026 Iowa State Fair Sale of Champions include:
Grand Champion 4-H Market Steer: Rhylee Rodgers, Searsboro ($55,000)
Reserve Grand Champion 4-H Market Steer: Chloe Rogers, Iowa City ($100,000)
Grand Champion 4-H Market Heifer: Maddox England, Mount Ayr ($80,000)
Reserve Grand Champion 4-H Market Heifer: Andrew Arkema, Sully ($63,000)
Grand Champion FFA Market Hog: Jillian Woodruff, Moorland ($155,000)
Reserve Grand Champion FFA Market Hog: Oliver Grings, Wilton ($49,000)
Grand Champion 4-H Market Hog: Rhylee Rodgers, Searsboro ($19,000)
Reserve Grand Champion 4-H Market Hog: Rhylee Rodgers, Searsboro ($14,000)
Grand Champion FFA Market Lamb: Paityn Peterson, Rhodes ($48,500)
Reserve Grand Champion FFA Market Lamb: Sawyer Morrical, Clarion ($23,500)
Grand Champion 4-H Market Lamb: Whitney Williams, Mabel, MN ($9,000)
Reserve Grand Champion 4-H Market Lamb: Lindsey Williams, Mabel, MN ($9,000)
Grand Champion FFA Meat Goat: Caden Meyer, Wilton ($19,000)
Grand Champion 4-H Meat Goat: Ava Long, Cedar ($55,000)
Grand Champion 4-H Market Broilers: Lawton Pitzen, Adel ($18,000)
Reserve Grand Champion 4-H Market Broilers: Mayson Wood, Baldwin ($17,000)
