Iowa Sale of Champ

A great sale with wonderful support from the entire state of Iowa! Many records broke with the grand steer bringing 45,000. I didn't get the other prices but if I recall the lamb and hog also set records. Nice job to all.

Not a big fan of the process used in the sale of champions. It is tough on the kids who are forced to go out and and in 2 days ask for donations to make the IFAA look good.  In case you are not familiar with the process, the day after the show the winners are asked to go home and beat the bushes for the local support.  So they have to go door to door and beg for donations from people and businesses to make the total look impressive from the buyer.  The student is then given 75% of the total.  I understand the IFAA does a lot of good with the money however, many students don't feel comfortable being used as fundraisers for other organizations.

Thanks Iowabeef, I had no idea how the Sale of Champions worked.  I watched it last night on IPTV and noticed all of the records being set which was great.  The 4-Her's who raised the money to set the records should be given a pat on the back also... (clapping)

There are also many support groups that strongly back the 4-H livestock sales. I personally think it's great that the kids get experience trying to develop support for their projects. It's what it takes @ all levels to get and keep good sales.

I am not saying that the 4-H'ers shouldn't have a part in it but here is the schedule.....
Wednesday-you are named grand or reserve.  By the time you get the calf broken down and everything put away it is about 7 at night.  You then have to drive home....So a late night after a long and exciting day.
You then basically have only Thursday and Friday to hit up local businesses and supporters to raise the "local support".  The IFAA really pushes you to get $10,000.....think of that...you have 2 days to ASK for $10,000 from local businesses.  It is a lot of pressure to put on the 4-Her.  Granted most of the winning families over the years are big producers or large farmers with great connections to ag businesses....we are not.  And believe it or not...most of the state doesn't understand what a huge deal it is to be selected for the Sale of Champions at the state fair and so the local businesses have no concept of why you are even there asking for money. 
We most likely will never be in this situation again, but if we are fortunate enough to be, we probably won't beat the bushes for local support and just be happy with what comes in the auction.  Won't look good for the IFAA however, the process was not worth the outcome for our 4-Her. Again, the IFAA does some wonderful things and offers some great scholarships but I just wish there was another way without putting so much of it on the shoulders of the 4-Her who already worked their tail off all summer to get this opportunity.

I agree with CAB. I think the winner should be responsible for raising some of the money. It teaches them good business skills and I would suspect, appreciate the money a bit more. Granted some kids will have an advantage over others (Ex. Fabers and trans ova) but I am willing to bet that many small town businesses would support their hometown winner as well!

I agree with Iowa beef 100% on this in most all cases local support was 50%+ of the final total.Alot of extra stress for the families in two days time.IMO I would guess there may be some sweet heart deals  cut to make the total look better with loans being repaid aferwards . So what was the point except to make the auction committee look like they are setting records every year.

Show Heifer said:

I agree with CAB. I think the winner should be responsible for raising some of the money. It teaches them good business skills and I would suspect, appreciate the money a bit more. Granted some kids will have an advantage over others (Ex. Fabers and trans ova) but I am willing to bet that many small town businesses would support their hometown winner as well!

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I guess I am confused.    What business skills are taught by begging strapped businesses for money? 

It teaches them how to professionally present themselves. It teaches them how to approach people. It teaches them how to "make the sale's pitch and close the deal". It teaches them that their are responsibilities of being a leader and one of the best. It probably also teaches them how to deal with rejection in a professional manner, of which many kids do not know to handle!

I agree those are important lessons, however, having been through the process, I feel those benefits are definitly outweighed by the negatives of the situation.  That is just from personal experience.  Again, the IFAA does great work but I feel there has to be a better way to accomplish these goals.

iowabeef said:

Show Heifer said:

I agree with CAB. I think the winner should be responsible for raising some of the money. It teaches them good business skills and I would suspect, appreciate the money a bit more. Granted some kids will have an advantage over others (Ex. Fabers and trans ova) but I am willing to bet that many small town businesses would support their hometown winner as well!

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I guess I am confused.    What business skills are taught by begging strapped businesses for money? 

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  If nothing else, it could teach your kids what they don't want to do for a career. There are many PPL that have to make their living everyday knocking on doors. It can teach them what it's like to work under the gun, on a time limit. I guess it's a perk that goes with making the auction. I would put an emphasis on the good things instead of the obvious negative things associated with the task. I will say that it maybe quite a bit harder than past years with the economy the way that it is. Knowing how to deal with PPL and the public in general is a valuable life skill. I hope that you get the chance to have to do it again in the near future. It's an honorable task. Hope that your animal brought good money!!!

My family and I have been on both sides of this fence.  We had the honor of being named champion a few times at the Iowa State Fair and were asked to help raise funds for the auction.  It has been a few (ok, more than a few!) years ago, but I certainly don't remember anyone holding a gun to our head with a minimum amount that was to be raised.  Of course, the harder you work, the better the auction.  However, I'm not sure that I agree that it is a big character building activity for the 4-Her.  In many situations the parents play a large role in contacting local businesses that they are affiliated with to ask for the support.  I agree that it can be unpleasant to makes these calls, especially if you win more than once, and it does feel a bit like begging. It is also true that many local businesses do not understand why they are being contacted and feel pressured to give money...sometimes it is quite awkward for both parties.  I have several friends who have been in the same position that agree that after going through it once that they will no longer call local businesses and beg, but rather take what comes their way from other sources.

Our family supports the IFAA through scholarship money, but I do think that a better system to reward 4-Hers who exhibit champions exists.  A different system may not yield auction prices of $45,000 for champion steer, but more modest (read: realistic!) sale prices may be a good idea for everyone involved.

I havent been to the sale of champs, but our county fair is before state fair and someone always goes to as many buisnesses as they can to help get support for kids from the community at the county fair. I just think it would be difficult to go back a couple weeks later asking for more money from the same people.

If you just won the state fair do you really give hoot about nickel and diming local business...Im not sure I'd really care.

well i come from a small town. and most all the buisnesses pitch in such as places like banks or insurance agencies.

I guess when we've had champions come out of our county we didn't think the kid and their parents were responsible for raising these funds.  In fact, they'd rather be at the fair where their animals are and everyone is coming by to see them.    Instead, we have had our County Cattlemen and some of the 4-H people step in and do the fund raising.  You sometimes need to explain what's going on but most people are  very supportive once they understand the system.    It would probably be more difficult with multiple winners or for people who have paid tens of thousands of dollars for their animals.  We've never had that situation here, though.

harleyhog said:

Thanks Iowabeef, I had no idea how the Sale of Champions worked.  I watched it last night on IPTV and noticed all of the records being set which was great.  The 4-Her's who raised the money to set the records should be given a pat on the back also... (clapping)

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Our county has a sale of champions, when a family won that was new the animal seemed to bring more.  That family won a few more times sale seemed high, but they are big farmers.  The other thing is when a 4-her goes to round up money the family needs to be in good standing with the community.  For instance, tough to get money out of the feed company that hasn't recieved a payment on bill since spring.

I should probably clarify my last post.    I was referring to Champions at the State Fair Market Show.  Within our county we don't sell the animals---we only sell the ribbons!

I understand that they finally made it known officially at the sale of champions that Faber's steer was a clone.  I suppose they had to make an official statement about that before Hy-Vee tried to buy it and sell the meat.  I guess I don't even know if clones can be sold for comsumption.  But I did notice that Hy-Vee did not purchase it.

iowabeef you are my write in vote for president. It is a crock of horse apples. And Trans ova bought the grand steer so he couldnt be cloned again. Dont get in a big hug fest over the wonders of 4H with that deal.