COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio’s grand champion Swiss cheese has set another sales record? Holy cow.
The dairy dynamo cashed in at $26,000 during the Ohio State Fair’s Sale of Champions Sunday. That’s $1,000 more than the previous record set last year.
Grand Champion Swiss Cheese, produced by Guggisberg Cheese Co., represented the seven dairy champions and supreme dairy showmen.They were exhibited by Grand Champion Ayrshire: Trevor Greiwe, Logan County; Grand Champion Brown Swiss: Madelyn Topp, Auglaize County; Grand Champion Guernsey: Alex Richardson, Auglaize County; Grand Champion Holstein: Olivia Finke, Madison County; Grand Champion Jersey: Keaton Topp, Auglaize County; Grand Champion Red and White: Olivia Finke, Madison County; Grand Champion Milking Shorthorn: Aubrey Topp, Auglaize County; Supreme Showman, Week 1 – Exhibited by: Becca Valves, Holmes County; Supreme Showman, Week 2 – Exhibited by: Will Hughes, Holmes County. It was purchased by S & S Volvo and AG Boogher and Sons.
The champion market turkey also set a record at $16,000.
The Grand Champion Market Beef, exhibited by Brooke Egbert, Auglaize County, was purchased by Steve Rauch Excavation and Demolition for $45,000. She received $22,000.
Overall, the Sale of Champions auction generated $269,500 for the year, the most going to a $45,000 champion steer. After winners’ earnings, $181,000 of the proceeds will go the fair’s Youth Reserve Program.
The 21-year-old program rewards junior fair exhibitors through contests, scholarships, skill-a-thons and through 4-H and Future Farmers of America clubs. It’s awarded more than $3 million to roughly 33,000 youth since its inception.
The champion cheese was produced by Guggisberg Cheese Co., representing the year’s seven dairy champions.