The Governor’s Blue Ribbon Meat Products Auction is celebrating its 27th year at the Wisconsin State Fair. This year the auction will be held on August 7th, 2018 in the Case IH Coliseum for another Blue Ribbon winning year.
Registration begins at 5:30pm and the live auction begins at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation Office, 608-262-1597 or by going online to www.Wis4HFoundation.org.
Stars of the evening will include the Grand Champion, 1st Reserve Champion and 2nd Reserve Champion meat products from all categories of the 2018 Meat Products Contest, as well as the 2018 Best in Show product. Best of Show is selected from entries across the state that were judged and is announced at the auction.
Grand Champion,1st Reserve Grand Champion and 2nd Reserve Champion Winners:
Flavored Bacon
- Grand Champion: Haen Meat Packaging Inc., Kaukauna
- 1st Reserve: Lake Geneva Country Meats, Lake Geneva
- 2nd Reserve Champion: Roskom Meats, Kaukauna
Bone-In Ham
- Grand Champion: Haen Meat Packaging Inc., Kaukauna
- 1st Reserve Champion: Lake Geneva Country Meats, Lake Geneva
- 2nd Reserve Champion: Newton Meats Inc., Newton
Flavored Summer Sausage
- Grand Champion: Karl’s Country Market, Menomonee Falls
- 1st Reserve Champion: Lodi Sausage Co. & Meat Market, Lodi
- 2nd Reserve Champion: Newton Meats Inc., Newton
Dried or Smoked Beef
- Grand Champion: Sailer’s Food Market & Meat Processing, Elmwood
- 1st Reserve Champion: People’s Meat Market, Stevens Point
- 2nd Reserve Champion: Louis’s Finer Meats Inc., Cumberland
Flavored Snack Sausages
- Grand Champion Flavored Snack Sausages: Wilson Farm Meats, Elkhorn
- 1st Reserve Champion: Haen Meat Packing Inc., Kaukauna
- 2nd Reserve Champion: Louis’s Fine Meats, Inc., Cumberland
Cooked Bratwurst (smoked or cured)
- Grand Champion: Ray’s Market, Colby
- 1st Reserve Champion: The Meat Block LLC, Greenville
- 2nd Reserve Champion: Louie’s Finer Meats Inc., Cumberland
Whole Muscle Jerky
- Grand Champion: Lake Geneva Country Meats, Lake Geneva
- 1st Reserve Champion: Karl’s Country Market, Menomonee Falls
- 2nd Reserve Champion: Louie’s Finer Meats Inc., Cumberland
Cured Specialty Meat Product
- Grand Champion: Sailer’s Food Market & Meat Processing, Elmwood
- 1st Reserve Champion: Sixth Street Market, Ashland
- 2nd Reserve Champion: Wilson Farm Meats, Elkhorn
Emulsified Ring Bologna
- Grand Champion: Sixth Street Market, Ashland
- 1st Reserve Champion: Haen Meat Packing Inc., Kaukauna
- 2nd Reserve Champion: Northwoods Locker LLC, Clayton
Last year, Governor Walker encouraged attendees to raise their bidder cards high for Wisconsin 4-H youth. In total, over $130,000 was raised in 2017, and sights are set to surpass this record-breaking amount in 2018. Auction’s proceeds support Wisconsin 4-H activities including 4-H conferences, teaching materials and workshops, and overall development of 4-H youth. Learn more about the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation by visiting www.Wis4HFoundation.org.
*Picture: Left to right are: Meat product contest judges (L to R): Mark Schafer (Richelieu Foods; Beaver Dam, WI); Adam Borger (Food Research Institute, University of Wisconsin; Madison, WI); Duane Bunting (Retired, Sentry Foods; Dousman, WI); Megan McGough (Kerry Ingredients; Beloit, WI); Tim Lorang (Tyson Prepared Foods; Jefferson, WI); and Terry Timm (Retired, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Appleton, WI).