The Governor’s Blue Ribbon Meat Products Auction at the Wisconsin State Fair celebrated its 27th year. In total, this year’s auction raised more than $100,000. Proceeds from the auction benefit the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation, which supports Wisconsin 4-H activities including 4-H conferences, teaching materials and workshops, and overall development of 4-H youth.
Governor Walker hosted the Auction, with Mistress of Ceremonies Pam Jahnke, radio and TV agricultural reporter and host. Auctioneers for the evening were Bob Johnson, Milton and Kathy Packard, the 2018 Champion of the Wisconsin Auctioneer’s Association Competition, from Antigo. In addition, serving as the auction’s ringmen Rodney Freymiller, 2010 Wisconsin Ringman Champion, Tim Slack, Wisconsin Auctioneers Association Past President, WAA Hall of Fame and 2004 Wisconsin State Champion Auctioneer and Dave Koning, 2012 President and 2014 State Champion, 2007 State Champion Ringman and Gary Finley, Walworth.
Dr. Jeff Sindelar, UW-Extension Meat Specialist, oversees the competition and hopes it will continue to grow not only in categories but processor participation.
Among those attending the auction were: Kathleen O’Leary, CEO Wisconsin State Fair Park, Ray Cross, President of the UW System, Sheila Harsdorf, Wisconsin Secretary of Agriculture, and other dignitaries and supporters of 4-H.
The 2018 Best of Show Award went to meat processor Sailer’s Food Market and Meat Processing, Inc. of Elmwood. The meat processor earned the honor for its Salami. It sold to Egg Innovations for $2,000.
The Grand Champion, 1st Reserve Champion and 2nd Reserve Champion winners for each of the categories are:
FLAVORED BACON
Grand Champion
Haen Meat Packing, Inc., Kaukauna
Buyer: Frost CPAs
Sale Price: $4,000
Generously donated back and purchased by Wells Fargo for $2,000.
1st Reserve Champion
Lake Geneva Country Meats, Lake Geneva
Buyer: Hull Farms and Jones Family Farm – Chris Jones
Sale Price: $4,500
2nd Reserve Champion
Roskom Meats, Kaukauna
Buyer: Meijer, Inc.
Sale Price: $2,750
BONE-IN HAM
Grand Champion
Haen Meat Packing, Inc., Kaukauna
Buyer: Boehlke Bottle Gas, GoRiteway, Badger State Auction, Saz’s and Cousins Subs
Sale Price: $5,600
1st Reserve Champion
Lake Geneva Country Meats, Lake Geneva
Buyer: Klement’s Sausage Company, Inc.
Sale Price: $5,300
2nd Reserve Champion
Newton Meats, Inc., Newton
Buyer: Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcaps
Sale Price: $2,000
FLAVORED SUMMER SAUSAGE
Grand Champion
Karl’s Country Market, Menomonee Falls
Buyer: Egg Innovations
Sale Price: $3,700
Generously donated back and purchased by Rural Mutual Insurance for $1,100.
Generously donated back and purchased by Dave and Kim Daniels for $1,200.
1st Reserve Champion
Lodi Sausage Company and Meat Market, Lodi
Buyer: Meijer, Inc.
Sale Price: $2,000
Generously donated back and purchased by Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcaps for $1,500.
2nd Reserve Champion
Newton Meats, Inc., Newton
Buyer: Gibbsville Implement, Inc.
Sale Price: $1,500
DRIED OR SMOKED BEEF
Grand Champion
Sailer’s Food Market and Meat Processing, Inc., Elmwood
Buyer: Cooperative Resources International
Sale Price: $1,600
1st Reserve Champion
People’s Meat Market, Stevens Point
Buyer: Randy Schopen Memorial Foundation
Sale Price: $1,200
2nd Reserve Champion
Louie’s Finer Meats, Cumberland
Buyer: Town Bank
Sale Price: $1,000
FLAVORED SNACK SAUSAGES
Grand Champion
Wilson Farm Meats, Elkhorn
Buyer: Merwin Farms, Becky and Ernie Merwin
Sale Price: $3,500
1st Reserve Champion
Haen Meat Packing, Kaukauna
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Sale Price: $2,500
2nd Reserve Champion
Louie’s Finer Meats, Cumberland
Buyer: Daluge Travel, Rick and Peggy Daluge
Sale Price: $1,250
COOKED BRATWURST
Grand Champion
Ray’s Market, Colby
Buyer: Crane Farms
Sale Price: $2,500
1st Reserve Champion
The Meat Block, LLC, Greenville
Buyer: Meijer, Inc.
Sale Price: $2,000
2nd Reserve Champion
Louie’s Finer Meats, Cumberland
Buyer: Hartman Sand & Travel
Sale Price: $2,000
WHOLE MUSCLE JERKY
Grand Champion
Lake Geneva Country Meats, Lake Geneva
Buyer: Jones Family Farm and Hull Farms
Sale Price: $4,500
1st Reserve Champion
Karl’s Country Market, Menomonee Falls
Buyer: Meijer, Inc.
Sale Price: $1,250
Generously donated back and purchased by Daluge Travel, Rick and Peggy Daluge for $1,250.
2nd Reserve Champion
Louie’s Finer Meats, Cumberland
Buyer: J & S Machine
Sale Price: $1,000
CURED SPECIALTY MEAT PRODUCT
Grand Champion – Salami
Sailer’s Food Market and Meat Processing, Elmwood
Buyer: Meijer, Inc.
Sale Price: $1,500
Generously donated back and purchased by Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcaps for $800.
1st Reserve Champion – Smoked Brisket
Sixth Street Market, Ashland
Buyer: Compeer Financial
Sale Price: $1,000
2nd Reserve Champion – Cottage
Wilson Farm Meats, Elkhorn
Buyer: Town Bank and Bill Thompson
Sale Price: $3,000
RING BOLOGNA
Grand Champion
Sixth Street Market, Ashland
Buyer: Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcaps
Sale Price: $1,200
1st Reserve Champion
Haen Meat Packing, Inc. Kaukauna
Buyer: Bob and Jill Nieskes
Sale Price: $1,250
2nd Reserve Champion
Northwoods Locker LLC, Clayton
Buyer: Hartman Sand & Gravel
Sale Price: $900
Another item was auctioned off benefiting the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation and Wisconsin 4-H youth. A Wisconsin-shaped Summer Sausage courtesy of Kewaskum Frozen Foods of Kewaskum was purchased by Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation and Rural Mutual Insurance for $3,750.
Throughout the day of the sale various Wisconsin State Fair vendors donated a portion of their sales to the Meat Productions Auction and Wisconsin 4-H Foundation. In total, over $5,000 was donated by these generous vendors.