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, workshops, and overall development of 4-H youth.

Gov. Scott Walker hosted the auction with mistress of ceremonies Pam Jahnke, a radio and TV agricultural reporter and host. Auctioneers for the evening were Bob Johnson from Milton, Wis., and Kathy Packard, 2018 Champion of the Wisconsin Auctioneer’s Association Competition, from Antigo, Wis. Serving as the auction’s ringmen were Rodney Freymiller, 2010 Wisconsin ringman champion; Tim Slack, Wisconsin Auctioneers Association past president, WAA Hall of Fame and 2004 Wisconsin state champion auctioneer; Dave Koning, 2012 president, 2014 state champion and 2007 state champion ringman; and Gary Finley of Gary Finley Auction Service, Walworth, Wis.

Among those attending the auction were Kathleen O’Leary, CEO, Wisconsin State Fair Park; Ray Cross, president of the University of Wisconsin System; and Sheila Harsdorf, Wisconsin agriculture secretary.

The 2018 Best of Show Award went to meat processor Sailer’s Food Market and Meat Processing Inc. of Elmwood, Wis. The meat processor earned the honor for its salami, which sold to Egg Innovations for $2,000.

Here are the grand champion, first reserve champion and second reserve champion winners for each of the categories.

Flavored bacon
Grand champion
Haen Meat Packing Inc., Kaukauna, Wis.
Buyer: Frost PLLC
Sale price: $4,000
Donated back and purchased by Wells Fargo Bank for $2,000

1st reserve champion
Lake Geneva Country Meats, Lake Geneva, Wis.
Buyer: Hull Farms and Jones Family Farm — Chris Jones
Sale price: $4,500

2nd reserve champion
Roskom Meats, Kaukauna, Wis.
Buyer: Meijer Inc.
Sale price: $2,750

Bone-in ham
Grand champion
Haen Meat Packing Inc., Kaukauna, Wis.
Buyer: Boehlke Bottled Gas, GoRiteway, Badger State Auction, Saz’s and Cousins Subs
Sale price: $5,600

1st reserve champion
Lake Geneva Country Meats, Lake Geneva, Wis.
Buyer: Klement Sausage Company Inc.
Sale price: $5,300

2nd reserve champion
Newton Meats Inc., Newton, Wis.
Buyer: Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcaps
Sale price: $2,000

Flavored summer sausage
Grand champion
Karl’s Country Market, Menomonee Falls, Wis.
Buyer: Egg Innovations
Sale price: $3,700
Donated back and purchased by Rural Mutual Insurance for $1,100
Donated back and purchased by Dave and Kim Daniels for $1,200

1st reserve champion
Lodi Sausage Co. and Meat Market, Lodi, Wis.
Buyer: Meijer Inc.
Sale price: $2,000
Donated back and purchased by Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcaps for $1,500

2nd reserve champion
Newton Meats, Inc, Newton, Wis.
Buyer: Gibbsville Implement Inc.
Sale price: $1,500

Dried or smoked beef
Grand champion
Sailer’s Food Market and Meat Processing Inc., Elmwood, Wis.
Buyer: Cooperative Resources International
Sale price: $1,600

1st reserve champion
People’s Meat Market, Stevens Point, Wis.
Buyer: Randy Schopen Memorial Foundation
Sale price: $1,200

2nd reserve champion  
Louie’s Finer Meats, Cumberland, Wis.
Buyer: Town Bank
Sale price: $1,000

Flavored snack sausages
Grand champion
Wilson Farm Meats, Elkhorn, Wis.
Buyer: Merwin Farms, Becky and Ernie Merwin
Sale price: $3,500

1st reserve champion
Haen Meat Packing, Kaukauna, Wis.
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Sale price: $2,500

2nd reserve champion
Louie’s Finer Meats, Cumberland, Wis.
Buyer: Daluge Travel, Rick and Peggy Daluge
Sale price: $1,250

Cooked bratwurst
Grand champion
Ray’s Market, Colby, Wis.
Buyer: Crane Farms
Sale price: $2,500

1st reserve champion
The Meat Block LLC, Greenville, Wis.
Buyer: Meijer Inc.
Sale price: $2,000

2nd reserve champion
Louie’s Finer Meats, Cumberland, Wis.
Buyer: Hartmann Sand & Gravel
Sale price: $2,000

Whole muscle jerky
Grand champion
Lake Geneva Country Meats, Lake Geneva, Wis.
Buyer: Hull Farms and Jones Family Farm — Chris Jones
Sale price: $4,500

1st reserve champion
Karl’s Country Market, Menomonee Falls, Wis.
Buyer: Meijer Inc.
Sale price: $1,250
Donated back and purchased by Daluge Travel, Rick and Peggy Daluge for $1,250.

2nd reserve champion
Louie’s Finer Meats, Cumberland, Wis.
Buyer: J & S Machine
Sale price: $1,000

Cured specialty meat product
Grand champion, salami
Sailer’s Food Market and Meat Processing, Elmwood, Wis.
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, Wis.
Buyer: Compeer Financial
Sale price: $1,000

2nd reserve champion, cottage
Wilson Farm Meats, Elkhorn, Wis.
Buyer: Town Bank and Bill Thompson
Sale price: $3,000

Ring bologna
Grand champion
Sixth Street Market, Ashland, Wis.
Buyer: Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcaps
Sale price: $1,200

1st reserve champion
Haen Meat Packing Inc. Kaukauna, Wis.
Buyer: Bob and Jill Nieskes
Sale price: $1,250

2nd reserve champion
Northwoods Locker LLC, Clayton, Wis.
Buyer: Hartmann 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, Wis., was purchased by Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation 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, nearly $1,000 was donated by these generous vendors.

The auction is produced in partnership with the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation, Wisconsin State Fair and the Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors (WAMP). Generous supporters include Meijer Inc., Frost PLLC, Klement Sausage Company Inc., Salm Partners LLC, Wells Fargo Bank, Rupena’s Fine Foods of Milwaukee, and WAMP.

The Wisconsin 4-H Foundation, based in Madison, Wis., provides essential funding for 4-H programs throughout Wisconsin. By partnering with individuals, corporations and foundations, the foundation supports more than 150,000 youth who take part in various 4-H leadership, development and community-building activities throughout the state. Learn more about the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation by visiting wis4hfoundation.org.

Source: Wisconsin 4-H