What the Junior Livestock Ribbon Auction Is
The Junior Livestock Ribbon Auction is the closing event of the junior livestock program at the Mighty Howard County Fair in Cresco. It is a bonus for 4-H and FFA exhibitors that rewards the work of raising, fitting and showing a livestock project. Local businesses and individuals bid on the ribbon an exhibitor earned at the fair, and the animal never changes hands.
The most recent auction was held Sunday, June 28, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. in the CUSB Bank Arena at the Reicks View Ag Education Center.
How the Ribbon Sale Works
- Only the ribbon is sold. There is no change in animal ownership, and exhibitors market their animals as they choose.
- The exception is facility swine, which go to the packer on the Sunday after the auction.
- Buyers receive a duplicate ribbon, a certificate of purchase and a picture of the exhibitor with the project.
- The sale runs by species in this order: rabbit, poultry, meat and breeding goat, horse, beef, dairy, sheep, swine.
Who Can Sell a Ribbon
- Each exhibitor may sell one ribbon per 4-H membership and one per FFA membership.
- Associate and Clover Kid 4-H members cannot take part.
- The exhibitor must have shown the project in its department at the current year's fair.
- The exhibitor must attend for the ribbon to be sold, and leads their own animal into the ring unless the fair office decides otherwise. If a physical condition makes leading unsafe, another person may lead the animal.
- If an animal is registered or identified for the Iowa State Fair, only the exhibitor and the ribbon enter the ring.
- The exhibitor is responsible for the animal shown with the ribbon. After the auction, swine go to the packer on Sunday, and owners handle all other species.
Commission and Where the Money Goes
A 17 percent sale commission is withheld to cover administration costs. The remaining funds are split among the exhibitors' organizations for future club projects and for improvements to the livestock facilities.
Key Dates for Exhibitors (2026 Edition)
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| May 1 | Deadline to be enrolled in Howard County 4-H or FFA |
| May 15, 11:59 p.m. | 4-H livestock ID forms due in 4-H Online 2.0 |
| May 15, 4:30 p.m. | FFA livestock ID forms due at the Extension Office (paper) |
| May 31, 11:59 p.m. | Online entry deadline for all livestock and static exhibits, with fees paid online; no entries accepted after this date |
| June 23, 4-6 p.m. | Beef market re-weigh; swine and beef entry window |
| June 24-26 | Junior shows begin |
| June 27 | Junior Beef Show and Junior Horse Show (Classes 8-18) |
| June 28, 12:30 p.m. | Ribbon auction; livestock release 2-6 p.m.; pens cleaned by 8 p.m. |
Fair week opened Monday, June 22 with static exhibit conference judging, poultry entry and pullorum testing, and the horse veterinary check. Livestock entry windows ran Tuesday, June 23.
Who Buys
The 2025 buyer list ran to dozens of area businesses and families, including Farmers Win Coop, Security State Bank, Reicks View Farms, Cresco Bank and Trust, CUSB Bank, Cresco Livestock Market, Marzolf Implement, Windridge Implement, Don Anderson Insurance and Norwegian Mutual Insurance, along with individual supporters from Cresco, Riceville, Elma, Protivin, Lime Springs and beyond. Buyers also included commission entries for Decorah and Lanesboro.
Questions
Does the buyer take my animal home?
No. Only the ribbon is sold. Exhibitors keep and market their animals, except facility swine, which go to the packer.
Can a Clover Kid sell a ribbon?
No. Associate and Clover Kid 4-H members cannot participate.
Do I get all of the sale price?
A 17 percent commission is withheld for administration, and the remainder is split among exhibitors' organizations for club projects and livestock facility improvements.
Who do I call?
The Mighty Howard County Fair office: 563-547-3400.
Official Links
- 2026 Mighty Howard County Fair youth fairbook: ribbon auction rules, deadlines and fair schedule
- Mighty Howard County Fair: fair office and updates
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Mighty Howard County Fair
Late-June Cresco fair with junior livestock shows at the Reicks View Ag Education Center. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 23-27, 2026.
Cresco, IA | 563-547-3400 Official event details - Howard County Junior Beef Show
Junior beef show at the Reicks View Ag Education Center in Cresco. Held each year; the most recent date was June 27, 2026.
Cresco, IA Official event details - Iowa Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and County Leadership Conference
Iowa Farm Bureau members meet for the annual meeting and county leadership conference at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines, December 8-9, 2026.
Des Moines, IA Official event details - Cass County Winter Extension and Conservation Day Camp
Polar Bear Discovery day camp for kindergarten through 2nd grade at the Cass County Community Building in Atlantic, $5 per camper. Held each year; registration closes December 23.
Atlantic, IA | Organizer: Cass County Extension Official event details - Iowa Pork Congress
Iowa Pork Producers Association winter pork industry show and trade fair in downtown Des Moines. Listed for January 20-21, 2027.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.