What the Junior Livestock Sale of Champions Is
The N.C. State Fair Junior Livestock Sale of Champions is where the top youth market animals at the North Carolina State Fair are sold to bidders. It is run by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Buyers bid on the grand champion and reserve grand champion animals, and the winning exhibitors receive the sale proceeds from their animals. A portion of each winning bid goes to a scholarship fund.
The most recent sale was held October 25, 2026, during the State Fair at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. Bids reached a record $234,000 across steers, barrows, lambs, goats and turkeys.
Scholarships
Scholarships are open to participants in the N.C. State Fair junior livestock shows who want to pursue higher education. Strong support for the 2025 sale funded 32 scholarships of $2,000 each, awarded in spring 2026. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said the sale recognizes winners and funds scholarships, and he thanked the bidders who make it possible.
2026 Champions and Winning Bids
| Class | Exhibitor (county) | Bid |
|---|---|---|
| Grand champion steer | Sloane Hinnant, Kenly (Johnston) | $22,000 |
| Reserve grand champion steer | Annah Claire Sullivan, Lucama (Wilson) | $21,000 |
| Got to Be NC grand champion steer | Parker Gardner, Macclesfield (Edgecombe) | $20,000 |
| Grand champion barrow | Jane Jennings, Camden (Camden) | $18,500 |
| Reserve grand champion barrow | Riley Ballance, Lucama (Wilson) | $16,000 |
| Got to Be NC grand champion barrow | Dylan Briley, Greenville (Pitt) | $23,000 |
| Grand champion lamb | Zade Jennings, Kenly (Johnston) | $15,000 |
| Reserve grand champion lamb | Darci Boucher, Columbia (Tyrrell) | $13,000 |
| Got to Be NC grand champion lamb | Zade Jennings | $16,500 |
| Grand champion meat goat | Zade Jennings | $15,500 |
| Got to Be NC and reserve meat goat | Cody Fomisani, Wendell (Wake) | $19,500 |
| Grand champion market turkey | Abigail Doi, Youngsville (Franklin) | $8,500 |
| Reserve grand champion market turkey | Berkley Manning, Williamston (Martin) | $5,000 |
| Supreme Dairy Female | Easton Calhoun, Dobson (Surry) | $12,500 |
| Best Doe in Show (Youth Dairy Goat) | Anson Cranford, Asheboro (Randolph) | $8,000 |
The Supreme Dairy Female also won a Taste of N.C. Dairy Basket.
Who Buys
Sponsors that bought or co-supported lots in 2026 included Powers Great American Midway, N.C. Farm Bureau Insurance, Nash Produce, Mid Atlantic Cattle Sales, Tractor Supply Co., Farm Credit Associations of N.C., the N.C. Egg Association, Hog Slat, the N.C. Pork Council, Prestage Farms, Smithfield Foods, Agri Supply Co., Murphy Family Farms, the N.C. Soybean Producers Association, Iron Horse Auction Company, Sen. Tom McInnis, the North Carolina Poultry Federation, the N.C. Dairy Producers Association, the N.C. Veterinary Medical Association and the N.C. Dairy Goat Producers Association. Several lots also received added support from local livestock markets, farms and businesses.
Where
North Carolina State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh. The 2026 State Fair ran October 15-25.
Questions
What animals are sold?
Market steers, barrows, lambs, meat goats and turkeys, plus dairy awards such as Supreme Dairy Female and Best Doe in Show.
Do exhibitors keep the money?
Grand and reserve grand champion winners receive the sale proceeds from their animals, with a portion of each winning bid going to the scholarship fund.
Who do I call?
Neil Bowman at the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, (919) 839-4679.
Official Links
- N.C. State Fair's Junior Livestock Sale of Champions draws record $234,000 for youth: NCDA&CS news release
- Special event days at the N.C. State Fair: NCDA&CS news release
North Carolina County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
North Carolina fair season runs from the Drexel Fair in late August to the N.C. State Fair in Raleigh, per a 2026 county fair schedule. Most counties host a junior livestock show, and several dates were still to be announced when the list was published.
State fair
The 2026 N.C. State Fair ran October 15 to 25, and the 2027 fair is October 14 to 24, per the state fair release. Most competitions close September 15 and are free to enter.
Youth livestock
Junior beef, sheep, swine and goat exhibitors must nominate animals and then enter, and DNA goes to your county Extension office, per the livestock page. All steps are required to show.
Mountain State Fair
The 2026 fair ran September 11 to 20 in Fletcher, with online ShoWorks entry, per the fair announcement.
County fair results
The State Fair also posts a County Fairs competition, with small, medium and large classes and adult, youth and best-of-show divisions, per the 2026 results sheet.
Next steps
Call your county Extension center early, since nomination windows open months before the fair. Each fair sets its own rules and residency limits.
Read the full guide: North Carolina County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- North Carolina Growers Association Members Meeting
Held each year; the most recent meeting was February 4, 2026 in the Jim Martin Building at the NC State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.
Raleigh, NC | Organizer: North Carolina Growers Association Official event details - Wake County 4-H Achievement Day
Held each year; the most recent date was April 11, 2026. Youth give speeches and demonstrations from 8 a.m., followed by an afternoon awards celebration at the neighboring Commons Building at 4011 Carya Drive.
4001 Carya Drive, Raleigh, NC 27610 | Organizer: N.C. Cooperative Extension Wake County Center Official event details - NC FFA State Convention
Held each year; the most recent dates were June 23-25, 2026 at the Raleigh Convention Center. The 98th edition gathered North Carolina FFA chapters for contests and state awards.
500 South Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC | Organizer: North Carolina FFA Official event details - NC 4-H Congress
Held each year in Raleigh; the most recent dates were July 20-24, 2026. North Carolina 4-H teens gather for workshops, tours, service projects and state recognition.
- North Carolina State Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were October 15-25, 2026 at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. Special days included College Day, Senior Citizens Day and Military Appreciation Day.
All North Carolina events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.