The 2023 OYE is in the record books- and the Sale of Champions provided a strong finish- the sale of 211 top market animals sold for $1.5 million- matching last year’s record!
Finley Yocham of Sapulpa 4-H saw her Grand Champion Steer bring $102,000- matching last years number and second only to the 2018 Grand Steer record. Yocham’s steer was the Champion Crossbred at the 2023 show. The buyers group included Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, Bank of the West, Express Ranches, First Liberty, Bob Funk and Jarold Callahan.
The Grand Champion Barrow– owned by Brigham Bunt of Ringwood 4-H sold for $30,000. The best barrow of over 2,000 in the 2023 market hog show was the Champion Hampshire. The buyer who bought the 2023 Grand Barrow is Westgate Market Developers.
Next up was the Grand Champion Market Lamb that sold for $15,000- owned by Connor Anthony of Bethel FFA. Connor’s lamb was purchased by the Oklahoma State Fair and CSTK Trailers.
The final Grand Champion that was brought into the ring was owned by Cara Cummins of Hollis FFA, who showed the Grand Champion Goat– and he brought $15,000. The buyers group for the best Market Goat to be found at OYE in 2023 included McDonalds, Diamond Hats and Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma.
Leading off the Reserve Grand Champions- the Reserve Grand Steer owned by Colby Kokojan of Drummond FFA brought $35,000- the buyers group included Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma, Oklahoma State Fair, CSTK Trailers and P&K Equipment.
The Reserve Grand Champion Market Barrow was shown by Anna Franke of Covington FFA- the group that bought her barrow for $15,000 included Blue and Gold Sausage, Seth Wadley and the Oklahoma Pork Council.
Next up was the Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb. Sayde Allen of Canute 4-H was back to the big sale once again- last year- she had the Grand Champion Market Lamb and Grand Champion Market Goat in 2022. Her Reserve Lamb sold here in 2023 for $10,000- and was purchased by Bank of Western Oklahoma and the Oklahoma State Fair.
The Reserve Grand Champion Market Goat was shown by Dakota Thurmond of Snyder 4-H- young Dakota saw his Market Goat sell for $10,000- purchased by Generator Supercenter.
The Oklahoma Farm Report team was snapping pictures from start to finish- and you can see our full set of pictures in our Flickr album for 2023- available here. If you want to look back to the 2022 OYE- click here for our pictures from last year’s event.
Our coverage of the 2023 Oklahoma Youth Expo is sponsored by Hilliary Communications- who deliver the latest cutting-edge communications services supporting tens of thousands of customers across 22 counties throughout Oklahoma, Texas and Iowa. The company offers internet, voice and HilliaryTV. Hilliary Communications continuously researches the marketplace for innovations and strives to improve underserved areas, offering services that exceed customer expectations. Click here to learn more about Hilliary Communications.
