MEDIA RELEASE

August 14, 2023

For More Information Contact: Kent Thiesse
MN State Fair 4-H Beef Show Coordinator
and MN State Fair 4-H Auction Finance Chair
(507-381-7960)

STATE FAIR PURPLE RIBBON 4-H AUCTION ON AUGUST 26

*** 4-H BEEF CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 25 ***

2023 will mark the 44th anniversary of the "4-H Purple Ribbon Livestock Auction" at the Minnesota State
Fair. The 4-H Purple Ribbon Auction will be held on Saturday, August 26, at 6:00 PM, in Compeer Arena at the
State Fairgrounds. The premiums on approximately 115 purple ribbon 4-H exhibits will be sold in the livestock
auction. In addition, 4-H Auction scholarships totaling over $135,000.00 will be presented to 57 outstanding
junior leaders in the 4-H animal science program during the awards program at 4:00 PM prior to the 4-H Purple
Ribbon Auction. Twenty percent of the 4-H Auction proceeds are used to help fund the scholarships and for
special 4-H livestock programs across Minnesota throughout the year. The 4-H Auction is sponsored by the
Minnesota Livestock Breeders Association (MLBA). For more information on the MN State Fair “4-H Purple
Ribbon 4-H Livestock Auction” and the 4-H scholarship program, please refer to the following web site:
https://www.mlbapurpleribbonauction.org/

The "4-H Beef Championship Event" will be held at the Minnesota State Fair on Friday, August 25, at
2:00 PM in the Coliseum, at the State Fairgrounds in St. Paul. The Championship Event this year will
include the selection of the Grand and Reserve Champion Market Beef, Dairy Steer, Breeding Heifer, Cow/
Calf Pair, and Prospect Market Calf from the 4-H beef exhibits at the 2022 State Fair. The event will also
include the selection of the “Top 5” Overall Breeding Heifers, “Top 5 Market Beef”, “Top 3 Cow/Calf Pairs”,
and “Top 3 Dairy Steers”. 4-H Beef Interview Champions and MN State Fair Youth Scholarship recipients will
also be recognized during this event. The Championship Event will represent the "best of the best" from the
nearly 600 4-H members that will be exhibiting 4-H beef projects at the 2022 Minnesota State Fair, according to
Kent Thiesse, 4-H Beef Show Coordinator.

Over 2,500 4-H members will be exhibiting beef, dairy, swine, sheep, poultry, rabbits, and dairy goats at the
2023 Minnesota State Fair on August 23-27. For a complete schedule of 4-H livestock show times and other
special activities during the 4-H livestock shows, please refer to the State Fair 4-H web site at:
https://extension.umn.edu/4-h-events/4-h-minnesota-state-fair