The Sale of Champions is held Friday night during the Sioux Empire Livestock Show in the north end of the Expo Building on the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds. This large venue has ample space for buyers, supporters, and exhibitors to build connections for a strong agriculture future. Buyers who attend and participate will have to opportunity to bid on silent auction items donated by local businesses and individuals. With all proceeds from the silent auction go to fund scholarships for youth exhibitors.

Every January hundreds of youth exhibitors under the age of 21 travel from across the country to Sioux Falls to compete in the Sioux Empire Livestock Show, with only 25 market livestock exhibitors qualifying to sell their animal during the Sale of Champions. In 2024, more than $127,000 in premiums was paid out to these exhibitors that will allow the exhibitors to continue their livestock showman career and further their post-secondary education. A successful Sale of Champions encourages youth livestock exhibitors to return to the Sioux Empire Livestock Show, as well as pursue a career in the agricultural industry.

As a business, when you participate in the Sale of Champions, you demonstrate your support for agriculture. Buyers who attend and participate in the Sale of Champions are paying a premium to the market livestock exhibitor. This means you are not purchasing the animal on which you are bidding, rather the dollar amount is in addition to the market price they will receive for their animal.

Livestock premiums can be purchased by cooperative bidders to increase buying power. Partnering with another business is a great way to bump up the premiums for the young exhibitors. If you are interested in adding additional scholarship funds or attending, please contact the Sioux Empire Livestock Show at 605-373-2003.