Posted: 08.11.2010

Incorporating entertainment with an animal auction isn't necessarily the easiest combination to put together - so we'll see how the crowd reacts to changes in Wednesday evenings Governor's Red, White and Blue auction.

Auction organizer, Bob Johnson of Milton, tells Pam Jahnke that the committee in charge of the sale decided they wanted to attract more people to the event.  Johnson told Jahnke it's not just about the money (which was down last year) but also about the educational exchange that can take place.

Johnson, an agriculture instructor and auctioneer by profession, is the president of the Blue Ribbon Sale of Champions Foundation (BRSCF).  He said the group decided to incorporate recognizable figures like Bucky Badger and a "tailgate-like" theme to pump up the crowd for the evenings events.  Money generated by the sale of the livestock goes to benefit the  BRSCF.

Johnson said the new approach to helping exhibitors and buyers has been well received.  For example, Case IH has committed to the largest auction sponsorship in the Auction’s 40 year history. Bayer CropScience and Land O'Lakes are also new corporate sponsors to the event.

Johnson says they're well aware that the economy is still sluggish - and that's all the more reason why they knew something had to change about the sale.  Governor Jim Doyle is expected to arrive on the state fair grounds at 6 p.m. to kick-off the event.

Farm intern, Ashley Nimtz will be attending.

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