Searsboro teen showcases three 4-H Sale of Champion animals

       Rhylee Rodgers of Searsboro is shown with her Grand Champion 4-H Market Steer that she showcased at the 2026 Iowa State Fair. The steer sold for $55,000 in the 4-H Sale of Champions. Rodgers is the first 4-H’er at the Iowa State Fair to have three animals in the 4-H Sale of Champions. Photo by Danielle Linde’s. ​

​J.O. Parker
 
        Hard work and perseverance in the showring has paid off in a big way for a Searsboro teen.
Rhylee Rodgers, 16, not only showcased the 4-H Grand Champion Market Steer at the 2026 Iowa State Fair, she brought home top honors with her 4-H Grand Champion Market Pig and 4-H Reserve Grand Champion Market Pig.
       This was Rodgers’ first trip to the 4-H Sale of Champions held this year on Saturday, Aug. 22. Her winning steer raised $55,000 with her grand champion pig earning $19,000 and her reserve grand champion pig netting $14,000.
       And she is the first 4-H’er in Iowa State Fair history to bring three winning animals to the 4-H Sale of Champions.
      Rodgers, a junior at Lynnville-Sully High School, said she plans to use some of her winnings for college.
      Rodgers is the daughter of Wade and Kaylene Rodgers. She has two siblings, Shay, 14, who got reserve champion market pig honors at this year Poweshiek County Fair, and Layton, 10. 
       Rodgers is a member of the Sheridan 4-H Club.
     Rodgers has been showing steers since age 5 and showing pigs for six years. Last year, her market pig earned fourth place honors and her first year showing at the Iowa State Fair, she earned third place honors with her market pig.
       “This is my first time exhibiting a grand champion animal,” she said. “This is by far the best I have done.”
        This year, she brought two steers and four pigs (three barrows and one gilt) to the state fair.
       When ask what the secret to her success was this year, Rodgers says it’s the relationship she builds with her animals.
      “I get up at 5 a.m. to rinse my steers and brush and dry them,” she said. “I do that once to twice a day. After I get done with my steers, I will walk my pigs and feed them.”
        Most days she finishes her morning chores at 9:30 a.m.
       During school days, Rodgers gets up at 6 a.m. as she only has piglets and not as much work is needed.
        “I enjoy working with them,” Rogers said of her animals. “Yes, it can be a lot of work
but it is very peaceful.”
       Rodgers said the support from her family and the people who helped her find and purchase the winning animals have been keys to her success.
   Her grand champion market pig was purchased from Caleb Boden at CB Livestock in Clearbrook, Va. Her reserve grand champion market pig was purchased from Scott and Levi Stauffer with S&K Show pigs in Arlington, Ohio
       Her winning steer was raised by Rodgers Cattle Company of Searsboro, a business owned by her parents.
      Rodgers has two more steer shows this fall. She will travel to Kansas City in October and Louisville in November.
        Her future plans are to work in appraising or the real estate field.

        Rhylee Rodges of Searsboro is shown with her Grand Champion 4-H Market pig at the 2026 Iowa State Fair. The champion market pig brought $19,000 in the 4-H Sale of Champions. Rodgers is the first 4-H’er at the Iowa State Fair to have three animals in the 4-H Sale of Champions. Submitted photo.

​        Rhylee Rodgers guides her Reserve Grand Champion Market pig through the showring at the 2026 Iowa State Fair. The champion market pig brought $14,000 in the 4-H Sale of Champions. Rodgers is the first 4-H’er at the Iowa State Fair to have three animals in the 4-H Sale of Champions. Submitted photo.