Cow Parade Auction Raises Big Moo-lah

Chuck ZimmermanGeneral, Promotion

Cow Parade 2005 The CowParade Wisconsin 2006 herd of artistically created fiberglass cows that grazed Madison and surrounding communities for nearly five months has raised more than $550,000 to benefit charity. The majority of the proceeds will help build the new American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison. Proceeds will also benefit more than 30 other non-profit organizations.

The “Dazzle in Dairyland” live auction drew more than 500 people to the Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall on Friday, November 10. The 44 cows offered at the live auction sold for $363,500 – an average of nearly $8,300 per cow.

The 37 cows sold through the CowParade Wisconsin online auction grossed $188,450 and averaged $5,093 – the highest online total since the Houston CowParade in 2001.

The CowParade Wisconsin auctions conclude an event that colorfully showcased the Wisconsin dairy industry to millions of people across the state and country. Throughout the event, dairy industry messages reached more than 15 million people via print, radio, television, and web media.

Read more from the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board.