Youth Livestock Exhibitors Rewarded at Fort Worth Stock Show Junior Sale of Champions
FORT WORTH, TEXAS, February 4, 2017 – Youth with 4-H and FFA livestock projects from across Texas were rewarded for their hard work by the Fort Worth community at the Junior Sale of Champions auction at the legendary Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. More than $3.2 million was generated from the 2017 Junior Sale of Champions as local business owners, executives and individuals were responsible for purchasing 283 steers, barrows, lambs and goats.
“The Junior Sale of Champions is extraordinary because of the awesome women and men that come together and make this auction a truly amazing event,” said Stock Show President and General Manager, Brad Barnes. “Our youth exhibitors are rewarded for their hard work because of a community of individuals and organizations that care about the future of the livestock industry in Texas.”
The grand champion steer, a 1,388-pound European crossbred, was exhibited by Mikala Grady of Johnson County 4-H. Women Steering Business topped all challenges with an impressive $240,000 final bid. The reserve grand champion steer was a 1,343-pound American crossbred exhibited by Claire McCormick, a 4-H member from Canyon, Texas. Hillwood purchased the reserve steer for $100,000.
Continuing the strong momentum, the grand champion barrow was purchased by Standard Meat Company for $42,000. Tristanne Rasco with Briscoe County 4-H showed the crossbred barrow. Endeavor Acquisitions, LLC topped the bidding at $20,000 for the reserve grand champion barrow. The Hamphsire was shown by Chandler Schulte of Nazareth FFA.
The grand champion lamb, a crossbred shown by Leakey, Texas FFA member, Trey Bates, was sold to Ladies on the Lamb for $40,000. Cameron Grace Crenwelge with Kerr County 4-H sold her reserve grand champion lamb, also a crossbred, to Ladies on the Lamb for $35,000.
The grand champion wether goat, shown by Koda Joy Davis from Sutton County 4-H, sold for $40,000 to Dr. Bill Bonnell. The reserve champion wether goat, shown by Brigg Hawkins from Johnson County 4-H, was purchased by American Aero for $25,000.
Sale proceeds were raised by the Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate, a group of more than 100 Fort Worth area businessmen dedicated to enhancing agricultural education activities of Texas youth. Members of the organization, along with the Ladies on the Lamb, U Ol’ Goat Committee, Fort Worth Businessmen, The Tallest Hog at the Trough Syndicate, The Shortest Goat at the Bar Committee and Women Steering Business were responsible for the purchase of all animals offered in the Junior Sale of Champions. Since 1980, the Syndicate has raised more than $50 million for the youth exhibitors and provided more than $1 million in scholarships for Texas 4-H and FFA members.
The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo offers visitors a chance to experience the unique western lifestyle along with a one-of-a-kind combination of education, tradition and Western heritage. For more information, visit www.fwssr.com or contact 817-877-2400. This Thing is Legendary®.