The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo’s Junior Sale of Champions set a new record as $3.3 million was spent at Saturday’s sale. Local business owners, executives, groups and individuals were responsible for purchasing 295 head of steers, barrows, lambs and goats.
“It’s remarkable to see the kind of support provided by our area leaders and organizations,” said Brad Barnes, the Stock Show’s president and general manage “They realize these students have put in countless hours of dedication to their livestock projects and are willing to reward them with above market prices.” The grand champion steer, a 1,335-pound European crossbred named Here I Am, was exhibited by Flint Newman of Stanton. Coors Distributing Co. of Fort Worth made a $200,000 bid to purchase the steer. Coors Distributing spent another $40,000 on three other steers.
The reserve grand champion steer, Domino, was a 1,339-pound European crossbred exhibited by Jayton Cogburn of Eastland. Hillwood Properties purchased the reserve steer for $140,000.
Continuing the strong momentum from an energetic crowd, the grand champion barrow was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Bass for $45,000. Claire McCormick of Canyon showed the crossbred barrow. Syracuse Food Group LLC topped the bidding at $25,000 for the reserve champion barrow. The Hampshire barrow was shown by Haven Wisdom of Levelland. The grand champion lamb, shown by Teah Alane Patton of Silverton, was sold to the Anne T. & Robert M. Bass Foundation for $34,000. The reserve champion lamb, exhibited by Rachel Evenson of Stephenville, went to the Ladies on the Lamb for $27,000. The grand champion wether goat, shown by Courtney Millsap of Quinlan, sold for $40,000 to Larry White Jr. The reserve champion wether goat, shown by Tanna Cupps of Comanche, went to U ol Goat for $29,000.
The Women Steering Business group, wearing their trademark red jackets, is only in its second year, last year raising $45,000 to spend. This year, the group more than tripled that, bringing $140,000 to spend. The organization has nearly doubled in size with 126 members this year. This year, the first steer they purchased, for $50,000, was from LIllie Skyler of Dalhart. Sale proceeds were raised by the Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate, a group of Fort Worth area business leaders 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 Committee, 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 $38 million for the youth exhibitors, provided over $768,000 in scholarships for 4-H and FFA members, and helped more than 7,000 kids pursue their agricultural goals.