Almost $4 million was raised to support Texas young people at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo’s Junior Sale of Champions on Saturday, Feb. 9.
Individuals, corporations and foundations stepped up to the plate to ensure 4-H and FFA members from across Texas were rewarded for their hard work and persistence that led to show ring success.
“The Fort Worth community of business and civic leaders do something remarkable every year on the Stock Show’s last day by raising millions for a very important purpose,” said Brad Barnes, Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo president and general manager. “A new generation of leaders are rewarded for the hard work and perseverance that earned them a spot in our Jr. Sale of Champions.”
The grand champion steer was exhibited by Abilene FFA member Aven Horn. The steer, a European Crossbred, was purchased by Hillwood, a Perot Company, with a $195,000 bid. Hillwood also purchased the grand champion in last year’s sale. Sage Martin, a Deaf Smith County 4-H member from Hereford, whose European Crossbred steer brought a final bid of $120,000 from Women Steering Business, showed the reserve grand champion.
Bid spotters were kept busy throughout the barrow sale, with the grand champion, a Hampshire shown by Banner Young, a Burkburnett FFA member, going for a final bid of $50,000 from Standard Meat Co. James Rainbolt topped the bidding at $40,000 for the reserve grand champion barrow, a Yorkshire shown by Raynee Schacher, an FFA member from Dumas.
Heritage Land Bank purchased the grand champion lamb, a medium wool cross shown by Lubbock County 4-H member, Hudson Franklin for $51,000. Another medium wool cross, shown by Logan Jackson a FFA member from Olden, Texas, won Reserve Grand Champion Lamb and was sold for $40,000 to Ladies on the Lamb.
In wether goats, the grand champion was shown by Dakota Martin, of Mason County 4-H, selling for $50,000 to Luther King Capital Management, while the reserve champion exhibited by Jaylin Smith, a FFA member from Eastland, brought a winning bid of $25,000 from Endeavor Acquisitions, LLC and Acclaim Bone & Joint Institute.
The Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate, along with Ladies on the Lamb, U Ol’ Goat Committee, Fort Worth Businessmen, The Tallest Hog at the Trough Syndicate, and Women Steering Business were responsible for the purchase of all animals offered in the Junior Sale of Champions. A group of more than 100 Fort Worth area businessmen dedicated to enhancing agricultural education activities for Texas youth, the Syndicate has raised approximately $60 million for youth exhibitors and provided more than $1.8 million in scholarships to Texas 4-H and FFA members since 1980.