It was standing room only in the Sales Pavilion in NRG Arena for the 2025 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Junior Market Steer Auction on Saturday. The Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Jr. Market Steers sold for more than $600,000.
2025 Jr. Market Steer Champions:
- Grand Champion: Jacob Schickedanz, Ochiltree County 4-H, $675,000
- Reserve Grand Champion: Jett Hale, Miami FFA, $690,000
Jacob Schickedanz, a 16-year-old sophomore from Perryton, Texas, exhibited the Grand Champion black crossbred steer. His steer was purchased with support from Sally Flores, Belinda Flores Young, and Chay Flores Taylor, who donated in memory of Rigo Flores, Sr. The Reserve Grand Champion steer, exhibited by Jett Hale, was backed by The Champagne Cowgirls and The Tutcher Family Foundation.
The straight-A student, powerlifter, and avid hunter plan to attend Texas A&M University. The opening bid of $50,000 was placed by Congressman Jake Ellzey, a longtime friend of the Schickendanz family.
“[The judge] looked at [my steer] when the Reserve Grand Champions were walking around,” Jacob said. “I thought maybe I had a shot then.”
Donor Chay Flores-Taylor said supporting the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo was important to their late father, and the tradition is carried on by the rest of the family. “He loved this [Show],” Flores-Taylor said. “He loved the opportunities it provides. We just want to keep his memory going.”
Jett Hale, a 17-year-old junior from Miami, Texas, exhibited the Reserve Champion, which was a Charolais Cross steer named Mike, sold for $690,000, a Rodeo record.
“I don’t think people understand how much time, effort, and money people put into these things,” Jett said. “You got to work with them every day and try to keep them going so people can present them like this.”
The purchase held special meaning for donors Ellie Francisco and the Champagne Cowgirls, who also bought Jett’s Reserve Champion steer seven years ago when he was just 10. “[Jett] came up to us and said, ‘Please, can you send me the hide?’ So, we mailed him the hide back,” Francisco said. “When he got reserve last night, we were very, very excited.”
Records made at the lamb and goat auction
On March 14, Madden Wise of Brownwood, Texas, also sold his Grand Champion Lamb for $450,000. The Hildebrand family, in honor of Ruth Ann and Dr. Tommy Hildebrand, had the winning bid.
“My family has been involved with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for 50 plus years,” Jefferey Hildebrand said. “My mother and dad were on the lamb committee, and so it is a deep tradition of the family to be involved. There is no better group of young men and women who are deserving of scholarships.”
Brisco Black of Zephyr, Texas, sold his Grand Champion Goat for $400,000, breaking the Rodeo record. Fire Safe Protection Services, LP — Lizzy & Stephen McKinney; Skip Avara; Tea & Bill Pinkley; and Anne & Chris Richardson had the winning bid.
“This is my way of giving back,” Chris Richardson said. “I got a football scholarship and would not have been able to make it to college if I had not gotten that scholarship.”
Graham Newsom of Olton, Texas, set a Rodeo record with the sale of his Reserve Grand Champion Lamb for $300,000. The donors for the Reserve Grand Champion are Tammy & Mitchell Barrier; Amy & Mark Melton; Mary Lee & Alan Stigall; and April & Scott Townsend — in memory of Mary Hucherson, a longtime L&G Auction contributor.
“There’s no greater place to be able to invest your money into the future of America,” Scott Townsend said. “It’s nice to come back later on and see where these kids have grown up with their scholarships.”
Stran Mayes of Ft. Worth, Texas, sold his Reserve Grand Champion Market Goat for $200,000 to Melissa & Jimmy Guinn II; Jill Herrera & Chris Boening; Tonya Yurgensen-Jacks & Kevin Jacks; and the Kym Coleman Education Foundation, Cookie Michael.
“I love supporting children,” Michael said. “Every child needs an education; I think you should be able to go to college.”
Market barrows sold for outstanding amounts
Dallas, a 13-year-old sixth grader from Center, Texas, exhibited the Grand Champion Hampshire barrow. His barrow sold for $501,000, breaking the previous record set in 2023 by $126,000.
Dallas began showing pigs at three years old and started competing at major stock shows when he was nine years old. He splits his time between sports and livestock—playing quarterback in football and training show pigs with his grandfather on weekends.
Dallas said, “I am excited. It feels amazing.”
Donor Jackie Hodges said supporting the Junior Market Barrow Auction remains meaningful for her family.
“The kids — they’re incredible,” Hodges said. “I’m just honored that I’m able to attend and be able to support them.”
She said that, although the donor group did not enter the auction with a record in mind, the moment took over. “Every year we want to, but you never know,” Hodges said. “You feel rogue out there, so you never know.”
Ky Blout, a 16-year-old sophomore from Kerrville, Texas, showed the Reserve Champion crossbred barrow “Squirt” which sold for $360,000 — breaking another Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo record. Outside of livestock, he plays baseball. He said he considers showing a family tradition.
“I’ve been showing at Houston for seven years now,” Ky said.
He said he sensed he was on the right track after early recognition in the competition. “I was walking in, and [the judges] said I won wave one,” Ky said. “That’s kind of where I got [the feeling]. I was most excited to hug my mom. I would just like to say thank you to everyone.”
Donor Juan Garcia said the support shown at the auction reflects the hard work of each committee member, worker and volunteer.
“I’d like to take a step back and also thank our donors and volunteers,” Garcia said. “From the very highest level down to the rookie working at two o’clock in the morning getting our buses out — that is how we’re able to do what we do.”
Garcia reminded attendees that record-breaking moments are not just driven by major donors.
“When I say donors, I’m not just referring to the big [donors],” Garcia said. “So, thanks to all our donors.”
Broilers sell for over $300,000
Barney Kelley of Texas City, Texas, sold his Grand Champion Pen of Broilers for $301,000, breaking the record. Donors Patsy & Wayne Turner; Sheri & Rob Walker; and Fatemah & Roger Camp had the winning bid. “We have been coming out [here] for several years,” Rob Walker said. “There is nothing better than giving back to the community through this organization.”
Kelsey Johnson of New Waverly, Texas, sold her Grand Champion Market Turkey for $315,000, also breaking the record. Kristina & Paul Somerville; Andrea & Scott Fish; Becky & Kelly Joy; and J Alan Kent Development – Julie and Alan Kent purchased the turkey. Paul Somerville chooses to support the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo because he knows where the money goes.
Ella Porter of Montogomery, Texas, set a record with the sale of her Reserve Grand Champion Market Pen of Broilers for $225,000. Mach Industrial Group — Kathleen & Tom Mach; Andrea Bryant; Christine & Micheal McWilliams; and Higginbotham & Associates — Dudley Ray & Mark Lee purchased the broilers.
“It is such a privilege and honor to ride for this brand and support the youth of Texas,” Micheal McWilliams said. “They are the people who are going to be putting food on our table.”
Stetson McKinley of Montgomery, Texas, sold his Reserve Grand Champion Market Turkey for $220,000, setting a new Rodeo record. Donors Billy Parker; Aimee & JP Monteverde; Cheryl & Dr. Barry W. Heaton; and Big Country Outdoors – Heather & Sean Congdon secured the winning bid.
“It is all about the kids,” JP Monteverde said. “Nothing can make you happier than putting your hard-earned dollars towards people who are going to make a true difference in the world.”
It’s important to note that the exhibitors do not take home 100 percent of these payouts. The payout structure varies by species, with steers earning the highest guaranteed premiums.
The Grand Champion steer receives $75,000, while the Reserve Grand Champion earns $40,000. For lambs and barrows, the Grand Champion is awarded $40,000, with the Reserve Grand Champion receiving $25,000.
Goats, broilers, and turkeys have similar payouts, with Grand Champions earning $30,000, and Reserve Grand Champions receiving between $15,000 and $20,000.
Rollins visits RODEOHOUSTON
United States Secretary of Agriculture and former Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Scholar Brooke Rollins visited during the RODEOHOUSTON Championship, celebrating her roots and the organization that helped shape her path.
Rollins, who was sworn in as the 33rd U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and the first female from Texas to hold this position, made a special guest appearance with the goal of promoting the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s impact on agriculture and education across the nation.
She previously received scholarships from the Rodeo that funded her undergraduate studies at Texas A&M University.
“It’s a full circle [moment] for me to be back here with everyone again,” Rollins said. “I am excited today, next year and the following two years to do everything I can to keep elevating and honoring the incredible organization, and what it means for agriculture and our economy.”
