The American Royal was founded in 1899 as the first-ever exhibition and sale of purebred cattle. One hundred twenty-five years later, the annual livestock show tradition continues with record-setting results.
This year, the three-week show in the Kansas City area boasted nearly 8,000 entries from over 2,400 exhibitors representing 44 states, and $31,000 in scholarships were awarded to youth participants.
The market animal show was record-setting. An all-time high of 2,684 animals filled the barns for exhibition in the market swine, sheep, goat, and cattle shows. Sales of species champions in the Junior Premium Livestock Auction, a highlight event, set a new record for the American Royal, bringing in $876,000 to support junior exhibitors in furthering their education.
In the market animal show, the Grand Champion Market Barrow was exhibited by Kyle Odell of California, and the Reserve Grand Champion Market Barrow was exhibited by Cason Bratland of South Dakota. The Grand Champion Market Lamb was exhibited by Hudson Franklin of Texas, and the Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb was exhibited by Kirsten Walck of Oklahoma.
The Grand Champion Market Goat was exhibited by Madden Wise of Texas, and the Reserve Grand Champion Market Goat was exhibited by Bisco Black of Texas. The Grand Champion Market Steer was exhibited by Ruby Bell of Oklahoma, and Rhylee Rodgers of Iowa exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion Market Steer.
The American Royal also awarded a premier junior market exhibitor award to recognize an exhibitor who showed success in the show ring, educational contests and skill development. The inaugural honor was awarded to Lindsey Dore of Ohio.
“We are so proud of the youth who exhibited such high-quality animals during our record-setting market animal show,” said Matt Durian, livestock manager at the American Royal. “Competition was just as fierce in the breeding cattle show this year, where we were able to have the first-ever supreme open female and bull drive, bringing all the breed champions together for an overall selection.”
The Grand Champion Angus Bull, exhibited by Jeff Fruhling of Illinois and Austin Nowatzke of Colorado, was named Supreme Champion Open Bull. The Grand Champion Maine-Anjou Female, exhibited by Sloane Curtin of Iowa, was crowned Supreme Champion Open Female.
Addison Bartlow of Illinois exhibited the Supreme Champion Junior Heifer — a purebred Simmental.
During the livestock show, the American Royal also hosts the 4-H, FFA, and collegiate livestock judging, and 4-H and collegiate meats judging competitions. Over 500 contestants participated this year.
The Grand Champion 4-H Livestock Judging Team was from Texas, and Reserve was awarded to the team from Kansas. The top 4-H individual was Pecos Worrell of Texas. The Grand Champion FFA Livestock Judging Team was from Illinois, and Reserve was awarded to Indiana. The top FFA individual was Lola Mitchell of Colorado.
In the collegiate livestock judging competition, the Grand Champion Senior College Team was Kansas State University, and Reserve was awarded to Texas Tech University. Grace Angotti of Western Illinois University was the top senior college individual.
The Grand Champion Junior College Team was Black Hawk East College, and Reserve was awarded to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College. Tyeson Gravenhof of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College was the top junior college individual.
The Grand Champion 4-H Meats Judging Team was from Texas, and Reserve was awarded to Kansas. Brecken Shipman of Texas was the top 4-H individual. The Collegiate Grand Champion American Division Meats Judging Team was West Texas A&M University, and Reserve was awarded to Texas Tech University.
Will Hauerland of West Texas A&M University was the top individual in the American division. The Collegiate Grand Champion National Division Meats Judging Team was Clarendon College, and Reserve was Garden City Community College. Aaron Morales of Garden City Community College was the top individual in the National division.
“The American Royal has grown and prospered so much since our beginning in 1899, and I’m proud that we were able to celebrate our 125th anniversary the way it all began,” said Jackie McClaskey, president and CEO at the American Royal. “Our livestock show is more than just a livestock show. It is centered around our mission of championing food and agriculture for youth and adults. The livestock show serves as a backdrop for youth in agriculture to compete against their peers and receive scholarships and premiums that will positively impact their future. We also get to host some extremely talented judging contests and invite local elementary students to learn more about agriculture.”
The American Royal’s fall field trip brought nearly 400 local third, fourth and fifth grade students closer to agriculture. They were able to watch part of the show and participate in 18 interactive stations to learn about where their food comes from.
