The highly-anticipated Fort Worth Stock Show is a massive event — with thousands of livestock entered, all with the hopes of winning the grand champion. But, nearly as exciting are the buyers who get the bragging rights of helping support the kids on the halters.
Fort Worth Stock Show’s 2024 junior sale of champions auction brought in a record $8.2 million for the 288 youth exhibitors this year. Last year’s sale generated $7.3 million in receipts.
“The response from our local community is simply amazing” said Stock Show General Manager Matt Carter. “Their efforts underscore a strong commitment for these hard-working young men and women and their educational and agricultural pursuits.”
Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services withstood all other bidders in the Watt Arena with their $340,000 nod for the European Crossbred steer owned by Elli Bezner, a 4-H member from Dalhart, Texas. According to local news sources, Benzer took home the coveted title with her steer Leadfoot, 33 years after her father won the junior steer show.
The Reserve Grand Champion was shown by Mattison Koepp, an FFA member from LaVernia, Texas. Koepp’s steer was purchased by Edward and Sasha Bass and Sundance Square for $230,000.
The Grand Champion Barrow, a Hampshire shown by Montgomery, Texas 4-H member Kaitlyn Mason, went for a final bid of $35,000 from Standard Meat Company. Double Eagle Energy topped the bidding at $30,000 for the Reserve Grand Champion Barrow, exhibited by Elin Rivera, an FFA member from De Leon, Texas.
The Grand Champion Wether Lamb, a Medium Wool Crossbred shown by 4-H member Landrie Lain from Weatherford, Texas, was purchased by LKCM Headwater, LKCM Capital Group and Distribution Solutions Group for $100,000. Grace Moore, a 4-H San Angelo, Texas member, exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion Lamb that sold for $90,000. Ladies on the Lamb purchased Moore’s Medium Wool Crossbred.
Brett Bowers, an FFA member from Fredericksburg, Texas, sold the Grand Champion Wether Goat for $35,000 to Susan and Stephen Butt. The Reserve Grand Champion Weather Goat was exhibited by Zane Walker, a 4-H member from Ovalo, Texas, and fetched a winning bid of $20,000 from Luther King Capital Management and the U Ol’ Goat buying group.
The Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate, along with Women Steering Business, Band of Barrows, U Ol’ Goat Committee, Ladies on the Lamb, and the Tallest Hog at the Trough Syndicate, were responsible for the purchase of all animals offered in the Junior Sale of Champions.Image
