Seventeen-year-old Mikala Grady, Johnson County 4-H Club, and Oscar, her Grand Champion Steer, set a new record at the 2019 Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction October 4. Her prize-winning steer was purchased by Big Tex Champion Club, after an anonymous donor made auction history by bidding $155,000.
This year’s Youth Market Steer Show was highly competitive, with 357 steers entered. The preliminary amount raised for Texas youth in the 71st annual State Fair of Texas Youth Livestock Auction is $1.5 million.
In 2017, the Fair introduced “The Champ,” a steer-shaped monument to commemorate the Grand Champion Market Steer from the youth livestock auction. The Champ, painted to resemble Oscar, stands proudly in front of the Briscoe Carpenter Livestock Center throughout the Fair.
Additional Auction Winners
Photo: State Fair of Texas
The State Fair of Texas Midway Concessionaires and Ride Operators bought the Reserve Grand Champion Market Steer from Zane Potter of Harris County 4-H for $36,000. Big Tex Golf Classic paid Kaden Mason of Montgomery County FFA $25,000 for the Grand Champion Market Barrow. Frank Deel bought the Grand Champion Market Lamb for the price of $25,000 from Madellyn Adams of Brown County 4-H.
Atmos Energy bought the Grand Champion Market Goat owned by Cydnee Hanslik of Jim Ned FFA for $20,000. Ella Porter of Montgomery County 4-H sold her Grand Champion Market Broiler to MEI and Texas Air Systems for $10,500.
Full-time employees of the State Fair of Texas traditionally pitch in to purchase an animal in the auction. The State Fair team broke their record with two bids this year. Berkley Bird of Lubbock County 4-H received $7,700 for his Reserve Champion Market Steer, and Ollen Pearson of Hockley County 4-H received $6,000 for a Reserve Champion Market Barrow.
Photo: State Fair of Texas
Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction represents tireless planning and dedication by exhibitors and organizers. The Youth Livestock Auction has a mission to bring families and friends together while benefiting the community. It also provides fairgoers with some old-fashioned fun, reminding many Texans of their rural roots. Approximately 3,500 entries from around the Lone Star State competed for one of 392 spots in this year’s auction.
Students who were lucky enough to win a spot in the auction can sell their animals to the highest bidder. After receiving a previously determined maximum payment for their animal, excess proceeds are donated to the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Program.
The 2019 State Fair of Texas exposition runs through October 20 in Fair Park. Visit BigTex.com for more information.
