SAN ANGELO, Texas — Amidst the dust and excitement of the San Angelo Rodeo's final week, the spotlight turned to the next generation of livestock exhibitors at the 2024 Premium Sale, held on a soggy Saturday in the First Community Federal Credit Union Spur Arena.
The Premium Sale stands as a testament to the dedication and perseverance of youth exhibitors who poured months of hard work into raising, training, and showcasing their market animals. From steers to lambs, goats, and pigs, young participants from 4H and FFA programs across Texas converged to display the results of their labor.
"This event is the culmination of countless hours of dedication and care," remarked one of the event organizers. "It's a celebration of the bond between these young exhibitors and their animals, as well as their commitment to excellence."
With the San Angelo Stock Show serving as a premier platform for budding livestock enthusiasts, the stakes were high as entries faced scrutiny from professionals in the market animal industry. Only the best of the best earned the coveted opportunity to participate in the Premium Sale.
According to organizers, out of the approximately 6,000 entries in various categories, a mere 140—less than 2%—secured a place in the prestigious sale. However, for those fortunate few, the rewards were substantial.
During the sale, buyers, ranging from local businesses to community members and organizations, showcased their support for the youth exhibitors by bidding on their projects. Yet, unlike traditional auctions, where buyers take home their purchases, the essence of the Premium Sale lies in its altruistic nature.
"The buyers play a crucial role in encouraging and rewarding these young talents," explained another organizer. "Their bids not only recognize the hard work put in by the exhibitors but also contribute to their future endeavors."
Following the show, the purchased animals are sent for processing, with their carcasses later evaluated based on various criteria. This rigorous assessment, occurring after the conclusion of the San Angelo Stock Show in February, further underscores the commitment to quality upheld by both exhibitors and organizers.
The Premium Sale, held in conjunction with the final Saturday of the three-week San Angelo Rodeo in April, adds an extra layer of excitement and festivity to the event. It serves as a bridge between the thrill of the rodeo arena and the dedication demonstrated in the livestock barns.
As the dust settles and the cheers fade, the 2024 Premium Sale leaves an indelible mark on the San Angelo community, highlighting not only the passion for agriculture but also the unwavering support for its future stewards. In the hearts of these young exhibitors, it represents not just a sale, but a culmination of dreams, determination, and the promise of tomorrow.
Below are photos of the Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Exhibitors and Buyers from the 2024 San Angelo Stock Show Premium Sale:
Mason Grady, Johnson County 4-H Grand Champion Steer Photo by Yantis Green
Mason Grady, Johnson County 4-H Grand Champion Steer
Buyers: David Rodriguez - H-E-B, James Sanderson - Armstrong Backus and Company, Chris Evatt - First Financial Bank, Bill Nikolauk - 1st Community Federal Credit Union, Lloyd Whitehead - Rockingchair Ranch, Phil Gandy - Gandy Ink, Bubba Davis - West Texas Steel, Anna Artecona - Housley Group, Monica Harding - Twin Mountain Fence
Addison Roberson, Idalou FFA GC Lamb 2024 Yantis Green Photo
Addison Roberson, Idalou FFA GC Lamb 2024
Buyers: Jessica Chesshire - Housley Group, Josh Jones - H-E-B, John Mayer - Mayer Ranch, Phil Gandy - Gandy Ink, Joann Walter - Schneider Distributing, Monica Harding - Twin Mountain Fence, Vickie Loso - 1st Community Federal Credit Union, Scott Riddle - Gallagher, Mike Martin - Goode Construction, Sylvia Flores - Ganett, James Sanderson - Armstrong Backus and Company, Toni Sudduth - Trans Texas Southwest Credit Union, Clay Cross - Cross Texas Construction, Bubba Davis - West Texas Steel, Cliff Caldwell - Lauren and Cliff Caldwell, Jimmy Barton - Mediajaw, Devin Barratt - Barratt Remodeling
Kamlynn Mason, Montgomery County 4-H GC Barrow Yantis Green Photo
Kamlynn Mason, Montgomery County 4-H Grand Champion Barrow
Buyers: Mark Nikolauk - Little Caesars, Chris Knappe - WTX Landscape, Cliff Caldwell - Lauren and Cliff Caldwell, Jimmy Barton - Mediajaw, Bridget Scott - Palmer Feed and Supply, Monica Harding - Twin Mountain Fence, Vickie Loso - 1st Community Federal Credit Union, Bubba Davis - West Texas Steel, Raliegh Little - The Bank & Trust, James Sanderson - Armstrong Backus and Company, Larry Land - H-E-B
Madden Wise, Brown County 4-H GC Goat, Yantis Green Photo
Madden Wise, Brown County 4-H Grand Champion Goat
Buyers: Guy Abbott - Glazers Beer & Beverage, Joe Sosa for Josh Murrell - Firehouse Auto Works, Laci Jo Stone - Schneider Distributing, Monica Harding - Twin Mountain Fence, State Representative Drew Darby, Vickie Loso - 1st Community Federal Credit Union, David Rodriguez - H-E-B, Colby Chesshire - Housley Group, Darcy Weishuhn - The Bank & Trust, Bubba Davis - West Texas Steel, Blake Denning - Central Texas Farm Credit, Jimmy Barton - Mediajaw, Cliff Caldwell - Lauren and Cliff Caldwell, Todd Neff - Neff Club Lambs, John Mayer - Mayer Ranch
Kennedy Powe, Stephenville FFA Reserve Grand Champion Steer, Yantis Green Photo
Kennedy Powe, Stephenville FFA Reserve Grand Champion Steer
Buyers: Judy Hyde - San Angelo Live, Josh Jones - H-E-B, Chris Gomoz - 1CFCU Insurance Services, Derek Morrison - Southern Glazers, Keri Rudasill - Keri Rudasill CPA, Tommy Neal - Edward Jones, Mike Martin - Goode Construction, Mindy Martin - Boujee's Mini Moos, Bubba Davis - West Texas Steel, Phil Gandy - Gandy Ink, Toni Sudduth - Trans Texas Southwest Credit Union, Jimmy Barton - Mediajaw, Clay Cross - Cross Texas Construction, Cliff Caldwell - Lauren and Cliff Caldwell
Curry Smithwick, Runnels County 4-H Reserve Grand Champion Lamb, Yantis Green Photo
Curry Smithwick, Runnels County 4-H Reserve Grand Champion Lamb
Buyers: Sean Carter - City Lumber, Ryan Stone - Ryan and Laci Jo Stone, John Walter - Schneider Distributing, Guy Abbott - Yuengling, Tad Cason - Warren Cat, John Mayer - Mayer Ranch, Laci Jo Stone - Schneider Distributing, Phil Gandy - Gandy Ink, Monica Harding - Twin Mountain Fence, Brittany Schniers for U.S. Congressman August Pfluger, Vickie Loso - 1st Community Federal Credit Union, James Sanderson - Armstrong Backus and Company, Billie Smithwick - Schneider Distributing, Bubba Davis - West Texas Steel, Joann Walter - Schneider Distributing, Ricky Gregory - Ricky & Bea Gregory, RE Hopkins - RJ Steel, Tyler Niehues - Central Texas Farm Credit, Todd Price - Jim Bass Ford, Todd Neff - Neff Club Lambs
Brayden Moore, Hockley County 4-H Reserve Grand Champion Barrow, Yantis Green Photo
Brayden Moore, Hockley County 4-H Reserve Grand Champion Barrow
Buyers: Laci Jo Stone - Schneider Distributing, Monica Harding - Twin Mountain Fence, Derek Moore, Judy Sheffield - FPC Services, Mindy Martin - Boujee's Mini Moos, Mike Martin - Goode Construction, Vickie Loso - 1st Community Federal Credit Union, Jimmy Barton - Mediajaw, Cliff Caldwell - Lauren and Cliff Caldwell, Bubba Davis - West Texas Steel, Dusty Hester - Angelo Networks, Darcy Weishuhn - The Bank & Trust
Zane Walker, Taylor County 4-H Reserve Grand Champion Goat, Yantis Green Photo
Zane Walker, Taylor County 4-H Reserve Grand Champion Goat
Buyers: James Sanderson - Armstrong Backus and Company, Anna Artecona - Housley Group, Larry Land - H-E-B, Monica Harding - Twin Mountain Fence, Cooper Hogg - LCRA, Laci Jo Stone - Schneider Distributing, Jimmy Barton - Mediajaw, Cliff Caldwell - Lauren and Cliff Caldwell, Toni Sudduth - Trans Texas Southwest Credit Union, Clay Cross - Cross Texas Construction, Bubba Davis - West Texas Steel, Phil Gandy - Gandy Ink, Steve Mahaffey - City Lumber, John Mayer - Mayer Ranch, Chris Evatt - First Financial Bank, Todd Price - Jim Bass Ford
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