For more than 600 Texas youth exhibitors, the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction represents the culmination of months of hard work, dedication, and dreams for the future. For the hundreds of State Fair of Texas volunteers and generous donors who support them, it represents the culmination of a year-round commitment to helping Texas students succeed. This year, that commitment resulted in more than $2.7 million raised for Texas students through the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Programs.
The fundraising effort begins long before Auction Day, with hundreds of State Fair volunteers supporting signature events including the Big Tex Clay Shoot Classic, Big Tex Golf Classic, and State Fair Saddle Up: the Kickoff to Fair, hosted by the Big Tex Champion Club. Together, these efforts lead to the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction, where Texas youth exhibitors take center stage.
100% of all donations to the Big Tex Youth Livestock and Scholarship Programs go directly toward supporting Texas students. The success of the 24-day State Fair of Texas each fall helps make that possible. Because the Fair organization covers the operating costs of its fundraising events and programs, every dollar donated to the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Programs can go directly toward helping Texas students pursue their educational goals.
The Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction – hosted annually on the second Friday of the State Fair – kicked off on Friday, October 2 in the Briscoe Carpenter Livestock Center at Fair Park, with the sale of the Grand Champion Market Steer. This year’s prize-winning steer was purchased by longtime State Fair donor Frank Deel and Family along with the Big Tex Champion Club for a generous bid of $227,000, setting a new State Fair of Texas record.
Prior to the event, State Fair Board of Directors member and longtime donor Heath Cheek was recognized as the newest member of the Black-Tie level in celebration of his significant contributions to the organization. Eleven additional generous donors were also inducted into the Capital Circle.
With 442 steers competing in the Youth Market Steer Show this year, earning the Grand Champion title was no easy feat. After hundreds of steers and hours of judging, Jett James of Wise County 4-H, age 16, took home the grand prize with his winning steer, “Roger.”
Brindley Boston of Ellis County 4-H sold her Reserve Grand Champion Market Steer to Oncor® and Sherry Bartholow, Roger Perry, Rick Howard, Billy Self, and Walter Wade for $76,000.
Additional Grand and Reserve Grand Champion sales included:
- Grand Champion Market Barrow: Billie Benson of Montgomery FFA, sold to the Briscoe Carpenter Families for $44,000.
- Reserve Grand Champion Market Barrow: Colter Winter of Lubbock County 4-H, sold to State Fair of Texas Concessioners and Midway Ride Operators for $30,000.
- Grand Champion Market Lamb: Aaren Rivera of Coahoma FFA, sold to the Amy and Les Ware Foundation for $43,000.
- Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb: Cade Schaeffer of Martins Mill FFA, sold to Deirdre and Bob Ruckman and Jack Pew, Jr. for $50,000.
- Grand Champion Market Goat: Brisco Black of Brown County 4-H, sold to League Ranch, Chase Galbraith, FI Assets, Valley View Cattle Company, Joshua McCartor, and Friona Industries for $43,000.
- Reserve Grand Champion Market Goat: Ashlynn Sursa of Wheeler County 4-HFFA, sold to Martin Peck, Douglas Thompson, Lisa and Bill O’Dwyer. Dynamic Systems, UA Local #100 and Romar Supply Inc. for $34,000.
- Grand Champion Market Broiler: Zane Wilson of El Campo FFA, sold to Ablon & Partners for $27,000.
- Reserve Grand Champion Market Broiler: Olivia Andruss of Grimes County 4-H, sold to Gina Norris and John Norris III for $26,000.
An annual tradition since 2015, full-time employees of the State Fair of Texas also pitch in each year to purchase an animal at Auction. Continuing that tradition for the 11th consecutive year, nearly the entire State Fair team joined together to bid $15,500 on a Breed Reserve Market Steer owned by Harper McMurphy of Randall County 4-H.
The State Fair team’s participation reflects the organization’s commitment to its nonprofit mission of promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement. The Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Programs bring those mission pillars to life by celebrating the hard work of Texas youth while creating opportunities for students to pursue higher education.
“Auction Day is the culmination of a tremendous amount of work by our youth exhibitors, their families, our volunteers, and our generous donors, but the impact goes far beyond this one day,” said Mitchell Glieber, President of the State Fair of Texas. “Our volunteers work year-round to raise funds for Texas students, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who gives their time, resources, and support to make these opportunities possible.”
Supported by community leaders, businesses, families, and individual donors, the annual Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction represents the dedication of the youth exhibitors who participate and the passionate volunteers who organize and support the event.
More than 2,400 entries from across Texas competed for one of the coveted 604 spots in this year’s Auction. Students who earn a spot in the Auction have the opportunity to sell their animals to the highest bidder. Students then receive a previously determined maximum payment, or premium, for their animal, while excess proceeds support additional Texas students through the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Programs.
The programs benefit students who have competed in youth livestock events at the State Fair, as well as students attending high schools in the Fair Park area. Since 2018, the State Fair of Texas has awarded more than $25.3 million in auction awards and scholarships through the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Programs.
The State Fair of Texas congratulates all the students who participated in its youth livestock competitive events and is proud to support them in their pursuit of higher education.
The 2027 Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction will be held Friday, October 1, 2027.
The State Fair of Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and does not receive any government funding or support. Its nonprofit purpose is funded through the proceeds from the annual State Fair of Texas event. Net proceeds from the Fair are used to help preserve and improve Fair Park; underwrite museums, community initiatives, and scholarship programs that support students throughout the Lone Star State pursuing higher education; and improve State Fair operations to help put on the next great State Fair of Texas.
The 2026 State Fair of Texas runs through Sunday, October 18, 2026. For more information, visit BigTex.com.