The National Western Stock Show Grand Champion Steer Sets a New Record

DENVER, CO – The standing-room-only crowd at the 2019 Auction of Junior Livestock Champions roared as the Grand Champion Steer sold for an all-time record of $150,000. The top eight champion animals tallied generous sales of $480,000. The Grand Champion Hog sold for $70,000, and the Reserve Grand Champion Steer sold for an impressive $90,000.

The money invested supports the junior exhibitors that raised the animal as they plan for their agricultural future and college educations. In addition, a portion of the proceeds support the National Western Scholarship Trust. The Scholarship Trust funds scholarships in agriculture studies and rural medicine at colleges throughout Colorado and Wyoming. This year, 100 students received funds to aid their education. For more information regarding the Scholarship Trust, please visit nationalwestern.com/educational-support/. 

Kutter Bland plans to attend Texas Tech with proceeds from his NWSS Champion Steer.

The top six Junior Livestock animals were auctioned off live on 9NEWS at 6:30 p.m., and the exciting results are as follows: The Grand Champion Steer weighing 1,339 pounds sold for an all-time high of $150,000 to Ames Construction Company.  The steer was shown by 17-year-old Kutter Bland. Kutter attends Idalou High School in Slanton, TX, and one day wants to attend Texas Tech to become a petroleum engineer.  

Kassidy Bremer is using part of her NWSS Reserve Champion Steer to go to Oklahoma State next year.

Junior exhibitor, Kassidy Bremer, showed her 1,369-pound Reserve Grand Champion Steer. The buyer, Stevinson Automotive, Kent Stevinson, purchased the animal for $90,000, which is the second-highest sale amount for a Reserve Grand Champion Steer. Kassidy is 18-years old and plans to attend Oklahoma State University to study Embryology.

Mikayla Grady, who had the Champion Market Hog, plans to study Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M.

Junior exhibitor and former Champion, Mikala Grady, returned and sold the Grand Champion Hog weighing 267 pounds for $70,000 to Transwest Trucks – besting the previous record by $30,000.  Mikala is no stranger to the auction ring, as she was the 2017 exhibitor for both the Reserve Grand Champion Steer and the Reserve Grand Champion Hog.

Sterling Boyles is only 12, but he is the Reserve Market Hog exhibitor at NWSS. His future plans include Texas A&M, where he wants to study engineering and beef production.

The 269-pound Reserve Champion Hog, “Hammer," was sold to Pete Coors & Family for $34,000. The hog was shown by Sterling Boyles from Canyon, TX. This was the 12-year-old's first time showing at the National Western Stock Show.

Lydia Straka with her Grand Champion Market Lamb. Lydia wants to attend Oklahoma State University in the near future.

The Grand Champion Lamb, shown by 17-year-old Lydia Stryka of Yukon, OK, was sold for $40,000 to Brannan Sand & Gravel. Lydia plans to attend Oklahoma State University. 

Carlye Winfrey had the Reserve Champion Lamb in Denver. Carlye plans to use her money to attend Texas Tech and major in agricultural communications.

CoBiz, now part of BOK Financial, purchased the Reserve Grand Champion Lamb for a new record of $36,000. The lamb was shown by 17-year-old junior exhibitor, Carlye Winfrey from Seminole, TX. Carlye will soon attend Texas Tech where she plans to study Agricultural Communications.

Hayden Schroeder, 14, showed the Champion Market Goat. Hayden plans to major in agribusiness at Oklahoma State University in the future.

14-year-old, Hayden Schroeder sold his Grand Champion Goat for $35,000 to Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. Hayden is from Zepher, TX, and he attends Early Texas Middle School. 

The Reserve Champion Goat exhibitor, Turner Matkin, plans to eventually attend Texas A&M and study animal science.

The Reserve Grand Champion Goat named Goose sold for $25,000 to the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. “Goose” was shown by 13-year-old Turner Matkin. Turner’s favorite experience in the show ring is shaking the judges hand.  

Congratulations to all from SC2Day!