Auction of Junior Livestock Champions

January 24, 2025

Supporting youth exhibitors through the exciting Junior Livestock Auction!

Of the thousands of junior market animals that compete at the National Western Stock Show each year, only 96 of the very best qualify for the exciting Auction of Junior Livestock Champions. The auction is the final marketplace for the ribbon-winning steers, lambs, hogs, and goats that were raised by junior exhibitors, 4-H and FFA youngsters ranging in age from 9 to 18. The auction of Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion animals is televised live on Denver’s 9NEWS, and winning bids have reached as high as $200,000!

The Auction of Junior Livestock Champions continues to encourage today’s youth to seek a future in agriculture, and to further their education. A majority of the winning bid price goes directly to the Junior Exhibitor, and 10% of each bid price is donated to support the National Western Scholarship Trust.

Presented by

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Erika Schroeder

Buyers Came Out in Support of the Future Leaders in Agriculture 


The iconic Beef Palace Auction Arena at the National Western Stock Show hosted a standing-room-only crowd for the 2024 Auction of Junior Livestock Champions, presented by BOK Financial. The generosity of the buyers was evident as the sale numbers were tallied, totaling $548,000 across the top eight champion animals

The money invested supports the junior exhibitors who raised the animal as they prepare for their future in agriculture and college education. In addition, a portion of the proceeds supports the National Western Scholarship Trust. The Scholarship Trust funds agriculture studies and rural medicine scholarships at colleges throughout Colorado and Wyoming.

This year the full 98 animals totaled $1,374,000 coming in at the 2nd highest auction numbers the National Western has seen.  [Read the Full Press Release]

Proceeds from the Auction of Junior Livestock Champions go towards the National Western Scholarship Trust.

Get Involved Today!

Outstanding Supporters

9news Dilley Printing
OXY
SSA Group
US Foods


2025 Event Info

The auction kicks off with a Bidders’ Social in the National Western Club. Guests enjoy drinks and hors devours, while visiting with business colleagues, junior exhibitors and scholarship recipients. Guests then move into the Beef Palace Auction Arena for the live broadcast and exhilarating auction!

Date & Time

Friday, January 24, 2025
4:30pm Bidders’ Social
6:30pm Auction & Live Broadcast
*You must have an invitation to attend!

2024 Champions + Buyers

The 118th National Western tips its hat to the Champions & Buyers from the Auction of Junior Livestock Champions

Grand Champion Steer
2020 Grand Champion Steer winner: Ashtin Guyer, and Ames Construction Company

Exhibitor: Croix Reimann of Ree Heights, SD
Buyer: Ames Construction Company
Winning Bid: $185,000

Grand Champion Hog
2020 Grand Champion Hog Exhibitor: Alli Stromber, and Buyer: Transwest Trucks

Exhibitor: Gavin Straka of Yukon, OK
Buyer: Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
Winning Bid: $60,000

Grand Champion Lamb
2020 Grand Champion Lamb winner: Cody Sells, and Buyer: Occidental Petroleum Corporation

Exhibitor: Kinley Pruett of Elk City, OK
Buyer: APC Resources
Winning Bid: $52,000* Record

Grand Champion Goat
2020 Grand Champion Goat winner: Cody Sells, and Buyer: Babson Farms

Exhibitor: Sayde Allen of Elk City, OK
Buyer: Babson Farms
Winning Bid: $30,000

Reserve Grand Champion Steer
2020 Reserve Grand Champion Steer winner: Jagger Horn, and buyer: Kent Stevinson

Exhibitor: Mason Shalla of Riverside, IA
Buyer: Transwest Trucks, Inc.
Winning Bid: $100,000

Reserve Grand Champion Hog
2020 Reserve Grand Champion Hog winner: Mikala Grady, and Buyer: Brannan Sand & Gravel

Exhibitor: Kamlynn Mason of Montgomery, TX
Buyer: OXY
Winning Bid: $55,000

Reserve Grand Champion Lamb
2020 Reserve Grand Champion Lamb winner: Blake Skidgel, and buyer: Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce

Exhibitor: Carson Keller of Piqua, KS
Buyer: TKM Foundation; Audra & Sean McNicholas
Winning Bid: $40,000

Reserve Grand Champion Goat
2020 Reserve Grand Champion Goat winner: Aspen Martin, and buyer: Hutchison Western

Exhibitor: Dayton Mortvedt of Lynnville, IA
Buyer: Northwestern Holding, LLC 
Winning Bid: $26,000

2023 Champions + Buyers

The 117th National Western tips its hat to the Champions & Buyers from the Auction of Junior Livestock Champions

Grand Champion Steer
2020 Grand Champion Steer winner: Ashtin Guyer, and Ames Construction Company

Exhibitor: Justin Pfannebecker of LaSalle, Colorado
Buyer: Ames Construction Company
Winning Bid: $200,000* Record

Grand Champion Hog
2020 Grand Champion Hog Exhibitor: Alli Stromber, and Buyer: Transwest Trucks

Exhibitor: Selah Salmons of Weatherford, Texas
Buyer: Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
Winning Bid: $60,000

Grand Champion Lamb
2020 Grand Champion Lamb winner: Cody Sells, and Buyer: Occidental Petroleum Corporation

Exhibitor: Hayden Schroeder of Zephyr, Texas
Buyer: APC Resources
Winning Bid: $50,000* Tied Record

Grand Champion Goat
2020 Grand Champion Goat winner: Cody Sells, and Buyer: Babson Farms

Exhibitor: Dakota Martin of Mason, Texas
Buyer: Babson Farms
Winning Bid: $30,000

Reserve Grand Champion Steer
2020 Reserve Grand Champion Steer winner: Jagger Horn, and buyer: Kent Stevinson

Exhibitor: Mason Grady of Grandview, Texas
Buyer: Transwest Trucks, Inc.
Winning Bid: $100,000

Reserve Grand Champion Hog
2020 Reserve Grand Champion Hog winner: Mikala Grady, and Buyer: Brannan Sand & Gravel

Exhibitor: Karsyn Fetzer of Kersey, Colorado
Buyer: OXY
Winning Bid: $75,000* Record

Reserve Grand Champion Lamb
2020 Reserve Grand Champion Lamb winner: Blake Skidgel, and buyer: Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce

Exhibitor: Bailee Amstutz of Richwood, Ohio
Buyer: TKM Foundation; Audra & Sean McNicholas
Winning Bid: $45,000* Record

Reserve Grand Champion Goat
2020 Reserve Grand Champion Goat winner: Aspen Martin, and buyer: Hutchison Western

Exhibitor: Hayden Schroeder of Zephyr, Texas
Buyer: Northwestern Holding, LLC 
Winning Bid: $25,000