October 6, 2025 – The 77th Annual Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction stole many hearts at this year’s State Fair of Texas. The Auction kicked off on Friday, October 3, 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 with their generous bid of $200,000 a new record for the State Fair of Texas. Prior to the event, donor Roger Perry was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award to celebrate his significant contributions to the organization.
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, the final decision was made; Harper Hale from Miami FFA, age 15, took home the grand prize for her winning steer, “Buttercup Fletcher.”
Elizabeth Norwood from Ellis County 4-H, sold her Reserve Grand Champion Market Steer to State Fair of Texas Concessionaires and Midway Ride Operators for $50,000.
The Grand Champion Market Barrow, owned by Weston Lackey of Haskell FFA, sold to the Briscoe Carpenter Families for $35,000.
The Reserve Grand Champion Market Barrow, owned by Zachery Ky Blount from Kerr County 4-H, sold to The Chambless Family Foundation for $25,000.
The Grand Champion Market Lamb, owned by Stratley Strube of Tom Green County 4-H, sold to the Amy and Les Ware Foundation for $31,000.
The Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb, owned by Reagan Miller from Denver City FFA, sold to Dee and Bob Ruckman for $15,000.
The Grand Champion Market Goat, owned by Hayzen Halfmann of Glasscock County 4-H, sold to Oncor®, Sherry Bartholow, and Roger Perry for $53,000.
The Reserve Grand Champion Market Goat, owned by Alexis Guthrie from Marion FFA, sold to Wayne and Laura Williams for $15,000.
Isabel Coufal of A&M Consolidated FFA sold her Grand Champion Market Broiler to FI Assets for $28,000.
The Reserve Grand Champion Market Broiler, owned by Levi Titzman from Walker County 4-H, sold to PegasusAblon for $12,000.
An annual tradition since 2015, full-time employees of the State Fair of Texas pitch in to purchase an animal at Auction. Continuing that tradition for the 10th year in a row, nearly the entire State Fair team pitched in to bid $19,000 on a Market Steer owned by Lynnleigh Read from Wise County 4-H, as well as an additional $7,000 on a Market Steer owned by Copper Popelka from Hockley County 4-H. Because the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Programs truly embody the State Fair’s mission of promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement, the team feels very passionate about contributing to these students.
Supported by community leaders and local businesses, the annual Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction is a representation of the extreme dedication put forth by the youth exhibitors participating, along with the planning and efforts of the passionate individuals who organize the event. The Auction is considered the heart and soul of the State Fair’s nonprofit mission pillars of agriculture and education. The Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction brings families and friends together for an occasion that benefits the community in addition to providing fairgoers with some good old-fashioned fun. More than 2,600 entries from around the state competed for one of the coveted 604 spots in the Auction this year. The students who earn a spot in the Auction get to sell their animals to the highest bidder. Students then receive a previously determined maximum payment – or premium – for their animal, with excess proceeds put towards supporting more Texas students through the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Program. The Program benefits students who have competed in youth livestock events at the State Fair, as well as students attending high schools in the Fair Park area. Through the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Programs, the State Fair has awarded more than $21.4 million in auction awards and scholarships since 2018.
The State Fair of Texas congratulates all the students who participate in its youth livestock competitive events and is happy to support them in their pursuit of higher education through the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Program. Save the date of the 2025 Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction on Friday, October 4, 2026.
The State Fair 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. The net proceeds from the Fair are used to help preserve and improve our home, Fair Park; underwrite museums, community initiatives, and scholarship programs to support students throughout the Lone Star State pursuing higher education; and help improve State Fair operations – to help put on the next great State Fair of Texas. Help support the Fair’s mission of celebrating all things Texan by promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement through quality entertainment in a family-friendly environment by attending the State Fair of Texas, running through Sunday, October 19.
