Rodeo Daily

National Western Stock Show Champions Rack Up Over $540,000

The Grand and Reserve Champions in each of the four major market shows came out on top in the most prestigious livestock show.

Kaleb Kistner

National Western Stock Show Champions Rack Up Over $540,000
National Western Stock Show Champions Rack Up Over $540,000 /

The National Western Stock Show and Rodeo (NWSSR) concluded on Sunday, January 21 in Denver, Colo. The NWSSR is regarded as the most prestigious livestock show in the world, or as Denver likes to call it, the "Super Bowl" of livestock shows.

Jan. 6-21, youth from all over the country came to Denver to showcase their hard work and dedication to their livestock projects. The market shows, which are known for their profitability, were the main attraction. The market, showmanship, and breeding shows were the most popular, but shows featuring herding dogs, chickens, turkeys, and even alpacas were also held at the NWSSR.

The market livestock category focused primarily on steers, hogs, goats, and lambs. The NWSSR is a unique show because it is a "hair" show, meaning that the steers cannot be clipped.

Over 1,500 young people participated in this year's market show. Youth aged 9 to 18 were allowed to showcase one animal each. Out of the over 1,500 competitors, only 98 youths were invited to the Auction of Junior Livestock Champions.

The 2024 NWSSR Auction of Junior Livestock Champions generated over $1,374,000 from the sale of 98 heads of livestock, the second-highest earning auction in NWSSR history. 

A large portion of the proceeds goes to the showman to further their education and continue advocating for agriculture. A small portion of the funds is returned to the National Western Scholarship Trust.

Grand Champion Steer

  • Shown by Croix Reimann from Ree Heights, SD
  • Sold to Ames Construction Company, $185,000

Reserve Grand Champion Steer

  • Shown by Mason Shalla from Riverside, IA
  • Sold to Transwest Trucks Inc., $100,000

Grand Champion Lamb

  • Shown by Kinely Pruitt
  • Sold to APC Resources, $52,000

Reserve Grand Champion Lamb

  • Shown by Carson Kellar
  • Sold to TKM Foundation, Audra and Sean McNicholas, $40,000

Grand Champion Hog

  • Shown by Gavin Straka from Yukon, OK
  • Sold to Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, $60,000

Reserve Grand Champion Hog

  • Shown by Kamlynn Mason from Montgomery, TX
  • Sold to OXY, $55,000

Grand Champion Goat

  • Shown by Sayde Allen
  • Sold to Babson Farms, $30,000

Reserve Grand Champion Goat

  • Shown by Dayton Mortvedt from Lynnville, IA
  • Sold to Northwestern Holding, LLC, $26,000

The NWSSR has marked the beginning of the livestock showing season. The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo has just begun and is scheduled to run for the next two weeks. It is the only other "hair" livestock show. 

Livestock shows and events are excellent ways to promote agriculture and the Western way of life beyond rodeo. They offer a great opportunity to showcase our love for our livestock and our land.

Published
Kaleb Kistner
KALEB KISTNER

Kaleb Kistner is from New Braunfels, a small community nestled in the Texas Hill Country. There’s only one “s” in Braunfels! Growing up in Comal County, it was an annual tradition to attend the Comal County Fair and Rodeo. Down the road was the San Antonio Stockshow and Rodeo, that his grandparents would religiously take him to each year. Along with the annual rodeos, Kaleb was an active member in FFA throughout high school. Showing rabbits and pigs, assisting with steers and goats, and participating in leadership development events, Kaleb received a well-rounded, basic education in agriculture. On top of that, Kaleb earned his Eagle Scout with Boy Scouts of America. Kaleb has a strong work ethic and love for agriculture and the great outdoors. He hopes to be able to spread his knowledge and bring a better understanding of the Western way of life to those who may not understand. Kaleb has pursued a career in plumbing, continuing to achieve each possible license as quickly as he can. Kaleb has a beautiful fiancée Makayla and his sweet daughter Kinleigh. During his down time, he and his family enjoy going to their parents’ ranches to spend time with the family. 

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