2017 Maverick County Junior Livestock Show & Sale deemed successful

By: Miguel Munoz, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2017

The 2017 Maverick County Junior Livestock Show and Sale (MCJLS) ended its week-long activities with the Show Sale on Saturday, January 28, 2017 as 166 student animal projects were auctioned amidst a large audience of over 500 persons.

MCJLS Board of Directors President Tim Hardt stated that the 2017 MCJLS was deemed to be a success as 306 students participated and all activities went smoothly as planned.  Hardt stated the 2017 Show was successful due to the hard, volunteer work of his Board of Directors, Livestock Show and Division Superintendents, local and regional Buyers who purchased the 166 animals sold at auction, local businesses and individuals who donated prizes such as the Belt Buckles and volunteered, the 4-H and FFA students who participated were exemplary, the parents of the 4-H and FFA Exhibitors, and the community for attending and supporting the show.  Hardt thanked all of these people and more for making the 2017 MCJLS a success.

According to preliminary figures, the 2017 MCJLS Sale raised $330,027.95 on the sale of the 166 student project animals.

The 2017 MCJLS was dedicated to legendary attorney Verne F. Knickerbocker for his extraordinary support and generous donations to the youth of Maverick County and the MCJLS during 1970-2017.  Knickerbocker is also credited in getting the Maverick County legal community to participate and support the MCJLS and local 4-H and FFA members.

Auctioneer Oscar San Miguel opened the 2017 MCJLS Sale with the bidding on Eagle Pass High Schoool senior David Ramos’ 1,193 pound Grand Champion Steer named “Eagle” with heavy bidding interest among the buyers resulting in a record $16,200 bid for the Hereford-cross steer by State Representative Poncho Nevarez on behalf of his law firm, Nevarez Law Group.  David Ramos was extremely happy and grateful for the strong interest shown on his grand champion steer.

Alexandra Galvan’s 214 pound Grand Champion Hog drew a bidding war among buyers and sold for a bid of $10,000 from Ancira Ford Mercury of Eagle Pass.

Samantha Molina’s 93 pound Grand Champion Goat caused a bidding frenzy and sold for a bid of $8,500 from a buyers group composed of Aguila Construction, Friendly Pharmacy, Eagle Pass Dental Clinic, Morris and Dora Libson,  Nevarez Law Group, and Bravo Diesel.

Arturo Molina’s 136 pound Grand Champion Lamb caused a bidding ear among several buyers but in the end it sold for a bid of $11,000 from Jimmy Neutze of Uvalde.

Tonya Rodriguez’s 1,043 pound Reserve Grand Champion Steer sold for a bid of $6,000 from IBC Bank-Eagle Pass.

Marcus Cisneros’ 249 pound Reserve Grand Champion Hog sold for a bid of $4,000 from the Law Office of Victor E. Perry.

Fidencio R. Ruiz’s 81 pound Reserve Grand Champion Goat sold for a bid of $4,500 from HEB-Eagle Pass.

Jose Samaniego’s 146 pound Reserve Grand Champion Lamb sold for a bid of $8,000 from a group of buyers composed of Friendly Pharmacy, Nevarez Law Group, La Cantera Realty, and Morris and Dora Libson.

Another 158 student project animals were sold at the 2017 MCJLS Sale, totaling 166 overall.

The 2017 MCJLS Showmanship Champions were also selected. In the Steer category, Senior Division, Tonya Rodriguez won the Grand Champion Showmanship;and in the Junior Division, J.D. Negrete won the Grand Champion Showmanship.  In the Market Swine Category, Senior Division, Marcus Cisneros won the Grand Champion Showmanship; and in the Junior Division, Alyssa Duran won the Grand Champion Showmanship.  In the Market Lamb category, Senior Division,  Jerry Molina won the Grand Champion Showmanship; and in the Junior Division,  Felix Samaniego won the Grand Champion Showmanship.  In the Market Goat Category, Senior Division, Daniela Molina won the Grand Champion Showmanship; and in the Junior Division, Samantha Molina won the Grand Champion Showmanship.

Also honored on January 28th were the Top Ten Buyers of 2016, including No. 1 Aguila Construction with $20,000; No. 2. Nevarez Law Group with $19,769.55; No. 3 Dos Republicas Coal Partnership/Camino Real Fuels with $15,500; No. 4 Kunafin The Insectary with $12,915.79; No. 6 Ancira Eagle Pass Ford with $12,908.76; No. 7 Law Office of Victor E. Perry with $10,000; No. 8 HEB with $9,611.25; No. 9 Knickerbocker, Heredia, Jasso & Salinas with $9,524.32; and No. 10. Morris and Dora Libson with $9,081.51.

The MCJLS Board of Directors is composed of Tim Hardt, President; Armando De La Cruz, Vice-President; Alma Laura Chapa, Secretary; David Rodriguez, Treasurer; Jonathan Maurer, Board Member; Frank Flores, Board Member; and Joe Jimenez, Board Member.

The 2017 MCJLS was crowned with a Western Dance at the City of Eagle Pass International Center for Trade with live band music until the “last cow came home.”