2024 Maverick County Junior Livestock Show & Sale Sets New $440K Record
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2024
With the American economy and stock market soaring in late-2023 and early-2024, the 2024 edition of the Maverick County Junior Livestock Show and Sale benefitted from the robust economy establishing a new Sale record of $440,000 on Saturday, January 20, 2024, as many local, regional, and statewide buyers participated in purchasing one or more show animal projects exhibited by Maverick County 4-H and FFA members, announced Roberto Martinez, President of the Maverick County Junior Livestock Show Association.
Over 150 animals were sold at the Saturday, January 20, Sale in a three and a half hour auction to the highest bidder of each project, added Martinez.
The January 20 Sale kicked-off with the Grand Champion Market Steer exhibited by Isabella de la Garza being purchased by perennial Top Buyer Minits Convenience Stores of Uvalde, Texas led by Regional Manager, Vanessa Kidd, for a whopping $6,500 price after a flurry of bids battled it out for the top prize of the show.
Following the Grand Champion Market Steer, Anahi Molina’s Grand Champion Goat sold for $4,300 to top bidder H. E. B. represented by Eagle Pass Store Director Andy Perales and Juan Guerra.
The Grand Champion Market Lamb exhibited by Jesus Tovar, III, fetched $4,600 from buyers Beyer and Sonia Junfin and Dr. Sergio and Linda Zamora.
The Grand Champion Market Hog shown by Gabrielle Galvan sold for $6,100 to local Eagle Pass attorneys, Ruiz & Associates, represented by father and son, Joe and Adrian Ruiz.
After the Grand Champions were auctioned, then came the Reserve Grand Champion animals, including Gabrielle Kelly’s Market Steer fetching $4,500; Kael Ruiz’s Market Goat raised $3,900; Jimena Molina’s Market Lamb went for $4,000; and Nathan Sanchez’s Market Hog sold for $6,100, setting the tempo for the rest of the animals throughout the auction.
When the last animal was sold at the January 20 Sale, Auctioneer Oscar San Miguel of Del Rio, Texas had to take a few lozenges for his overworked throat and voice after going for three and one-half hours at the Sale auction.
Prior to the Sale, the 2024 Maverick County Junior Livestock Show was dedicated in honor of community volunteer and retired educator, Glenna Purcell, who was introduced by her granddaughter, Sydney Gloria, receiving a standing ovation from over 600 people in attendance.
Also recognized at the January 20 Sale were the previous year’s 2023 Top Ten Buyers, including No. 1 Minits Convenience Store with $34,673.85; No. 2 Ancira Ford Chrysler Jeep Eagle Pass with $32,111.80; No. 3 Eagle Pass Piggy Gram with $20,217.00; No. 4 Cotulla Ranch Limited Partnership with $19,000.00; No. 5 Kunafin The Insectary with $17,500.20; No. 6 Brown Chevrolet GMC Eagle Pass with $16,257.40; No. 7 Ramos Law Firm with $15,914,30; No. 8 Morris and Dora Libson with $15,300.00; No. 9 A. E. Hiller & Sons with $14,798.60; Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center with $13,000.00; No. 11 Ruiz and Associates with $12,850.00; No. 12 Nevarez Law Group, PC with $12,100.00; No. 13 H.E.B. with $11,936.00; and No. 14 Maverick County Junior Livestock Show Pageant Committee with $10,000.00.
The Judges at the 2024 MCJLS included Kevin Jendrusch for Cattle and Lamb; John Reavs for Goat and Hog; Fernando Rodriguez for Rabbits; and Joevanna Sanchez for Poultry.
The MCJLS Association Board of Directors is composed of Robert Martinez, President; Armando De La Cruz, Vice-President; Rosie Willars, Secretary; Luis Rodriguez, Treasurer; and Board Members, Fito Nava, Tony Camarillo, and Tony Mejia.
The MCJLS Association and Board of Directors genuinely thank all the wonderful people who volunteered, assisted, helped, and purchased one or more show animals in making the 2024 MCJLS a great success.
