The live auction at the 70th annual Spring Livestock Show & Fair set a new record this year when the Grand Champion Steer was purchased for $15,000 – the highest amount ever.
Exhibitor Regan Greer of Spring High School was all smiles when she brought her steer into the pavilion, where dozens of buyers and spectators turned out in support of the annual event. As the bid amount and excitement kept increasing, Greer managed to keep her steer, and emotions, in check. But when the auctioneer closed out the sale at $15,000, Greer was visibly thrilled.
“I fought long and hard to raise him right and we thought, he’s not fat enough, he’s not big enough,” she said. “I for sure was never expecting a grand champion, much less to go up there and set a record on the auction block. I have a great support system and great friends and great family and a ton of people who have helped me throughout the entire process.”
That journey will take Greer next year to Texas A&M University, where she plans to study poultry science. Earlier in Saturday’s auction, her broilers also set a record at $2,600.
Read more: 70th Annual Spring Livestock Show & Fair Opens at Nagy Pavilion
That same kind of community support was on full display during the three-day event that raised more than $130,000 among the 266 entries, which included everything from broiler chickens, swine and rabbits to cakes, arts and crafts and photography. Proceeds are used by the students to fund future projects as well as postsecondary goals.
“This event is a highlight of the year,” said Spring ISD Superintendent Dr. Rodney E. Watson, who joined other members of the district’s administration to form the Spring Stampede Buyers Group, funded by employee donations and other charitable contributions. “The live auction is always exciting and really displays the amount of time and effort our students put into their projects. We are always happy about being able to come out and support their work, thanks to the contributions of generous donors.”
This year’s top 10 buyers were, in no particular order:
- Meyer Farm
- Spring Stampede
- Dirty Dozen Buyers Group
- Andy and Mary Cochrum
- James and Delane Morell
- Harris County Farms
- Black Sheep Buyers Group
- Debbie Dixon and Family
- Danny and Barbara Drake
- Adam and Cary Herndon