Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate Ready to Celebrate It's 40th Year

FORT WORTH, Texas (Jan. 17, 2020) – Celebrating its 40th year of making an impact on Texas 4-H and FFA youth, the Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate (FWSSS) has its sights set on another spectacular sale in 2020.

Each of the past seven years, the Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate has raised more than $3 million for youth exhibitors at the annual Junior Sale of Champions, including a record-setting mark of $3.96 million in 2019.

“For 40 years, our mission has been steadfast,” Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate chairman Trey Gordon said. “This is all about the young men and women who are the future of agriculture. Our members work tirelessly on their behalf all year long because that’s what these young people do each and every day.”
Since its inception in 1980, the Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate has purchased more than 8,800 animals at a total price in excess of $59.5 million. After last year’s record-breaking sale, the organization has distributed more than $20 million to exhibitors since 2014. Every dollar goes to the youth who raised the award-winning animals.

For its efforts over four decades, the FWSSS will receive the coveted W.A. “Bill” King Award, which recognizes a business, individual or family that has significantly contributed to agriculture or to the agribusiness industry. The Bill King Award for Excellence in Agriculture will be awarded during the Fort Worth Stock Show’s Livestock Appreciation Day Luncheon presented by Lone Star Ag Credit on Thursday, Jan. 23.

This year’s Junior Sale of Champions will take place on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 9 a.m. in West Arena. The Grand Champion Steer of the Show will be the first animal up for auction, followed by the Reserve Champion. In all, nearly 300 steers, lambs, barrows and wether goats will be auctioned.

As always, the Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate, whose membership numbers over 100, does not put an emphasis on a specific number goal, but rather focuses on knowing that whatever the final number is, the impact on the lives of the youth exhibitors will be meaningful and lasting.

The final judging of steers takes place on Friday, Feb. 7, and will take place inside Will Rogers Coliseum for the first time this year. The Grand Champion Steer of the Show and Reserve Grand Champion are selected in the early afternoon.

The Grand Champion has sold for at least $195,000 each of the past eight years, and has averaged a price tag of $215,000 over that timeframe.

However, the Syndicate’s mission revolves around more than just the top steer. It is about ensuring the highest dollar figures possible for all of the exhibitors all morning long by securing hundreds of sponsors and donors.

“Our sponsors and donors are incredibly generous, and we are so grateful for them,” Gordon said. “Year in and year out they are dedicated to the cause. They do so much for so many.”

In addition to the sale prices, the Syndicate has helped children pursue their educational and agricultural goals over the past nearly four decades. This year, the organization will award two dozen $10,000 scholarships to FFA and 4-H students as part of the James M. “Jim Bob” Norman Scholarship Fund. Over its history, the scholarship fund has distributed more than $1.8 million to area students.