FWSSS Accepts Bill King Award at Stock Show's Livestock Appreciation Day

For its efforts over the past four decades, the Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate (FWSSS) was honored with the coveted W.A. “Bill” King Award for Excellence in Agriculture on Thursday afternoon.

The Bill King Award recognizes a business, individual or family that has significantly contributed to agriculture or to the agribusiness industry. The award was presented during the Fort Worth Stock Show’s Livestock Appreciation Day Luncheon presented by Lone Star Ag Credit in the Round Up Inn at the Amon G. Carter Jr. Exhibit Hall in the Will Rogers Memorial Center.

Since its founding in 1980, the Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate has purchased more than 8,800 animals from Texas 4-H and FFA exhibitors at a total price in excess of $59.5 million. Every dollar goes to the youth who raised the award-winning animals.

“This is truly an amazing honor for our organization and a terrific way to celebrate our 40th anniversary,” Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate chairman Trey Gordon said. “We are humbled to receive the Bill King Award and to have our organization listed among the giants of the agricultural industry. Receiving this award is a testament to all members past and present and all of our sponsors and donors who have done so much for so many.”

Each of the past seven years, the FWSSS 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.

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.

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.