Smith wins Houston breed banner

The 2019 Grand Champion Junior Market Barrow at the Houston Stock Show will be chosen at 7:30 p.m. tonight in the NRG Center East Arena and Connor Smith’s pig, already selected Champion Poland China Barrow on Sunday, March 10, will be among only nine animals in the ring vying for the honor.

In addition, the Nancy Smith Elementary student is not the only local youth who has qualified for the Houston Stock Show Premium Auction this year. 

Four other Shackelford County exhibitors have made the sale, another placed high with a breeding animal, and the junior market steer results were not yet available as of press time. 

“The show has been going pretty well,” said county agent Michaela Bradford. “The families worked hard all year to get here, and the kids have been showing well, so it has been really rewarding to see them be so successful. And Connor’s pig was born and raised in Albany, which makes this win even more special!” 

Jr. Breeding Winner

Gracie Price took fourth with her late spring calf Gracie Girl 15 in class 1, Maine Anjou Junior Breeding Heifers.

Jr. Market Winners

Connor Smith won Class 35, heavy weight Poland China Barrows, and returned to claim the breed championship.

Conner Clark placed fifth in Class 11, Junior Market Goats.

Cache Clark was 14th in Class 3, Junior Market Goats.

Brayden Sullivan made the sale with a 16th place market goat.

Hannah Snyder showed a light weight dark cross barrow to sixth place in Class 50.

Paisley Clark and Colter Edgar also competed at Houston.

Top Breeder

Smith’s breed champion pig was bred locally by his grandfather Rocky Parsons, along with Jearl Boyett and Mike Parsons, of EZ Farms and Ibex Gene-tics Show Hogs.