Record-breaking year for stock show
By Sam Waller
The 2025 Shackelford County Livestock Show is in the books, wrapping up just in time to beat a change in the weather.
The event, held Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 16-18, drew 128 participants from Albany FFA, Moran FFA and Shackelford County 4-H, down slightly from the past few years.
“We had a great show, very successful,” said Bronco Askew, president of the Shackelford Youth and Livestock Association, which presents the show each year. “I think the money from the premium sale is going to be really good, probably a record, more than last year. We haven’t got all the figures yet with the add-ons, but everything looks good.”
Once the finances have been confirmed, Askew said, exhibitors who sold animals will be issued checks, probably in early April.
“We’re going to have to set a cutoff date for the add-ons,” he said. “We’re going to try to get it in as quick as we can.”
Askew said renovations made to the county show barn over the last few years have helped improve conditions, leading to increased attendance.
A big reason for the show’s success, he said, were the contributions of volunteers and community members.
“The Albany Volunteer Fire Department needs to be commended for the work they did Wednesday on dust control,” Askew said. “We had to wet things down again with some hose to keep the dust down. Thursday night, it gets tough with dust stirring up during the weigh-in.”
Such help often comes from sources outside the show.
“It’s all people in general,” Askew said. “They love the kids in Albany and show them support. And not only Albany, but other towns around.”
Show organizers were able to conclude the sale and load out animals Saturday evening before an advancing cold front became an issue.
“About 5:15, we were heading to the house,” Askew said.
And with this year’s show done, it’s time to start planning for next year.
“We’ve already got notes on what to do,” Askew said. “In April, we’ll have our major meeting and that’ll be discussed.”
One subject already on the table is reviewing changes made this year to the bidding process. Bid increments were increased slightly for this year’s sale
“I don’t know if that’s the best way,” Askew said. “Hopefully, people understood when they started bidding.”
Championship Animals
Kenzie Neve and Madailein Beard took grand and reserve champion in two of the cattle divisions. Neve had the top two steers in addition to winning Senior Beef Showmanship. Beard showed the top two heifers.
Neve had a pair of Charolais crosses — Pedro and Alfredo — taking the top spot with the 1,285-pound Pedro. The steer is also entered in major shows. The 1,510-pound Alfredo was shown at the Arizona National and is Neve’s backup steer.
Beard won with her junior Angus heifer and took reserve with a senior horned Hereford. The Hereford is entered in all the major shows with the Angus entered in shows that allow multiple entries.
In Commercial Steers, Trevor Bellah’s pen of three scored 62.1 point to edge Riley Reames for the grand champion spot. Reames’ pen scored 61.5 points to take reserve champion.
In the Market Swine division, Colter Edgar took grand champion barrow with a light cross. Tatum Grady took reserve with a heavyweight dark cross.
Ben Russell had the grand champion gilt with a Hampshire, and Edgar claimed reserve champion with a Duroc.
In market lambs, Grace Fry won grand champion with a medium wool entry. Willa Early took reserve champion with a dorper lamb.
Tara Cauble showed the grand champion ewe with Cody Fry taking reserve. Both animals came out of medium wool classes and were also grand and reserve breed champions.
Cauble also had the grand champion meat goat with Early claiming another reserve banner. Both animals came out of class 16.
In doe goats, Maggie Spraberry won grand champion with Kamryn Graham taking reserve.
In the rabbit show, Charli Trail had the grand champion breeding buck with Kenzee Roysdon showing the reserve champion. Joshua Knight had the grand champion breeding doe with Mimi Ivy taking reserve champion. In market rabbits, grand champion went to Houston Whitney. Leia Rose took reserve champion.
Moran entries dominated the poultry division. James Hise had the grand champion pen with Brylee Stautzenberger showing the reserve champion.
Showmanship Awards
While Neve claimed the senior award for cattle, there were no juniors for the showmanship judging.
Grady was named senior swine showman with Paige Price taking the junior prize.
The Fry family swept the lamb showmanship awards with Grace earning the senior designation and Cody the junior.
Cauble added to her haul with the senior goat showmanship honor, while Spraberry was named junior winner.
Rabbit showmanship awards went to Charli Trail in the senior division and Madison Swert in the junior.
Moran entries claimed poultry showmanship honors with Rob Williams in the senior division and Emmie Hise in the junior.
Top Hand
Albany High School junior Ryan Turner was named the show’s Top Hand for his contributions outside the show ring.
“Ryan is an outstanding young man,” Askew said. “He goes and helps Chris Beard down at the FFA barn where they’ve redone a bunch of lights. You can send him to do something and consider it done.”
Askew said Turner continues a long tradition of students being willing to pitch in.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s picking up a boom or running an errand,” he said. “It’s about being ready to help, even if it’s beyond the call of a kid.”
