It was a packed house for the 2026 Auction of Junior Livestock Champions, presented by Farm Credit in the new CoBank Auction Arena inside the Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Livestock Center. The standing-room-only crowd drove bidders to set five new records across the top eight animals, including the Grand Champion Market Steer, topping out at $320,000.
The top eight champion animals collectively sold for a new record of $822,500, besting the old record by $185,000. Buyers gathered to show their tremendous support of youth exhibitors, the future leaders of agriculture. The private event aired live on 9NEWS and 9news.com, highlighting the top junior market animals from this year’s National Western Stock Show.
Each year, thousands of junior market animals compete, with only 108 advancing to this year’s auction as the highest-placing entries. The auction is the final sale for these champions, with proceeds directly benefit the junior exhibitors. A majority of each winning bid goes to the young exhibitor who raised the animal, while 10 percent of each sale supports the National Western Scholarship Trust, which helps fund education in agriculture and related fields.
Grand Champion Steer
Exhibited by Cannon Reinmann, 13, of Ree Heights, S.D., her Grand Champion Steer sold for a record-breaking $320,000 to Bank of Colorado, smashing the old record of $210,000 set in 2025. Her steer’s name is Boots, because he has black legs with white “boots.” Hutchison Western led the way with the opening bid of $120,000 in honor of the 120th anniversary of the National Western Stock Show. Cannon was also awarded the Nick Reinmann Memorial Trophy in honor of her father, who died in a plane crash in 2014. This was Cannon’s first time in the auction. She wants to attend Kansas State and become a physician assistant, like her mom.
Reserve Grand Champion Steer
Reserve Grand Champion Steer Mile High was shown by Hadlie Bell, 15, of Bristow, Okla. Mile High sold for $125,000 to Ames Construction Company, tying the record. This was Hadlie’s first time in the auction, and she wants to attend Oklahoma State to study agricultural business. She enjoys livestock judging and FFA public speaking.
Grand Champion Hog
Maria Frasch, 16, of Attica, Ind., raised the Grand Champion Market Hog Lafayette, which sold for $85,000 to Oxy. Maria began showing with her dad and enjoys showmanship. She attends Seeger High School and plans to study agricultural law while running cross country and track in college.
Reserve Grand Champion Hog
The crowd cheered on Colorado local Bailey Stromberger of Iliff, Colo., driving the bid to a record $120,000 for her Reserve Grand Champion Market Hog Bennie, which sold to Transwest Trucks Inc., owned by George Eidsness, National Western’s current Citizen of the West. Her sister, Allie Stromberger, holds the current record for Grand Champion Hog, which sold for $100,000 in 2020. Bailey shows hogs with her sisters and values the handshake that comes with a big win. She attends Caliche High School and will pursue a career in agriculture.
Grand Champion Lamb
Sayde Allen, 16, of Elk City, Okla., exhibited Kiss, her Grand Champion Market Lamb. Kiss sold for a record-breaking $55,000 to TKM Foundation, Audra and Sean McNicholas. Born into a family deeply tied to livestock, she values competing with her sisters and spending time in the livestock community. A Canute High School student, she plans to study animal science in college and continue raising show lambs.
Reserve Grand Champion Lamb
Delainee Moore, 16, of Canute, Okla., exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb Willy, named for the breeder, Williams. Willy sold for $50,000 to APC Resources, a new record. Delainee began showing livestock at age 9 after being inspired by her grandpa, Larry. She attends Canute Public Schools and plans to attend college to pursue a career in nursing.
Grand Champion Goat
Sayde Allen also showed the Grand Champion Goat this year. She claimed Grand Champion Market Goat honors with her goat Pi, which sold for $35,000 to Babson Farms. Sayde has been involved in showing since birth and has sold a champion or reserve champion eight times in the Auction of Junior Livestock Champions.
Reserve Grand Champion Goat
Dayton Mortvedt, 15, of Lynnville, Iowa, showed Bonsai, the Reserve Grand Champion Goat, which sold for $32,500 — a new record — to Bruce and Bev Wagner. Dayton’s favorite part of the experience is getting to show in both the historic Stadium Arena and the new Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Livestock Center. This was Dayton’s fourth time showing in the auction.
