Skip to Main Content

Invest in Texas Kids

The Youth Auction is the grand finale to the Junior Livestock Show. Each year thousands of youngsters spend months working on their projects which they bring to Austin to show. The top placing exhibitors earn a coveted spot in the Youth Auction.

$2.7M
Amount Raised In 2023

An Investment in the Youth of Texas

At the Youth Auction, members of the community, businesses, family and friends support these deserving youth by “purchasing” their lot. The buyer does not take home an actual animal, but these funds go directly to the 4-H and FFA students so that they may save for college, invest in future livestock projects, start their own businesses or pursue other endeavors for their future.

 

A note from our Youth Auction Chair

I am excited and honored again this year to have been asked to chair the Youth Auction. I have been a vice chair on this committee since 2014 and have been blessed to be a part of a great team that, thanks to our great donors, volunteers, staff and leadership, has taken this sale over a million dollars and then over two million dollars.
Last year was our biggest year ever with more than $2.7 million dollars raised for the youth of Texas. We are committed as a team again this year to raise even more. We look at this as an opportunity to invest in the future leaders of our counties, state and nation. These young folks display character, hard work, dedication and great care, qualities we so desperately need in our communities.
Please join us in helping these great kids. You won’t believe how good it feels when a young person comes up with a big smile on their face, shakes your hand and says thank you. Thank you for your support of Rodeo Austin’s Youth Auction!

Russell Waters
Board of Directors
Youth Auction Chair

Making a Contribution

The Youth Auction Volunteer Committee works hard year round to solicit donations from philanthropic community leaders and local businesses to reward these hard working youth. Thank you to the Youth Auction leadership for embodying the spirit of Rodeo Austin and ensuring all exhibitors are rewarded for their efforts.

Donations: Contributions of any amount can be applied to a buyers group you choose to support, or an add on donation can be made to any individual exhibitor. Buyers group donations can be made anytime, and add on donations can be made just prior to and for a couple of weeks following the Youth Auction.

Buyers Groups and Individual Buyers: Donors may participate individually by attending the event and bidding as an individual buyer. This option is ideal for companies wishing to support youth. Buyers Groups solicit donations throughout the year and purchase under one Buyers Group name. This option is ideal for entities that represent a group of philanthropic minded individuals.

ADD-ONS

If you would like to add-on to an exhibitor’s project but cannot attend the Youth Auction, please select a species below and complete the purchase process by April 5.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Event details

The Youth Auction will be held at the Rodeo Austin fairgrounds inside the 100X Dance Hall on Saturday, March 23, 2024. The sale schedule is below. 444 exhibitors will sell their projects. Rodeo Austin will follow all health and safety guidelines for this event. We will continue to update this page with more details for exhibitors and buyers.

Schedule

March 23, 2024

8:45 a.m. – Opening Ceremony
9:00 a.m. – Poultry Auction (52 lots)
10:15 a.m. – Goat Auction (90 lots)
11:45 a.m. – Lamb Auction (88 lots)
1:15 p.m. – Steer Auction (100 lots)
3:00 p.m. – Art Auction (8 lots)
3:15 p.m. – Barrow Auction (114 lots)

All buyers should arrive to Gate 1 or 2 (7311 Decker Lane) and park as directed in the F parking lot.

About 4-H & FFA

Junior Livestock exhibitors qualifying to sell their project at the Youth Auction are members of 4-H and FFA. In addition to building the next generation of agriculturists, these programs emphasize skills and values like leadership, volunteerism and community. The process of caring for a livestock project from purchase to sale teaches these students life skills such as time management and responsibility. These key values help prepare the next generation of Texas for the future.

Learn more about 4-H and FFA livestock projects:
texasyouthlivestock.com/

girl smiling while showing her heifer in competition

To participate at Rodeo Austin, exhibitors must also complete a Quality Counts program. “Focused on quality assurance and character education, Quality Counts is designed to teach young people the importance of displaying good character in carrying out livestock projects, and in every aspect of their lives. Quality Counts helps youth exhibitors learn the importance of using proper livestock management practices so that food quality and safety are preserved.” Texas Quality Counts, Texas A&M University System

Learn more about Quality Counts:
https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/

Ultimate Scramble

Contribute to Texas youth who are unable to purchase an animal on their own.

LEARN MORE

SCHOLARSHIP & ENDOWMENT

Donate through scholarship and endowment programs to help support our mission

LEARN MORE