A digital first: Rodeo livestock auction is set to go online
When officials canceled the 2020 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, area students wondered what would become of the $8.3 million committed to junior exhibitors as part of HLSR’s 2020 educational fund.
“It hurts, it hurts a lot,” said Jenna Lloyd as she prepared to leave the rodeo after the cancellation. “I’ve put so much hard work and time into my heifer. I’ve been doing this for nine years now, and this is the worst way to leave senior year.”
Mayor Sylvester Turner made the decision to close the rodeo March 11 amid concerns about COVID-19. “How do we handle the funds that have been raised through the remaining auctions … we have no idea who would have won,” rodeo president and CEO Joel Cowley said at the time.
Now, a plan to support those junior exhibitors is taking shape: The livestock auctions are going digital.
Over the weekend, HLSR officials announced that entry fees will be refunded for livestock and horse show exhibitors who were unable to compete. Additionally, both the rodeo and individual auction committees are working on “an online auction in place of the planned junior auctions.”
The steer auction committee intends to split proceeds from its annual auction, which raised $6.3 million last year, evenly among the 2,500-plus junior exhibitors. Once details of the digital steer auction are finalized, buyers in the market for sixfigure beef will have an opportunity to bid on the Grand Champion Steer, Reserve Grand Champion and Champion Angus, and more .
Online auctions for other committees, like swine and poultry, are still in the planning phases. Exhibitors who competed in the school art, lamb and goat competitions will be paid their guaranteed premiums in addition to any online auction winnings.
Which is all good news for junior exhibitors, though HLSR organizers want to be clear: The move to digital is still a work in progress.
Back in October, the rodeo announced a $27 million educational commitment for 2020. More than $14.2 million would be awarded through nine scholarship programs, providing $20,000 scholarships for 710 local high school students. Another $3.7 million was set aside for educational program grants, and $650,000 for graduate assistantship programs.
This left $8.3 million for junior show exhibitors, many of whom spent their own money and countless hours caring for their animals, in hopes of claiming some of the winnings.
After the rodeo was canceled, Cowley said “due to the foresight of our executive committee, we are in a position to honor and fulfill our annual contribution and commitment to youth education.”
This year’s scholarship banquet and check presentation ceremony will continue as planned on July 23 at NRG Center.
Brittany Rader, a spokeswoman for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, said that details for the junior exhibitor online auctions will be announced shortly. There is also a dedicated webpage where individuals can donate to junior exhibitors.