Denver, CO — 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 8 animals, including the Grand Champion Market Steer, topping out at $320,000. The top 8 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% 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 years old from Ree Heights, S.D., her Grand Champion Steer sold for 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 NWSS. Cannon was also awarded the Nick Reinmann Memorial Trophy in honor of her father who passed away in a plane crash in 2014. This was Cannon’s first time in the auction. She wants to attend Kansas State and become a Physican’s Assistant, just like her mom.
Reserve Grand Champion Steer
Reserve Grand Champion Steer, Mile High, was shown by 15-year-old Hadlie Bell from Bristow, OK. Mile High sold for $125,000 to Ames Construction Company, to tie the record. This was Hadlie’s first time in the Auction, and she wants to attend Oklahoma State to study Ag Business. She enjoys livestock judging and FFA public speaking.
Grand Champion Hog
16-year-old Maria Frasch, of Attica, IN, 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, CO, 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, from Elk City, OK, exhibited Kiss, her Grand Champion Market Lamb. Kiss sold for a record-breaking $55,000 to TKM Foundation, Audra & Sean McNicholas. Born into a family deeply tied to livestock, she values competing with her sisters and spending time with the livestock community. As a Canute High School student, she plans to study animal science in college and continue raising show lambs.
Reserve Grand Champion Lamb
16-year-old Delainee Moore, of Canute, OK, exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb, Willy, named for the breeder, Williams. Willy was sold for $50,000 to APC Resources; a new record. Delainee began showing livestock at age nine 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
Not only did Sayde Allen show the Grand Champion Lamb, but she also showed the Grand Champion Goat this year. Sayde 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 8 times in the Auction of Junior Livestock Champions.
Reserve Grand Champion Goat
Shown by Dayton Mortvedt, 15, of Lynnville, IA, Bonsai, the Reserve Grand Champion Goat sold for $32,500, a new record, to Bruce & Bev Wagner. Dayton’s favorite part of his experience is getting to show in both the historic Stadium Arena and the brand-new Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Livestock Center. This was Dayton’s fourth time showing in the auction.
