The Junior Market Poultry Auction was marked by generations of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ Champions, rookies to the show ring, and record-breaking sales.
Donors gathered to help Texas youth pursue their dreams at the 2026 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Junior Market Poultry Auction on Saturday. The sale emphasizes the significant support donors provide for the educational futures of Texas youth.
“Seeing the kids and all their projects gives me the hope that the future is very bright in Texas agriculture,” said Jimmy Verbois, chairman of the Poultry Auction Committee.
Bree Dooley of Fayette County 4-H raised the Grand Champion Pen of Broilers that sold for a new rodeo record of $432,000. Her father, Todd Dooley won Grand Champion with his pen of broilers in 1994 – making her a second-generation Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Junior Market Broilers Grand Champion. The highest bid went to donors J Alan Kent Development – Julie and Alan Kent; Billy Parker; Becky and Kelly Joy; and Sheri and Rob Walker.
“See this young lady, this is what it’s all about,” donor, Alan Kent, said, emphasizing that the future of America is bright because of the hard-working youth who are committed to their livestock.
The Junior Market Poultry Auction had another Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo generational grand champion. Garrett Carr of Lake Creek FFA raised the Grand Champion Turkey which sold for a rodeo record of $316,000. The winning bid went to Fatemah and Roger Camp; Patsy and Wayne Turner; and Gregory N. Miller.
“It’s for the kids and it’s for the future,” Roger Camp said. “It’s a blessing to be a part of it, and we’re grateful to everyone here for what they give because we are helping change lives.”
In her first year of showing broilers, Khloe Leasure of Washington County 4-H raised the Reserve Grand Champion Pen of Broilers which sold for a new rodeo record of $250,000.
The winning donor group included Mach Industrial Group – Kathleen and Tom Mach; Christine and Micheal McWilliams; Higginbotham and Associates – Dudley Ray and Mark Lee; and Andrea Bryant.
Paisley Burkholder of Kendall County 4‑H sold her Reserve Grand Champion Turkey for $175,000. The donor group included Dr. Hanna Lindskog and Jonathan Rhoads; Joshua Harrison; Holly and John Knudsen IV; and Lauren and Darrell Palmer.
“What a great day for the United States, and a special day for Texas,” Darrell Palmer said. “Education is very important and we wouldn’t be here without it.”
2026 Junior Market Poultry Champion Auction Overview
- Grand Champion Pen of Broilers
- 2026 – $432,000
- 2025 – $301,000
- Grand Champion Turkey
- 2025 – $315,000
- 2026 – $316,000
- Reserve Grand Champion Pen of Broilers
- 2025 – $225,000
- 2026 – $250,000
- Reserve Grand Champion Turkey
- 2025 – $220,000
- 2026 – $175,000