Ringing the Bell for the Next Generation: Texas FFA Alum Modernizes Junior Livestock Shows, One Bid at a Time

Brent Graves, auctioneer and mentor, shares his journey supporting youth in agriculture, livestock competitions, and how he is turning junior livestock auctions into a classroom for youth in agriculture.

ffa iowa state fair livestock show_ farmher_IMG_3152 copy.jpg

FFA students participate in junior livestock shows at the Iowa State Fair.

FarmHER, Inc.

MIDLAND, Texas (RFD NEWS) — Brent Graves is more than an auctioneer. He is a mentor, leader, and advocate for youth in agriculture, known for his success in state and international competitions and for helping modernize junior livestock auctions through online platforms.

Graves joined us on Tuesday’s Market Day Report to share his story and discuss his continued work supporting young people in agriculture.

In his interview with RFD NEWS, Graves reflected on what first sparked his interest in auctioneering and how his time at Texas Tech helped shape his career path. He also looked ahead to the spring run of livestock auctions and stock shows, offering insight into what the upcoming season may hold.

He also discussed his experience serving as a Texas FFA state officer and how that role influenced his passion for agriculture and youth development. He emphasized that supporting young people who show livestock is a personal mission for him and remains important to the industry’s future.

To learn more, visit www.stockshowauctions.com.

Related Stories
Lori Stevermer with the National Pork Producers Council reacts to the USDA’s speedline proposal, the new Farm Bill’s fix for California’s Prop-12, and other policy developments impacting the pork industry.
South Texas farmers say water shortages continue despite Mexico’s renewed payments under the 1944 Water Treaty.
Bayer’s Monsanto announces $7.25B class settlement for Roundup™ lawsuits alleging Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), covering claims over 21 years.
Farmer Ed Bell shares how AGRAbility helped him return to his family’s strawberry farm and inspire resilience, legacy, and hope in rural life.
Weskan Grain CEO Will Bramblett discusses the antitrust lawsuit filed by grain farmers and agribusinesses, and its potential implications on rail competition and market access.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Iowa farmer Derek Hommer joined us to discuss grain bin safety, ongoing prevention efforts, and the importance of community preparedness during Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety Week.
Congresswoman Celeste Maloy of Utah joins Champions of Rural America to discuss her new leadership role in the Western Caucus and her perspective on the Supreme Court’s ruling on President Trump’s tariff policy.
National FFA Secretary Lilly Nyland talks about the significance of National FFA Week, member engagement, and the influence FFA continues to have on students nationwide.
Tommy Roach with Nachurs Alpine Solutions discuss fertilizer decision-making, plant fertility strategies, and what farmers can learn at Commodity Classic.
New details on the massive wildfire threatening farms and ranches in the Southern Plains.
Pre-filled Applications Available Online to Producers with a Login.gov Account
Rural Lifestyle & Entertainment Shows
“Green Acres” meets “Home Improvement” in this refreshing, informative unscripted lifestyle series depicting the hilarious adventures of a suburban family gone rural.
Richard “Red” Skelton, reigned as the virtual King of TV Variety Show Comedy throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Airing for a total of of 20 seasons, from 1951 through 1971, Red’s hilarious facial contortions and colorful cast of boneheaded personas – including indept Sheriff Deadeye, inebriated boxer Cauliflower McPugg, hillbilly Clem Kadiddlehopper, and hobo Freddie the Freeloader – kept a whole generation of Americans in stitches during the earliest decades of television. Memorable guest stars included John Wayne, Phyllis Diller, Mickey Rooney, Audrey Meadows, Michael Landon, and many more.
Washington farmers grow more than 300 different crops and raise a variety of different animals, and Washington is also home to some of the greatest culinary experiences in America. Whether inside the kitchen or out in the field, at the end of the day, it’s all about the food!
As a how-to show dedicated exclusively to trucks, 4x4s and SUVs, Truck U finds monster-truck expert Matt Steele and master mechanic Bruno Massel tackling hands-on projects from DIY maintenance on pickups and SUVs, to serious off-road performance upgrades on Jeeps and ATVs.
“Today’s Wild West” is a documentary-style, half-hour TV seres on all-things-Western: horseback adventures, cattle drives, dude ranches, Western art, artisans, music, movies, historic sites, Native American culture and more.