Photos by Kayti Lackey
On January 8th, 9th and 10th, the San Saba County Young Farmers hosted the 94th Annual San Saba County Livestock Show and Sale. 4–H and FFA members from across the county gathered to show off their hard work with their livestock projects beginning with a poultry show on Thursday night.
The show opened at 6 p.m. on Thursday, January 8th, with a prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Then, nine poultry exhibitors along with 18 extra handlers entered the show ring with their broiler projects. Judge Dr. Steve Forsythe of Lampasas, Texas, was very impressed with the poultry show and our young exhibitors. After careful evaluation, he awarded Lynlee Smith with the honor of Grand Champion Broilers for her third year in a row. A rotating trophy in honor of Marjorie and Myles McDowell was presented to our grand champion winner. Due to this being Lynlee’s third time winning this trophy, she now gets to retire the trophy to keep. First time showman, Audrey Wojhan, received Reserve Grand Champion Broilers. Mandy Fry was awarded the high honor of broiler showmanship.
Early Friday morning, the showbarn was bustling with activity as students were preparing for a long day of showing their animals. At 9 a.m. announcer Micah Trull led the crowd in prayer and the Pledges of Allegiance, and then the steer show began. The steers were very well represented by only three showmen. Ms. Tynlea Wilson along with her father Mr. Cade Wilson stepped in as last-minute judges when the originally scheduled judge was not able to make it on Friday. San Saba High Junior Jack Stewardson won Grand Champion Steer and the Stewardson Memorial rotating trophy, and Jack also received Reserve Grand Champion Steer.
Next, the cattle show continued with the heifers. Again, small numbers did not sacrifice quality. Jace Stewardson was our Grand Champion receiving the Lorena Terry Memorial rotating trophy, and 3rd grader Brantley Shannon received the Reserve Grand Champion banner and buckle with his heifer. Brantley Shannon then received Jr. Cattle Showmanship, Jack Stewardson received Sr. Cattle Showmanship, and young Keaton Shannon received the San Saba County PeeWee Cattle Showmanship banner.
Soon after the cattle show, the swine entered the ring. After several great classes of market swine, Judge Tynlea Wilson congratulated Brantley Shannon naming him Grand Champion and Jack Stewardson Reserve Grand Champion of the swine division. Brantley was presented with the Jackie Osbourn Memorial rotating trophy. Jace Stewardson was the Junior Swine Showmanship Champion, Jack Stewardson was named Sr. Swine Showmanship, and Zoe Poe received PeeWee Showmanship.
The afternoon began with an extremely competitive market lamb show. Our judges commented on the exceptional quality of many of the lambs, and they have high expectations for these animals and exhibitors down the road. Bryli Edmondson walked away with top honors for her Grand Champion Lamb receiving the Madia Wynn Lusty Memorial rotating trophy, and Taylor Wise was named Reserve Grand Champion Lamb. The showmanship competition was very tough on each level. Lynlee Smith was named Junior Lamb Showmanship Champion, and Taylor Wise was the Senior Lamb Showmanship Champ. Our PeeWee division showmanship winner for the second year in a row was Wiley McKneely.
Next up was the Market Goat Show. Four competitive classes led to a quality championship drive. Once again, Bryli Edmondson received the Grand Champion Goat honors and the Johnnie Oswald Memorial rotating trophy. First time showman Carolina Broyles received the Reserve Grand Champion Market Goat buckle and banner.
The day wrapped up with San Saba County’s first ever breeding doe goat show. The show was broken into two classes based on the goat ages. Ms. Clara Murray exhibited both the Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Breeding Doe and was presented with the memorial Patience Shanklin rotating trophy. Clara was also awarded with the Junior Goat Showmanship award. Bryli Edmondson won Senior Goat Showmanship, and Dedmon Broyles took home the PeeWee Goat Showmanship Banner.
Saturday, January 10th, at the San Saba Civic Center, all of the youth exhibitors from the stock show greeted and served dinner to potential buyers for the premium sale. The San Saba County Young Farmers, youth exhibitors, and families are extremely grateful to the local businesses and families that came out to support the future of agriculture at the sale. In a tight economy, every bit is greatly appreciated, and these kids could not do these projects without this support. Thank you also to the buyers club members that donated in any way. We hope to have your continued support and look forward to seeing everyone at the 2027 show and sale.