FORT WORTH, Texas — The 2024 Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo wrapped up this weekend, and the Grand Champion Steer sold for $340,000. 

What You Need To Know

  • The steer, named Leadfoot, was raised by 17-year-old Ellie Bezner from Dalhart, which is in the Texas Panhandle near both the New Mexico and Oklahoma borders

  • The highest bidder was Higginbotham, a Fort Worth-based insurance broker that is no stranger to the stock show. The company purchased last year’s Grand Champion Steer, Snoop Dogg, for $440,000, which set a record

  • The Reserve Grand Champion Steer, an American Crossbreed raised by Mattison Koepp from La Vernia FFA, sold for $230,000 to the Bass family and Sundance Square

  • Since 1985, the event has raised more than $100 million in contributions, educational grants, scholarships and auction proceeds for Texas 4-H and FFA members

The steer, named Leadfoot, was raised by 17-year-old Ellie Bezner from Dalhart, which is in the Texas Panhandle near both the New Mexico and Oklahoma borders. Leadfoot is a European Crossbreed

The highest bidder was Higginbotham, a Fort Worth-based insurance broker that is no stranger to the stock show. The company purchased last year’s Grand Champion Steer, Snoop Dogg, for $440,000, which set a record.

“Proud to support the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo and the scholarship fund supporting youth in agriculture,” the company said in a post on Facebook. “Thanks to Higginbotham's generous employees, through private contributions we have purchased the Grand Champion Steer, Leadfoot, a European cross breed steer belonging to 17-year-old Ellie Bezner of Dalhart in Dallam County.”

The Reserve Grand Champion Steer, an American Crossbreed raised by Mattison Koepp from La Vernia FFA, sold for $230,000 to the Bass family and Sundance Square. 

The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo has been going on for well over a century, starting in 1896. It is the oldest and largest public event in Fort Worth.

According to the event’s mission statement, the stock show is held to encourage “young people to pursue careers in livestock and agri-business through programs and incentives especially tailored to their interests.”

Since 1985, the event has raised more than $100 million in contributions, educational grants, scholarships and auction proceeds for Texas 4-H and FFA members.