2023 Maverick County Junior Livestock Show & Sale Enjoys Great Success
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2023
The 2023 Maverick County Junior Livestock Show and Sale (MCJLS) enjoyed great success in educating local 4-H and FFA members about agriculture, livestock, responsibility, leadership, and self-esteem, announced Roberto Martinez, President of the Maverick County Junior Livestock Show Association.
The 2023 MCJLS concluded with the Auction Sale of all of the animals exhibited at this year’s show on Saturday, January 21, 2023, under the leadership of Auctioneer Oscar San Miguel, raising over $450,000 in total sales.
The Auction Sale kicked-off with the bidding for the Grand Champion Market Steer exhibited by Isabela De La Garza, who named her 1,399 pound steer “Panda,” and was purchased by none other than last year’s top buyer, Minit’s Convenience Stores owned by the Neutze Family of Uvalde, Texas, for $5,500.
The Grand Champion Hog exhibited by Gabriella Galvan sold for $5,100 and was purchased by Ancira Ford of Eagle Pass while the Grand Champion Goat exhibited by Javier Molina sold for $5,600 and was purchased by Morris and Dora Libson of Eagle Pass and a string of Libson Family businesses.
The Auction Sale continued with the Reserve Grand Champions, starting with the Reserve Grand Champion Market Steer exhibited by Janel Ramos and was purchased by Minit’s Convenience Stores of Uvalde, Texas; the Reserve Grand Champion Hog exhibited by Ximena Castillo sold for $5,000 and was purchased by Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center; the Reserve Grand Champion Goat exhibited by Kael Ruiz sold for $6,000 and was purchased by the Ramos Law Firm of Eagle Pass and two other law firms; and the Reserve Grand Champion Lamb exhibited by Felix Samaniego sold for $6,400 and was purchased by H. E. B.
Auctioneer Oscar San Miguel crooned non-stopped for almost six hours until all 177 show animals were sold at the auction sale on Saturday, January 23, 2023.
“We like to thank all the local and out of town buyers who purchased one or more animals this year and made the 2023 MCJLS Sale such a great success for our exhibitors and show,” said Martinez. “In addition, I like to thank the MCJLS Board of Directors and all of our volunteers who donated their time, energy, and patience in smoothly operating the 2023 MCJLS and Sale,” Martinez, added. “We all do it for the benefit and education of our Maverick County 4-H and FFA members,” Martinez said.
“Many local businesses and individuals donated beautiful belt buckles to be awarded to each Grand Champion, Reserve Grand Champion, and Division Champion Market Steers, Swine, Lambs, Goats, Rabbits, and Broilers,” Martinez noted. “The exhibitors loved their champion belt buckles presented to them,” Martinez added.
The MCJLS Association Board of Directors include Roberto Martinez, President; Vice-President Armando De La Cruz; Secretary Dora Barfield; Treasurer Luis Rodriguez; Board Members Alex Flores, Fidencio Ruiz, and Robert J. Martinez; Past President Tim Hardt; Past Secretary Rosie Willars; Past Treasurer David Rodriguez; Auctioneer Oscar San Miguel; Steer Judge John Lanier; Steer Hog Classifier Brandon Fizer; Hog Judge Clayton Schram; Lamb and Goat Judge Todd Swift; and Rabbit and Poultry Judge Richard Griffin.
The 2023 MCJLS was dedicated to Morris and Dora Libson of Eagle Pass for their extraordinary dedication and support of the MCJLS for many years.
A special recognition was presented to MCJLS Co-Founder Zan Matthies, now happily retired in Fort Stockton, Texas, for his dedication and promotion of Maverick County 4-H and FFA members and teaching agriculture science in the Eagle Pass Independent School District for many years before retiring.
