About this event
The Sale of Champions is one day of the Erath County Junior Livestock Show, run by the Erath County Livestock Association at the ECLA Fairgrounds, 2389 FM 205, Stephenville.
Dates, deadlines and schedule
The most recent verified date is Saturday, January 11, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The assumption is that it recurs annually in early January; next dates are not posted. The Stephenville Chamber of Commerce lists no entry fees for the show.
Divisions or species
The premium auction at 4:30 PM closes the show. The source does not publish sale order or rules.
Getting there
The ECLA Fairgrounds are at 2389 FM 205, Stephenville, Texas. For questions, the Stephenville Chamber of Commerce phone is 254-965-5313.
Tips for exhibitors and families
- The auction starts at 4:30 PM, after the week of species days, so buyers and families can plan to arrive in the afternoon.
- The Chamber of Commerce runs a Buyers Pool that accepts donations for the Sale of Champions.
- The full week runs Sunday to Saturday, with the Sale of Champions auction on the final Saturday at 4:30 PM.
Official links
Texas County Junior Livestock Shows: The Essentials
A county junior livestock show is where Texas 4-H and FFA members exhibit market animals they have raised, usually in winter, and the best projects sell at a premium auction to local buyers. Exhibitors must be members of a Texas 4-H club or FFA chapter in good standing and work under a County Extension Agent or ag teacher. Age and grade limits are set by each county.
Validation and ownership
Most county shows require Texas 4-H/FFA livestock validation, when animals are ear-tagged, DNA-sampled and tied to the exhibitor, who signs the ethics policy. Typical validation is June for steers, October for lambs and goats and November for swine, but local deadlines win. Offering an animal for sale during the feeding period can make it ineligible for the remaining shows that season.
Sales and ID
Premium sales are run by each county, and many take add-on and sponsor support from local businesses. Animals must carry official ID under USDA and Texas Animal Health Commission rules. Quality Counts, the AgriLife online course, is expected by some shows. Selling a project at a major show makes it ineligible for later majors.
Read the full guide: Texas County Junior Livestock Shows: How They Work
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