STATE FAIRGROUNDS, Miss. – This year, 1,269 4-H and FFA members from across Mississippi participated in the Dixie National Junior Round-Up Livestock Shows, exhibiting 1,941 head of livestock. These students competed for the opportunity to participate in the 56th annual Sale of Junior Champions. The Sale of Junior Champions, one of the highlight events of the Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo, is an auction where livestock exhibitors winning Champion and Reserve Champion in the Junior Round-Up Market Divisions sell their prizewinning animals and where scholarships are awarded.
“Our 4-H and FFA livestock shows are the best workforce and leadership development program in the State of Mississippi,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson. “When it comes to workforce development, we don’t have to reinvent the wheel. To find hard workers that are committed to developing their education and their careers and lives here in Mississippi, just come to the livestock shows, and especially the Sale of Junior Champions. These students know the value of hard work, and just as important, they are not deterred by hard work. The Sale of Champions would not be possible without the support of our partners, Mississippi State University Extension Service and Mississippi FFA, who conduct and manage the livestock shows. I appreciate their dedication and their investment in our young people. Congratulations to everyone on another record year!”
During the Sale of Junior Champions, several student members of the Montgomery County 4-H were recognized for their achievements. Hannah Hayes Ware, Reserve Grand Champion of the Mississippi Bred Division 3 Market Lamb Show and Reserve Champion of the Division 2 Market Lamb Show; Hayes Henderson, Grand Champion of the Division 3 Market Lamb Show and Reserve Grand Champion of the Division 3 Market Lamb Show; and Mary-Hayden and Paxton Blaylock, Grand Champions of the Mississippi Bred Division 2 Market Lamb Show, all participated in this year’s sale.
The 2025 Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions marked a significant milestone as total sales over the event’s 56-year history passed $10 million. Kelly Tucker, chairwoman of the Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions Promotion Committee, emphasized the impact that livestock shows have on the youth. “Participating in the livestock shows and projects teaches our young people essential skills such as how to think critically to solve problems, to work as a team, to communicate effectively, to make ethical decisions and how to win and lose with respect. Youth are vital to our state and country’s future and supporting them at the Sale of Champions helps them to achieve their goals and aspirations,” said Tucker.
The final Sale of Junior Champions featured 49 champion market animals, including pigs, sheep, cattle and goats. The 2025 sale total was $591,287, breaking last year’s record of $484,010. In addition, scholarships were awarded to 41 Mississippi 4-H and FFA youth participants of the Dixie National Junior Round-Up Livestock Shows.
Photos special to The Times/Conservative
