Judges selected the champion broilers and turkeys Friday at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ Junior Market Poultry Show.
Exhibitor Barney Kelley from Texas City, Texas, claimed the title of Grand Champion Pen of Broilers with his pen of cockerels. This was Kelley’s first and only year showing. After graduating from high school in May, he plans to attend Stephen F. Austin State University.
“This was all I wanted for the past year,” Kelley said. “We put a lot of work in the last six weeks for this very moment right here.”
Kelsey Johnson from New Waverly, Texas, earned the title of Grand Champion Junior Market Turkey. Johnson plans to attend Texas A&M University where she will major in animal science and poultry science.
“Time management is a really big part of all livestock projects,” Johnson said. “The first thing I do is go to the barn in the morning.”
Ella Porter from Montgomery, Texas, won Reserve Grand Champion Pen of Broilers with her pen of pullets. Despite qualifying for the grand drive three years, this was the first time she has taken home a trophy.
“This [grand drive] was absolutely the cherry on top,” Porter said. “My sisters and I have worked super hard around the clock.”
Stetson McKinley from Montgomery, Texas, claimed the Reserve Grand Champion Turkey title. McKinley has been showing livestock for five years and is no stranger to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo show ring.
“Showing turkeys is harder than people think,” McKinley said. “Words can’t describe [what it means] being the Reserve Grand Champion.”
The champions will head to the NRG Arena Saturday, March 15 at 11 a.m., for the Junior Market Poultry Auction.