On Friday, the 17th annual Ranching & Wildlife Auction raised $530,250 for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ scholarships through its live and silent auctions.
Items auctioned off included a 2024 Polaris Sportsman, a Paloma Pachanga Dove Hunt, and a Sonoran Turquoise Squash Blossom Necklace. A Nilgai Hunt and Fishing Excursion at Saltillo Lodge donated by The King Ranch Inc. took home the top bid of the event raising $35,000. Other big-ticket items included a Cabo vacation house rental, donated by Greg Willbanks, and two 2025 John Deere Gators valued at $30,000 each from Shoppa’s Farm Supply.
“Most people who visit the Rodeo have the misconception that the Rodeo is only about kids raising animals,” said Josh Lack, member of the board of directors and captain of the Ranching and Wildlife H Calf Committee. “The auction is a great opportunity to broaden the scope of our audience being reached.”
Hosting the auction follows the Ranching & Wildlife committee’s mission is to support and serve 4-H and FFA youth contestants and foster a commitment to the future of Texas ranching and wildlife. The money raised from the auction is also used towards their youth competitions including their Young Guns Shooting Sports, Archery, Poster Board and Video Competitions.
“The most important thing is to try to get the younger generation back outdoors,” Lack said. “There are plenty of kids in our program that never raise an animal, but they are getting a different kind of experience that is just as important.”
In addition to the auction and youth competitions, the Ranching and Wildlife Committee promotes ranching, wildlife and conservation through other events. The committee hosts educational seminars relating to wildlife and agricultural topics.
“We are following the mission of RODEOHOUSTON™ and furthering agriculture education,” Cheyanne Price, first year Ranching and Wildlife H Calf Committee member. “People get disconnected from agriculture and we’re here to remind them that agriculture is what fuels the world.”
Live Auction Lot Results:
Lot 1: Nilgai Hunt and Fishing Excursion at Saltillo Lodge – $35,000
Lot 2: 2024 Polaris Sportsman – $10,000
Lot 3: Santa Fe Vacation and Samsville Shopping Spree – $16,000
Lot 4: Beretta 687 Shotgun – $17,000
Lot 5: Luxury Big Easy Condo – $8,500
Lot 6: Casa Del Secreto Vacation Rental, Playa Del Carmen – $21,000
Lot 7: 26KW Generac Generator – $19,000
Lot 8: Port O’Connor House Rental – $5,000
Lot 9: Sonoran Turquoise Squash Blossom Necklace – $18,500
Lot 10: Paloma Pachanga Dove Hunt – $18,000
Lot 11: (2) 2025 John Deere 845M Gator – $30,000
Lot 12: Rizzini 2201-1229 Over/Under 12 Gauge – $9,000
Lot 13: Brennan’s Kitchen Table Dinner – $12,000
Lot 14: Komatsu D61 Dozer Rental – $16,000
Lot 15: Albino Deer – $9,000
Lot 16: Cabo Vacation House Rental – $28,000
About the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo promotes agriculture by hosting an annual, family-friendly experience that educates and entertains the public, supports Texas youth, showcases Western heritage, and provides year-round educational support within the community. Since its beginning in 1932, the Rodeo has committed more than $630 million to the youth of Texas and education. The 2025 Rodeo is scheduled for March 4 – March 23. The 2025 World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, presented by Cotton Holdings, was scheduled for Feb. 27 – March 1. For more information, visit rodeohouston.com, download the RODEOHOUSTON app and follow @RODEOHOUSTON online via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for all the latest news.