National Western Stock Show hits top 10 in attendance, 2nd highest livestock sales in history
The 2024 National Western Stock Show rode off into the sunset Sunday after a 16-day run.
It brought 671,467 visitors to Denver and sold $1,374,000 worth of livestock during the Junior Livestock Champions auction — the second-highest sale total in show history.
The economic benefits to Denver and Colorado from the thousands of competitors and visitors are enormous, according the Commons Sense Institute, a non-partisan research organization dedicated to the protection and promotion of Colorado’s economy.
“The National Western Stock Show is a crown jewel for Denver and the entire state for many reasons – from education to the economy. In 2023 alone, the Stock Show generated $171 million impact on our economy. With the construction of new facilities at the site, we expect those numbers to grow,” said Kelly Caufield, CSI’s executive director, in a news release.
The 2006 100th Anniversary show still holds the attendance record of 726,972 visitors.
“We have been fortunate to see record-breaking attendance year over year,” said Paul Andrews, president & CEO of the National Western Stock Show. “Every guest that comes through our gates is a valued part of our Stock Show family, and we appreciate every single one of those who came out this year.”
The three most important funding events for the National Western Scholarship Trust are the Citizens of the West dinner, the Coors Western Art Exhibit & Sale, and the Auction of Junior Livestock Champions, which happened Friday.
The 2024 National Western Stock Show Grand Champion Steer, enters the arena led by his owner, 13-year-old Croix Reimann of Ree Heights, South Dakota on Jan. 19, 2024 in Denver. The steer named Frosty sold for $185,000 to Ames Construction Company. Croix describes Frosty as a gentle giant with incredible ear hair. From a very young age, Croix was interested in showing cattle and convinced his parents to let him show a steer at the National Western this year. Croix will take home $166,500 and 10% of the winning bid goes to support the National Western Scholarship Trust.
Ten percent of the Junior Livestock Champions winning auction bids go towards the National Western Scholarship Trust. The remainder of each sale goes home with the winners, though their prize-winning animals do not.
Jennifer Boka, director of Livestock Operations was careful to point out in an interview with The Denver Gazette that the purpose of the junior market livestock championship is to provide funding to help young people be successful in agriculture, and to harvest protein for the human food chain.
The big winner at the auction was Grand Champion steer Frosty, shown by 13-year-old Croix Reimann of Ree Heights, South Dakota.
Frosty sold for $185,000 to Ames Construction Company.
Reimann described Frosty as a gentle giant with incredible ear hair. From a very young age, he was interested in showing cattle and convinced his parents to let him show a steer at the National Western this year.
Reimann will take home $166,500 and 10% of the winning bid goes to support the National Western Scholarship Trust.
“The Grand Champion steer is a steer that has been slated his entire life to be a market animal,” said Boka. “They provide beef, pork, lamb, and goat protein, and go right into the food chain to provide nutrition.”
“These three events fund 120 scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $15,000 per student,” said Andrews. “We are incredibly grateful to all the supporters who contribute to these events. They are directly funding the future of agriculture by helping students studying in the fields of agriculture and rural medicine.”
The National Western also showcases products and services from more than 300 retail vendors on the grounds. The show has been a top venue for everything cowboy, and much more, for decades.
Everything from boots, saddles and hats to jewelry, farm and ranch products to trucks and tractors were on display and for sale.
Andrews attributes the success of the Stock Show “to the dedication and hard work of hundreds of volunteers and staff, the support of the City of Denver, the WSSA Board of Directors, sponsor partners, and the livestock, horse, and rodeo committees.”
The 119th National Western Stock Show is Jan. 11-26, 2025.
The National Western Stock Show Reserve Grand Champion Steer, named Bear and exhibited by 14-year-old Mason Shalla of Riverside, IA, was purchased at auction by Transwest Trucks, Inc. for $100,000 at the Junior Grand Champion livestock auction on Jan. 19, 2024.
Shalla will take home $90,000, with 10% of the bid going to support the National Western Scholarship Trust.
This is Shalla’s second time showing at the NWSS. In 2023 he won 3rd place at the NWSS prospect show.
Shalla is looking forward to college and returning home to his family farming operation.
Ringmen Matt Lewis (left) and Troy Applehans look for bids at the 2024 National Western Stock Show Grand Champion Steer auction.
In the background, handled by his owner, 13-year-old Croix Reimann of Ree Heights, South Dakota, the 2024 National Western Stock Show Grand Champion Steer named Frosty is on display for buyers on Jan. 19, 2024 in Denver. The steer sold for $185,000 to Ames Construction Company.
The National Western Stock Show Reserve Grand Champion Steer, named Bear and exhibited by 14-year-old Mason Shalla of Riverside, IA, was purchased at auction by Transwest Trucks, Inc. for $100,000 at the Junior Grand Champion livestock auction on Jan. 19, 2024. Shalla will take home $90,000, with 10% of the bid going to support the National Western Scholarship Trust. This is Shalla’s second time showing at the NWSS. In 2023 he won 3rd place at the NWSS prospect show. Shalla is looking forward to college and returning home to his family farming operation.
Ringmen Matt Lewis (left) and Troy Applehans look for bids at the 2024 National Western Stock Show Grand Champion Steer auction.
In the background, handled by his owner, 13-year-old Croix Reimann of Ree Heights, South Dakota, the 2024 National Western Stock Show Grand Champion Steer named Frosty is on display for buyers on Jan. 19, 2024 in Denver. The steer sold for $185,000 to Ames Construction Company.
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Bidders and attendees at the National Western Stock Show Junior Grand Champion livestock auction in the Cow Palace auction arena in Denver on Jan. 19, 2024.
Kinley Pruett, 13, of Elk City, Oklahoma, looks at her lamb Colby {span}at the Grand Champion livestock auction at the {span}2024 National Western Stock Show in Denver Jan. 10, 2024.{/span}{/span} {span}{span}{span}Colby, the NWSS 2024 Grand Champion sold for $52,000 to APC Resources.{/span}{/span}{/span} Kinley plans to study animal science and become a veterinarian.