BEAUMONT, Texas — Students wrangled their animals into the YMBL South Texas State Fair on Thursday.
The aggies put in years of work to show off their animals at the Junior Livestock and Poultry Auction.
Students from elementary to high school competed for best in show and hundreds of buyers showed up to the live auction to bid on cattle, pigs and even rabbits.
The money raised will go back into funding the future of Southeast Texas and help set the young farmers up for success.
Not only did auctioneer Randolph Holford attend the event for his talent, but he wanted to support future farmers.
"Every once in a while a young man or a young woman will come through the ring somewhere and, and turn around and say I'm going to Texas Tech," said Holford. "And we're paying a lot of it off [with] money you helped me raise."
Holford is dedicated to helping future farmers.
"I step back for a second and say, 'wow I really did that.'," he said.
Silsbee High School sophomore Kylee Champagne has been in AG for eight years. She has balanced long hours of school and work to raise her prize steer named Dog.
Dog is the reserve champion steer at this year's junior auction.
"I make sure I do everything to perfect him," said Champagne. "Get the little critiques and everything."
Kylee's hard work has paid off. Dog was sold for $42,000 at the auction.
She plans to use the money to continue what she has started and follow in her mother's footsteps.
"It really became a lifestyle," said Kylee. "It's not an easy thing, you've really got to work for it."
Her mother, Courtney Champagne has been an AG teacher for over 10 years and she knows how important this auction is for her daughter and students.
"They can buy another project, they can make it a scholarship," said Courtney. "That money helps them with their future."
Many people were wondering about why this kind of money is spent on livestock.
Buyer Nick Ferraco answered that question.
"This is one of many parts we give back to," said Ferraco. "It's a good opportunity for everyone to get together and celebrate the hard work of students."
The next junior auction is scheduled to take place in a year, but Randolph Holford urges people to mark their calendars now because the future of Southeast Texas AG youth depends on it.
"Support the youth of your community," said Holford.
For a full breakdown of the auction, you can visit The YMBL website here.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.