Walter Gerlach Livestock Show

 
The Walter Gerlach Livestock Show and Sale is a non-profit organization that supports youth in agriculture. The Walter Gerlach Livestock Show (WGLS) provides an opportunity for FFA and 4-H students in the Northside Independent School District, to learn about production agriculture. The students in these programs raise and care for their animals for 4-9 months throughout the year. Both of these outstanding programs teach students great life skills. Students learn about responsibility, money management, and a strong American work ethic. Over 90% of these students attend college after high school graduation.
 

 

 
The development of the WGLS began in 1973. Charles Vickery, John Marshall Agriculture Department Chairman, organized supporters in the mission to provide a local stock show and sale. Over 100 Booster Club members and FFA students built what is now the Walter Gerlach show ground. From these humble beginnings, the first show sale totaled $43,367.00. In 2008 total sales were over $604,000! To date the WGLS has provided over $7 million dollars to students. Due to the hard work and generosity of the business community, the WGLS is one of the largest scholarship programs in the county. Each exhibitor that places their animals in the show is allowed to sell that animal in the auction. Each year an average of 300 to 350 students sell their animals in the sale. The money donated throughout the auction goes to the students and is tax deductible.
 

Frequently Asked Questions
When?
The Auction is held on the last Saturday of January each year.
 
Where?
The Walter Gerlach Livestock Show Barn is located 3.2 miles north of 1604 on Babcock Road.
 
What is the investment required to be a buyer?
Buyers can purchase animals alone or they may pool their monies with other buyers.  Individual buyers spend from 500.00 to as much as 10,000.  To be a registered buyer in the auction ring, a buyer must be willing to spend at least 500.00.  Those individuals or businesses that wish to donate less may do so by making a pledge contribution to the WGLS Auction Committee.  The Auction Committee uses this money to purchase animals throughout the sale.  The Auction Committee can act as a purchasing agent for buyers that are unable to attend the day of the sale.
How much will an animal cost?
Animal Sale Price* Resale Value** Your Donation
Steer $1,250 $750 $500
Swine $600 $100 $500
Sheep $600 $100 $500
Goats $500 $75 $500
Poultry $300 None $500
Rabits $300 None $300
*Estimates only
**Stockyard resale prices fluctuate from year to year
 
What do I do with the animal(s) that I buy?
a. Resale for current stockyard prices and apply that credit to your account. (See resale value in the previous chart, stockyard prices fluctuate from year to year.)
 
b. Have the animal processed and put it in your freezer.
 
c. Donate the resale price back to the student exhibitor or to the Stock Show Scholarship Fund.

2008 Gerlach Schedule and Rules

 

For more information:

Mailing Address:

Greater NW Ag. Boosters

P.O. Box 781, Helotes, Texas

78023-0781