THE GRAND DADDY OF 'EM ALL! The National Western Stock Show 

The atmosphere is undescribable.  Upon arrival in Denver, our oldest said, "Man I've got butterflies in my stomach!"

Held in the historic Denver Union Stockyards, more than 15,000 head of livestock step foot on the grounds each year.    

The pep talk before entering the show ring.

 

That's Tess. I think she had butterflies in her stomach too. She likes to have her picture taken (Seriously!) and yes that's a cast on his left arm.  He got in a fight with a feed sack and the feed sack won on Christmas Eve.

What a great time to see old friends and meet new ones! From as far as Canada.

We had a good first year at Denver. Division Champion Bull, Reserve Division Champion Bull, and 3rd in class with Tess.

Once we got home it was awesome to hear the boys' great grandfather tell of his time spent at NWSS - 23 years straight!  He met many new friends, some of which he is still in contact with today.

DECISIONS

For Christmas Break would you rather go Snow Skiing in Colorado or to a Stock Show in Phoenix, AZ? http://www.anls.org/



3 days of packing ....



Look out Phoenix here we come!

Stall area before, during and after.

 

WASH AND DRY 8 HEAD!



SHOW DAY! and everyone is hoping for the same thing........



  for one of these!! Congrats boys!

Yes that was the question of the year. We left the day after Christmas, drove 970 miles, enjoyed the awesome weather of Phoenix and spent New Year's Eve on I40 somewhere between Phoenix and home.  We asked the boys on the way home if they would have rather went snow skiing and they said, "No Way!" we feel the same.  Next show is Denver, CO and no we won't be for snow skiing.  The boys will be showing at the http://www.nationalwestern.com/   We've been for the past 3 years to watch, but this will be the first year they will be showing! 

Eat Beef, Keep Slim, Garden City, KS

Eat Beef, Keep Slim, Garden City, KS, a photo by Robby Virus on Flickr.

Bring the best robe and put it on him.  Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  Bring the fattened calf and kill it.  Let's have a feast and celebrate. Luke 15:22-23



The boys are members of the Oklahoma Junior Cattlemen's Association (OJCA) and through this organization as a member you can enter various contests.  This is the 2nd year that the boys have entered the Steer Feedout competition.  All steers had to be at the assigned Feedlot by November 14 and they will be slaughtered when they are estimated to have attained .5 inches fat cover at the 15th rib.  This could be anywhere from 166 to 195 days.

The purpose of this activity is to expose OJCA members to the real world of cattle feeding, financing, product evaluation and gathering information that can be used in a commercial herd improvement program.  Participants are strongly encouraged to visit the feed yard at delivery, shipping to the packer, or when ever possible.  Each entry should give the Junior Cattlemen a wealth of new and practical knowledge about the cattle industry.  For example, some juniors participation in this test will experience the process of financing their steers.  They can gain as much from the program as desired.  Data and information will be provided in the areas of gain, carcass merit and profit.  The top 10 placing pens in the OJCA Feedout will be recognized at the OCA Convention Banquet and receive points toward the all around Junior Cattlemen of the year award.

In closing I found the following picture and I think it pretty much sums things up for our family.  We have been to this feedlot, but I don't recall the message on the grain silos.  I'm glad someone capture it and is sharing the picture.  I don't know what happened, but the picture is listed in the above post.

Why Blog?

Why Blog?  I have asked myself this question many times, but have never done it until now.  When asked to get on the ban wagon of RWR www.ruralwomenrock.blogspot.com  I thought, "Really?"   

As I sit in a deer stand with my 11 year old what better time than now to tell our story, that story would be Agriculture and our way of life.

Both our boys are actively involved in 4H www.4-h.org , more on 4H later.  Both boys have been giving speeches for the past 2 years.  Yes our youngest is only 6 and his speeches are more like "talks", but we wanted to get him used to talking in front of people.  The question has been brought up more than once of why we should tell our story.

Each year we attend the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association Convention www.okcattlemen.org
At this year's convention both boys would be giving speeches in the Junior Competition.  When brainstorming on what to give their speeches over, the same question/statement kept coming back to us - tell your story, why you choose to be involved in agriculture, why you show cattle, why you do what you do, why you choose to spend your summer vacation on the combine or swather or baler.

The boys did well with their speeches, no blue ribbons, but definitely another notch in their belts on being more comfortable talking in front of people.

Our story is Agriculture and we hope you join us along the way.  We don't want to bore anyone, hopefully we will keep you entertained and educated.  Follow us as we introduce you to our rural lifestyle and feel free to ask any questions along the way.