Star Lake '12 National Western Blog Report #6 (1/11/12)
Only ONE MORE DAY until the showing starts!!! The wash racks are full, the blowers are churning and clippers are a moving! That also means the humidity in the Hill barn is high, electrical breakers are being taxed, the air is filled with hair and dust, and anyone with sinus or allergy problems is suffering. But that is what the rest of the year is for...THIS IS DENVER and it don't get any bigger or better than this.
Colder is the word of the day and the snow makes for a slow drive to the Stock Show grounds and a lot of extra work in The Yards! If it's going to snow - bring it on...snow hard and be done - then we can clean up already! That is what it is doing with a little over three inches expected and clearing out by mid-afternoon. Is also interesting to see everyone backed to bundled up mode. I can go on my diet later with the heavy parka on I can blame the bulk on it. By the end of the week...back to the mid-forties and sloppy in The Yards!!
A question we received last year is also being asked this year being What is a Carload? A Carload of Hereford bulls is a group of 8-10 bulls that are shown as a combined unit to highlight growth, performance, consistency and continuity. It is often assumed that all of the animals in a carload are identical breeding or flush mates with a common sire and dam. Usually that is not the case. For example in our carload entry this year we have calves from eight different herd sires bred to nine unique mamma cows. The bulls can be in two age brackets - a group of 10 bull calves (under 1 year old) or a group of 8 Yearlings (bulls that are over a year but under two years old). We have been fortunate to exhibit the Denver Grand Champion Carload the past 12 years in a row.
Austin asks "Is the bull battery as gentle and easy going as bulls in the past?" Overall we are very fortunate that by their nature the Hereford breed is well known for their docile, calm nature. With the work involved in getting the bulls competitive to compete at the level of the National Western all of the show string has been handled and around people. However, we always keep in mind that these are animals and with the big bulls weighing in at over 2,500 pounds their power needs to be respected.
Thank You to all who had a part in the Hereford Herdsman Social and fund raiser. In the past seven years over $15,000 has been raised and earmarked to youth scholarships on behalf of the Hereford herdsman. When I hear a tally on the dollars raised for the Herdsman Scholarship Fund we will pass it along here. Good Job everybody!!!
The Hereford Hospitality area opens today in the historic Livestock Exchange Building. Stop in visit with AHA staff or the many folks that have booths up. Stop by the Star Lake booth and register for the drawing. Maybe we should have an online blog follower drawing...I will get back on that after checking with Jon on how to do it.
I want to again thank all of you who are taking the time to check in on this blog. I am humbled that folks take time out of their busy day to read what I have written. Based on our web reports over 450 of you checked-in for yesterday's blog and the numbers are going up by 50 to 100 more views each and every day. Based on what we have heard there are a number of students following as a classroom project. Hopefully it is not for Spelling or English!
Last dinner of the trip for ol' cookie here - tonight is a favorite of our group - Grilled Iowa Chops (that's a 1¼" thick chop), Baked Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, Fruit Salad, Garlic Bread and Cheesecake or Cobbler. Other than a batch of Cowboy Beans for after the Carload Show the kitchen is closed until next year ....back atcha tomorrow!
Shock & Awe taking a rest!
Jaci and Jason Barber's heifer says hello.
Junior practice time!!!
A couple of the show heifers looking for some more feed.
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