M E D I a T I P S H E E T – National Western Stock Show

Note to Editors: The following is a collection of media tips that includes experts and resources at Colorado State University. The media tip sheet is intended to provide resources to reporters and editors and is not intended as contact information for the public.

COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY DAY AT THE NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW

Colorado State University enjoys a long-standing, close relationship with the National Western Stock Show. In fact, faculty, staff and students are a large part of the behind-the-scenes effort that makes this large event successful. The university will be honored Jan.15 during Colorado State University day. The day includes Colorado State University Ag Outreach Appreciation day at the professional rodeo, and alumni and friends who purchase tickets through the Colorado State University Alumni office receive premium seats and a complimentary breakfast.

FORMER PARTICIPANTS IN JUDGING CONTESTS GATHER AT NWSS DURING COLORADO STATE TEAM REUNION

Former members of the Colorado State University livestock judging teams will gather for an informal reunion at the National Western. The reunion, which will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 14 in the Beef Palace Sale Arena, will provide alumni with an opportunity to reunite and share memories of their own experiences as student members of the university’s judging team. Traditionally, Colorado State’s livestock judging teams have excelled in national and regional contests, earning a reputation among peers as a team to beat. Alumni from classes more than 30 years ago have made reservations to attend the gathering, which will likely be attended by as many as 150 former teammates.

CITY KIDS GET INTO COUNTRY ACTION AT NATIONAL WESTERN BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOURS

More than 15,000 Denver Metro elementary students will get to take a trip behind the scenes of the National Western Stock Show. Educational tours hosted by Colorado State University Cooperative Extension 4-H agents, volunteers and Junior Leaders give kids a chance to see bulls, horses, goats and other animals up close. The tours also include barn visits and a chance to meet Stock Show clowns, and show children the role agriculture plays in their day-to-day lives, such as through the food they eat, the products they use and the open landscape of Colorado. Most tours begin at 9 a.m. and continue until about 1 p.m., incorporating Stock Show events. The tours include free Stock Show admission, courtesy of the National Western. (To arrange for story information about these tours, contact Mary Pat Adams at (303) 271-6634.

Queries about all other stories should be directed to Dell Rae Moellenberg through the contact information above.)

KIDS WRANGLE CALVES IN CROWD-FAVORITE CATCH-A-CALF CONTESTS

Colorado State Cooperative Extension sponsors the annual Catch-A-Calf contests at the National Western Stock Show. Since 1935, the contest, which is always a crowd favorite, has given a group of enthusiastic 4-H youth an opportunity to catch a calf during one of the NWSS rodeos. Those who catch a calf take it home and raise it as a 4-H project, learning to feed and care for it. They bring it back the next year to compete in a livestock show at the National Western. 4-H’ers who are successful in catching a calf maintain contact with contest sponsors and are required to give them updates about the animal, its health, and the lessons they’ve learned in caring for the animal daily. The Catch-A-Calf contest teaches youth responsibility, leadership and communication skills. 4-H’ers will compete for a calf at 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15; 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16; and 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19.  On Thursday, Jan. 20, youth who caught a calf at the 2004 NWSS will compete at 5 p.m and showmanship winners will be announced at 7 p.m.

STUDENT CLUB PUTS BUSINESS SKILLS TO TEST

A team of animal sciences students at Colorado State University practices business and marketing skills by building a cattle breeding stock business. The group, called the seed stock merchandising team, studies breeding and genetics as well as animal care with a project that involves tracking the bloodlines of numerous bulls and heifers, caring for the animals, designing a sale catalog, produce newsletters and advertisements, calling previous customers, and promoting and hosting an annual livestock sale at the college campus. As part of the promotion of their breeding stock, the group will bring livestock to show at the National Western Stock Show as well as man a booth about their project on the Stock Show grounds.  The sale attracts ranchers from around the west and gives students the opportunity to understand the ins and outs of real business. They meet once a week to discuss the business and plan the sale with the supervision of a professor. Students credit the experience with giving them an edge of experience over other college graduates. The students’ pen will be at the NWSS from Friday, Jan. 7 through the morning of the Jan.16.

STOCK SHOW FOSTERS EDUCATION AND SUCCESS THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS AT COLORADO STATE

The National Western Stock Show isn’t just about cows and horses; the organization is devoted to helping undergraduate and graduate students succeed in higher education, and this academic year supplied $92,000 in scholarships to Colorado State University students. This money helps more than 25 students achieve their career goals and attend Colorado State. Historically, scholarships are awarded to students who study animal sciences, equine science and agricultural education.

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