Csu Students Compete with the Pros at 2008 National Western Stock Show

The Colorado State University Seedstock Merchandising Team is striving to be the best by learning from the best.  The 10-member team will show six registered bulls at the National Western Stock Show as part of a student project-a project emphasizing learning from, networking with, and competing against the experts.

The CSU seedstock team will show against professionals in the NWSS Hereford bull classes on Jan. 17 and the Angus bull classes on Jan.19.  The students have been feeding, leading, washing and blow-drying their bulls in preparation for the stock show since September.  The process teaches students about the cattle industry and what it takes to manage a professional operation.

"The CSU seedstock team is a unique opportunity for students to get real-world experience in the cattle industry," said Tom Field, Colorado State University Department of Animal Sciences professor and advisor to the CSU seedstock team.  "The team is out there rubbing elbows with the who’s who of the seedstock business.  It’s a learning process that gets students involved with professionals on the highest levels."

The team will have a booth near the entrance of the stockyards section of the NWSS complex to house their bulls and serve as an information point regarding the CSU program and the cattle industry.  Students will be present at the booth 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Jan. 12-19 to answer questions and to care for their bulls.  CSU bulls shown at the stock show will be auctioned at the seedstock team’s annual bull sale in Fort Collins on March 29.  The sale is produced and managed by the students and is the program’s source of funds.

"We get to do what the professionals do, and that gives us an edge of experience over other college graduates," said the CSU seedstock team captain, Toby Pollock.  "It’s a lot of work, but it is rewarding work.  We’re proud to represent CSU and the seedstock program at the (National Western) stock show."

-30-