Media Tip Sheet: CSU and the National Western Stock Show

Note to Reporters: The following is a collection of Colorado State University events, experts, and resources related to the National Western Stock Show. The Stock Show runs Jan. 7-22 at the National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St., Denver. The CSU National Western Stock Show media tip sheet can be found online at CSU’s new channel SOURCE: http://source.colostate.edu/media-tip-sheet-csu-and-the-nwss-2017/.

A space for the next 100 years of the National Western Stock Show – plus education and activities year-round
For the past three years, Colorado State University has partnered with National Western Stock Show, City and County of Denver, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, and History Colorado to create a vision for the National Western Center, a planned 250-acre campus for year-round education, entertainment and research in North Denver. The planned campus will more than double the size of the current National Western Complex grounds, which hosts the Stock Show each January.

Through the passage of House Bill 1344, CSU is bringing $200 million in lease-purchase agreements to finance construction of three CSU buildings on the campus, including an equine sports medicine and community outreach clinic, a learning center, and a water resources center. The university will conduct research and experiential education at the site, as well as is contribute expertise in sustainability to further the site’s regeneration goals. To speak with someone about CSU’s programming and development plans at the National Western Center, contact Tiana Nelson at 303-376-2613 or Christiana.Nelson@colostate.edu. Visit nwc.colostate.edu for the latest project information.

Veterinary Feed Directive Act
Effective Jan. 1, 2017, new federal rules will regulate how medically important antibiotics can be administered to animals in feed and drinking water. Among the provisions, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will require veterinary oversight whenever such antibiotics are administered to any food animal species via feed or water, even if the animals are not intended for food production. CSU veterinarian Paul Morley is among a handful of experts who penned a policy paper in 2013 giving guidance on use of antibiotics for livestock. For interviews with CSU experts, contact Mary Guiden at (970) 491-6892 or Mary.Guiden@colostate.edu.

CSU Students to participate in the National Western Invitational 4-H/FFA Livestock Judging Contest
As parts of the NWSS, each state is invited to enter one 4-H and one FFA livestock judging team consisting of no more than four members. The three members with the three high scores will be counted for the team points; however, all individuals are eligible for individual awards. The team members are selected in a manner determined by the state 4-H/FFA leader or advisor. The contest, to be held Friday, Jan. 6 and will be comprised of 12 classes of livestock. These 12 classes will consist of beef, sheep and/or goat and swine. All of these classes will be comprised of four animals and the winners of the contest will be determined by a team of judges. CSU Animal Sciences Instructor Clay Carlson helps to coordinate the project. To speak to Carlson, contact Jennifer Dimas at (970) 491-1543 or Jennifer.Dimas@colostate.edu.

International Livestock Forum
Colorado State University Department of Animal Sciences and the National Western Stock Show have partnered together to bring industry experts to CSU to discuss pertinent topics concerning global livestock and meat production. This year’s tour day will highlight production in the U.S. including an in-depth look at processing facilities and a large-scale feeding operation. Events will be held Jan. 6-7. A full schedule can be found at http://ansci.agsci.colostate.edu/outreach/camps-courses-sales-and-events/tentative-agenda/. For more information about the International Livestock Forum, contact Jennifer Dimas at (970) 491-1543 or Jennifer.Dimas@colostate.edu.

Seedstock Merchandising Team
The CSU Seedstock Merchandising Team, a select group of eight undergraduate students, will be competing at the National Western Stock Show with four pens of cattle. The students selected these cattle from the 2016-born calf crop produced at CSU’s Agricultural Research, Development, and Education Center in Fort Collins. Since selecting them this fall, the team has been developing and preparing these cattle for the upcoming show. The team will have cattle at the Stock Show Jan. 7-15 (Jan. 14 is CSU day at the Stock Show). During that time, students will host a CSU booth in “the yards.” The team will host a free lunch in the CSU yard pens on Thursday, Jan. 12, at noon and will show their cattle on Friday, Jan. 13 (two pens of Hereford cattle) and Saturday, Jan. 14 (two pens of Angus cattle) beginning at 8 a.m. The students’ efforts culminate in an annual bull and heifer sale on March 25 at CSU’s ARDEC facility in Fort Collins. For more information about CSU’s Seedstock Merchandising Team, contact Jennifer Dimas at 970-491-1543 or Jennifer.Dimas@colostate.edu.

CSU students to compete in National Western Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest
Members of the 2017 CSU Meat Judging Team will compete against other universities in the National Western Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest. The contest is administered by the American Meat Science Association and is hosted and sponsored by JBS and the National Western Stock Show. The event will take place at the JBS beef packing plant in Greeley, Colo. on Sunday, Jan. 15. Students will place 10 classes of beef, pork, and lamb, write 10 sets of written reasons, yield and quality grade 15 beef cuts, and evaluate beef, pork, and lamb specifications. For more information, contact Jennifer Dimas at 970-491-1543 or Jennifer.Dimas@colostate.edu.

Ag Adventure
CSU’s Ag Adventure, located next to the CSU booth on the 3rd floor of the Hall of Education, is an interactive exhibit created in conjunction with several Colorado commodity groups and agriculture students that teaches children about where their food comes from. The exhibit includes information from the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Colorado Farm Bureau and commodity groups such as beef, dairy, eggs, potatoes, corn, wheat, and honey producers. More than 70,000 people visited Ag Adventure last year. For more information about Ag Adventure, contact Jennifer Dimas at 970-491-1543 or Jennifer.Dimas@colostate.edu

4-H Day at the Stock Show, Friday, Jan. 13
Friday, Jan. 13 has been designated as 4-H Day at the NWSS. Each year on 4-H Day the 15 member State 4-H Officer team attends the stock show and rodeo. From 9 a.m. until the afternoon rodeo performance, State Officers and State 4-H staff are available at the CSU booth to answer questions about 4-H and hand out free giveaways, including clover tattoos. For more information about 4-H Day at the Stock Show, contact Joanne Littlefield at 970-491-4640 or joanne.littlefield@colostate.edu.

CSU Extension/4-H Agents offer agricultural education tours
Colorado State University Extension/4-H Agents in Adams, Jefferson, Broomfield, Denver, Arapahoe, Douglas, Boulder and Weld counties partner with the National Western Stock show to provide 13,000 school aged children from the Denver metro the opportunity to learn more about agriculture. During school hours on weekdays, students are able to see livestock pens, barns, commercial and commodity exhibits and CSU’s Ag Adventures through self-guided tours. 4-H agents are on hand to answer questions about the attractions, and about 4-H opportunities in specific counties. For more information, contact Joanne Littlefield at 970-491-4640 or joanne.littlefield@colostate.edu.

CSU Day at the Stock Show Jan. 14
CSU Day at the National Western Stock Show is Saturday, Jan. 14. Colorado State University has a long and storied connection to the National Western Stock Show – beginning with 600 students arriving with their livestock at the first Stock Show in 1906. CSU Day at the Stock Show is a celebration of Western heritage and Ram pride. The event features future Rams in the mutton bustin’ competition, which is sponsored by the CSU Alumni Association, and CSU leadership riding the stagecoach in the Pro Rodeo. Visit the CSU booth on the 3rd floor of the Hall of Education for great giveaways and watch for CAM the Ram. In addition to visitors having the chance to get their photos taken with CAM, CSU Ram Handlers will be sharing some fun CAM facts as well. While at the Stock Show, plan to stop by the CSU exhibit booths on the second and third floors of the Hall of Education for information on academic programs and athletics, CSU giveaways and more. The booths will be staffed during the entire 16-day run of the Stock Show. Among the exhibitors: 4-H; Admissions; College of Agricultural Sciences; Alumni Association; CSU Athletics; College of Business; Colorado State Forest Service; CSU Extension; One Health Institute; CSU Online; CSU’s Seedstock Merchandising Team; College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; and, CSU’s Vice President for Research. For more information about CSU Day at the Stock Show, contact Jennifer Dimas at 970-491-1543 or Jennifer.Dimas@colostate.edu.

Stock Show weather
Colorado State University State Climatologist Nolan Doesken is available to discuss “Stock Show Weather” and any aspect of Colorado’s weather and climate. Water supplies, drought trends, snow accumulations, winds, temperature extremes and seasonal weather patterns are all fair topics. Doesken’s 38+ years at Colorado State University conducting weather research, climate studies, data acquisition, analysis and archiving provides him the expertise to address a wide variety of climate-related questions. He can also talk about the statewide volunteer network, called the Community Collaborative Rain, Snow and Hail Network that has greatly improved precipitation monitoring and helps provide detailed storm analysis, drought, water supply and other water decision-making information to municipalities, homeowners, industries, utility providers, resource managers, and educators. To speak with Doesken, contact Anne Manning at (970) 491-7099 or Anne.Manning@colostate.edu.

Colorado water and agriculture
Faculty from the Colorado State University Water Institute are available to discuss Colorado water and agriculture, environment and natural resource topics related to water, such as the new rainwater collection requirements: http://extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/natres/06707.pdf). CSU Water Institute experts can discuss Colorado’s water history, drought management, Western water management issues, groundwater quality, water treatment and other water issues. To speak with experts from CSU’s Water Institute, contact Jim Beers at 970-689-2407 or jim.beers@colostate.edu.

Water in the West
Neil Grigg, civil engineering professor and renowned water resources engineering consultant, can discuss Colorado’s water history, drought management, government water resources planning, Western water management issues, water system infrastructure engineering, flood control and urban water systems management. Grigg published a book, “Colorado’s Water: Science and Management, History and Politics,” which presents long-range views about Colorado’s water issues, including drought. He has authored or co-authored about 200 publications and several books about water resources engineering and infrastructure. To speak with Grigg, contact Anne Manning at (970) 491-7099 or Anne.Manning@colostate.edu.