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. 6-21 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: https://source.colostate.edu/csu-nwss-2018/
The National Western Center
Colorado State University is a key partner in the redevelopment of the National Western Center, a 250-acre planned campus, which will become a hub for education, innovation, and entertainment. Alongside partners the Western Stock Show Association, City and County of Denver, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, and History Colorado, CSU will help bring to life programming for people of all ages as part of this milestone project in north Denver.
CSU will have three buildings on the campus, including the first building to be constructed as part of the National Western Center – a water resources center in partnership with Denver Water – as well as an animal health building, and a CSU center focused on food systems innovation. The University will conduct research and create experiential education opportunities as part of the site, and contribute expertise in sustainability to further the site’s regeneration goals. For more information, contact Tiana Nelson at 303-376-2613 or Christiana.Nelson@colostate.edu.
Visit nwc.colostate.edu for the additional project information.
President Tony Frank named 2018 Citizen of the West
The National Western Stock Show has named Tony Frank the 2018 Citizen of the West, an award that recognizes those who embody the spirit and determination of the Western pioneer and perpetuate the West’s agriculture heritage and ideals. A committee of community leaders selects the recipients. Frank is the President of Colorado State University and Chancellor of the Colorado State University System. He will receive the prestigious award at a dinner on Jan. 8 at the National Western Events Center. Proceeds from the event support 100 scholarships awarded annually to colleges and universities in Colorado and Wyoming by the National Western Scholarship Trust. For more information contact Mike Hooker at (970) 491-1545 or Mike.Hooker@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 2017-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. 6-13. 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. 11, at noon and will show their cattle on Friday, Jan. 12 (two pens of Hereford cattle) and Saturday, Jan. 13 (two pens of Angus cattle) beginning at 8 a.m. The students’ efforts culminate in an annual bull and heifer sale 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 2018 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. 14. Students will place 10 classes of beef, pork, and lamb, write five 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.
Stock Show Ag Adventure program prepares students for industry opportunities
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. Each year, CSU students are provided the opportunity to participate in the University’s Ag Adventure program, leading up to and during the annual National Western Stock Show. For more information about how Ag Adventure prepares students for industry opportunities, read the story here and watch the video here. 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. 12
Friday, Jan. 12 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 on the 3rd floor of the Hall of Education 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 thousands of 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. 13
CSU Day at the National Western Stock Show is Saturday, Jan. 13. 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 11 a.m. Pro Rodeo. Visit the CSU booth on the 3rd floor of the Hall of Education for great giveaways and watch for CAM the Ram. 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: Extension/4-H; Admissions; College of Agricultural Sciences; Alumni Association; College of Business; Colorado State Forest Service; CSU Online; College of Liberal Arts; RamTrax Visitor Services; Seedstock Merchandising Team; College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; One Health Institute; Athletics; 4-H Foundation; and, CSU’s Vice President for Research. For more information about CSU Day at Stock Show, contact Tony Phifer at 970-491-7712 or Tony.Phifer@colostate.edu.
Stock Show weather
Colorado State University State Climatologist Russ Schumacher 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. He can also talk about the statewide volunteer network, called the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) that has greatly improved precipitation monitoring. CoCoRaHS 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 Schumacher, 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 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 Jennifer Dimas at 970-491-1543 or Jennifer.Dimas@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.