“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” This reads true for the livestock industry, particularly over the last 6 months. With every show cancellation that has come about, groups of hard-working individuals have stepped up and created opportunities for the youth of the industry to showcase their projects. With the announcement of the cancellation of the 2021 National Western Stock Show, it was only a matter of time before a dedicated and passionate group of people created the next opportunity to show.
A committee of 7 board members formed the 2021 Cattlemen’s Congress that is to be held January 2-17 at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The board consists of; Tyler Norvell – OYE President of Onward Endowment, Blake Nelson – Vice President of the American Maine-Anjou Association, Bob Funk OYE Chairman of the Board & CEO – Express Personnel Services, Jimmy Harrel – OYE Vice Chairman of The Board of Directors, Jarold Callahan – President of Express Ranches and owner/operator of Callahan Cattle Company, Shane Bedwell – Chief Operating Officer and Director of Breed Improvement at the American Hereford Association, and Jaclyn Upperman – Director Events & Education at the American Angus Association. With this force of talented and dedicated individuals leading the way for the Cattlemen’s Congress, this event is sure to be a major success.
Why was Cattlemen’s Congress created exactly? We sat down with Tyler Norvell to see what the committee’s game plan was for this 2021 show opportunity. “Our goal is to provide an opportunity for cattle producers across the country to come and highlight, showcase and sell their cattle. We intend to have every sale that happens at Denver. We plan to have a permanent sale arena set up at the fairgrounds,” states Norvell. With five show arenas on site the show will be able to showcase herd bull displays, pen shows, open class heifer and bull shows, junior heifer shows, a junior market steer show as well as open prospect heifer and steer shows – all shows that typically take place at the NWSS. The board members have decided to run this show exactly as the National Western has with the breed association handling and running their respective open and junior shows. One thing the committee decided to do differently in 2021 is to select a supreme champion in the open heifer, open bull and junior heifer shows.
Tyler Norvell, Cattlemen’s Congress Board Member & OYE President of Onward Endowment
With the Yards being such a vital part of the National Western Stock Show, not only for the show, but for the breeders and producers as well, the committee plans to have yard shows, pen shows as well as the popular herd bull displays. The herd bull display will be over the course of several days, with a schedule to come soon. With the help from a webcasting company, the board plans to help promote breeders and their operations to people who might not be able to make it down to Oklahoma City to watch. Additionally, they will figure a showcase having two different nights for the herd bull display, one night for the purebred breeders and one night for the club calf breeders.
Furthermore, with the cancellation of the NWSS, comes the cancellation of the collegiate judging contest. The Cattlemen’s Congress will also provide collegiate livestock judging teams with the opportunity to replace their National Western Contest in Oklahoma City – it will feature an all-species collegiate judging contest to give these students an opportunity to showcase their talents.
We are excited about this opportunity for our cattle industry and we cannot wait to see everyone in January 2021 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma!
