Just to set the record straight, it was our neighbors Quentin and Angela Shadbolt from Merriman, Nebraska, that really did good with their heifers. They won both Grand Champion and Reserve Champion at the 23rd annual Sandhills Cattle Association Educational, Performance and Carcass Contest in the heifer division. We did have the fifth place overall heifer out of 52 that completed the contest.
In the steer division, there were 76 that completed the contest. Kent Kaup from Bassett had the Grand Champion, and Greg and Jolee Nielsen from Gordon had the Reserve Champion. Our best steer tied for 10/11 in the Overall.
There are three separate categories in both the steer and heifer competition. Figures are computed for Gain, Carcass and Profitability. Our best heifer, #88, got second place in the Gain and second place in Profitability. We had the fourth place steer and the ninth place steer in the Carcass category in the steer contest. In the Pen of Three competition, which includes heifers and steers, we got third place in Profitability.
Here is a picture of Greg and Jolee Nielsen with their Reserve Champion Steer buckle, and Quentin and Angela Shadbolt with their Champion and Reserve Champion buckles for their prize winning heifers. Kent Kaup was not on hand to receive his buckle for Champion Steer. The awards presentation was held at Jordan's Fine Dining in Valentine on July 27, 2005, and included a tasty prime rib supper.