Morning Coffee – 2019 NWSS

The 2019 National Western Stock Show is in the books and while many things were nice and in their traditional spots, it is obvious things are changing in the National Western landscape. This was Smitty’s 40th year in Denver and luckily I spent some time walking the yards and grounds just remembering. Many of you may know this was called the “The Year of The Yards” and for good reason as the Stock Show unveiled their ambitious plans for the future of the National Western. New plans have been rumored for years, but now, the money is raised, the plans are made and the bulldozers are warming up. New facilities are needed and the plans look like they will work, but it was still nostalgic knowing the “Denver” I grew mature with is soon to be a memory.

My first exposure to Limousin cattle were the pens and carloads of Yackley and Symens Brothers with my judging team coach Greg Martin. Congratulations to John and Warren Symens for being there again this year, it marked their 45th year. Think about that for a moment, Symens Brothers has made that trip, in the middle of winter, for 45 Years. They have won some and lost some but they have always represented the Limousin breed to the best of their ability. Congratulations to yard newcomers Schur Limousin, from Texas, you didn’t cause a blizzard and your exhibit was an honor to the breed.

In this year of the Yards it was great to see the Champion Pen of Three Lim-Flex and the Champion Pen of Three Purebreds come from long time breeders and exhibitors Wulf Cattle. An interesting side note, both pens were red. In the Carload Show, consistency ruled the day as Magness Land & Cattle won it with their calves and was reserve with their 2-year-olds. Kudos to the Magness crew, for the second year, they took a bull out of the yards, walked up on the hill, and brought home the Grand Champion Bull trophy. Well done John Pence.

Up on the hill it was a super stout set of females that ruled the day and McKinlee Palmatary of Durant, Oklahoma, made her mark as she collected reserve champion female honors in the Junior Lim-Flex Show and then won the National Open Show later that afternoon. Two outstanding young men from Maryland, Chris and Lonnie Thomas, made the big trip cross country. Lonnie won the herdsmen of the year award and the TASF prefix and the progeny of TASF Crown Royal represented the young firm well. Judges in both shows were very complimentary of the outstanding depth of quality and consistency of product. Congratulations to Pinegar Limousin for Premier Exhibitor, and Premier Breeder was a tie between two young breeders, the aforementioned Thomas and Sons and former Junior stalwart Shelby Skinner of Bolivar, Missouri.

Magness Land & Cattle kicked off the trio of sales with an outstanding Mile High Elite Sale. The National Sale successfully continued its new tradition in the National Western Club and Tubmill Creek Farms capped the week with a successful online sale of their Denver Yard Bulls, a sale that averaged a solid $8,122.

Denver 2019 will stick in my mind as both shows were dedicated to long time breeder and Board Member Gene Raymond of GV Limousin, Garnett KS. Gene was missed by all and properly eulogized by his friend Ken Holloway. Good job Kenneth, Gene would have approved.

Denver 2019 will also be remembered for the glorious weather, tremendous fellowship, the nostalgia of years long gone and the excitement of a bright future around the corner. Congratulations to all that came and participated, we look forward to renewing old friendships and making new connections in the years to come.

CONTACT THE AUTHOR
Mark A. Smith
[email protected]
515-229-5227