Saturday, February 21, 2004      Hats off to the 13th Annual Nebraska Cattlemen's Classic as the event soared to record setting heights. A Replacement Heifer Pen of 5 was purchased for the first time by an Alaskan buyer. The number of prospective buyers from 29 states increased by 5% for the Classic's 13 breed, horse and Pen of 5 Replacement Heifer sales, and the highest selling heifer was sold in the Chimaine breed for $30,000.
The high selling Grand Champion Maine Anjou heifer (Lot 41) consigned by Palmer Show Cattle of Norfolk, Nebraska sold to Kelsey Rutt of Minden, Nebraska for $6,000. The Reserve Champion Maine Anjou heifer (Lot 42) consigned by SJ Show Cattle of Grand Isle, Nebraska sold to Heather Klausen of Laurel, Nebraska for $3,600. Maine Anjou heifers averaged $2,522.

The high selling Grand Champion Maine Anjou bull (Lot 23) consigned by Rocking J Ranch of Cody, Nebraska sold to Jones Cattle Company of Harrod, Ohio for $12,000. The Reserve Champion Maine Anjou bull (Lot 16) consigned by Boss Premier Black Cattle of Minatare, Nebraska sold to John Lee of Arizona for $9,600. Maine Anjou bulls averaged $3,110.
The high selling Grand Champion Chimaine heifer (Lot14) consigned by Holt Brothers of Aberdeen, South Dakota sold to Hartman & Associates & Kearns Cattle Company of Rushville, Nebraska . The Reserve Champion Chimaine heifer (Lot 22) consigned by Rocking J Ranch Cody, Nebraska sold to Cody Schulz of Pierce, Nebraska for $4,200. The Chimaine heifers averaged $5,091.

The high selling Chimaine bull (Lot 2) consigned by Forster Farms Simmental of Smithfield, Nebraska sold to Steven Deibel of Victoria, Texas for $5,500. The Grand Champion Chimaine bull (Lot 7) consigned by Maurer and Vogel of Hartley, Iowa sold to Earl Roemer of Healy, Kansas for $4,400. Reserve Champion Chimaine bull (Lot 6) SJ Show Cattle of Grand Island, Nebraska sold to Mark A. Johnson of Maurice, Iowa for $3,500. The Chimaine bulls averaged $3,425.

The high selling Grand Champion Chiangus heifer (Lot 16) consigned by Forster Bros. Farms of Lockney, Texas sold to Mike Stoppel of Russell, Kansas for $10,250. The Reserve Champion Chiangus heifer (Lot 23) consigned by Rocking J Ranch Cody, Nebraska sold to Klute Show Cattle of Hampton, Nebraska for $2,750. The Chiangus bulls averaged $3,325.

The Grand Champion Chiangus bull (Lot 11) consigned by Wayne and Barb Ohlrichs of Norfolk, Nebraska sold to Jeff Wragge of Pierce, Nebraska for $6,300. The high selling Reserve Champion Chiangus bull (Lot 5) consigned by Wayne and Barb Ohlrichs of Norfolk, Nebraska sold to Ron Kahl of Reeds, Missouri for $6,500. The Chiangus bulls averaged $3,164.58.

Breed activities culminated with the parade of champions for selection of the Genex/Merial and Good Samaritan Health System's Supreme Champions. The Chimaine Heifer, consigned by Holt Brothers of Aberdeen, South Dakota and sold to Hartman & Associates & Kearns Cattle Company of Rushville, Nebraska won top honors for Supreme Row. The Limousin bull, consigned by Carousel Farms of Mineral Point, Wisconsin and sold to M&M Farms of Oxford, NE won top honors for the Supreme Champion bull. The Supreme Champions' consignors were each awarded $2,500, and $1,000 was awarded to each of the buyers of those animals.

The Nebraska Cattlemen's Classic and the 13 Breed Associations participating at the Classic teamed up to award scholarships for youth in each respective breed. Junior members also had the opportunity to participate in the "Classic Junior Heifer Incentive Program." Juniors that purchased heifers at the Classic and showed the heifer at the Junior Show were eligible for a cash reward. Over 353 junior showmen will compete in the Junior Show which will conclude the Classic week on Sunday, February 22 at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds in Kearney, Nebraska.
 

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Friday, February 20, 2004       As of Friday, bidders from twenty-five different states registered to purchase Classic cattle. The week's fast paced sales continued with the Limousin sale.

The high selling Grand Champion Limousin heifer (Lot 23) consigned by Hunt Limousin Ranch of Oxford, Nebraska sold to Live Oak Limousin of Independence, Louisiana. Reserve Champion (Lot 25) consigned by Vorthmann Cattle of McClelland, Iowa sold to Kurt Wolff of Newell, Iowa. The Limousin heifers averaged $1, 860,

The high selling Grand Champion bull (Lot 5) consigned by Carousel Farms of Mineral Point, Wisconsin sold to M&M Farms of Oxford, Nebraska. The Reserve Champion Limousin bull (Lot 15) also consigned by Carousel Farms sold to Kessler Limousin of Leola, South Dakota. The Limousin bulls averaged $2,265.

Pope Farms of Ravenna, Nebraska sold the high selling Gelbvieh heifer (Lot 35) for $1,700 to C&L Krajwski of Venango, Nebraska. The Grand Champion Gelbvieh heifer (Lot 30) consigned by September Farms of Franklin, Nebraska sold to Jeff Wulf of Guide Rock, Nebraska for $2,600. The Gelbvieh bulls averaged $2,083.

High selling Grand Champion Shorthorn heifer (Lot 31) consigned by Kolt Cattle Company of Seward, Nebraska sold to Lush Farms of Overland Park, Kansas for $5,500. Reserve Champion (Lot 47) consigned by Gana-Nisley Cattle Company of Martell, Nebraska sold to Doran Junek of Cuba, Kansas for $3,600. The Shorthorn heifers averaged $2,312.50.
High selling Shorthorn bull (Lot 21) consigned by Circle K Cattle Company of Moulton, Iowa sold to Nelson Plumtree of Lawton, Oklahoma for $6,600. Kolt Cattle Company of Seward, Nebraska sold the Grand Champion bull (Lot 10) for $5,750 to Jeff Wulf of Guide Rock, Nebraska.

The high selling Pen of Five Replacement Heifers (Lot 19) consigned by Ralph G. Pilkington of Albion, Nebraska sold to Rocking J of Cody, Nebraska for $12,000. Twenty-five pens of Replacement Heifers averaged $5,762.

The Classic week will culminate with LIVE entertainment at the Classic BARN PARTY. Sponsored by Whiskey Creek, the Barn Party features a live band and will be held at the Ag Pavilion following the Supreme Row Judging on Saturday, February 21.

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Thursday, February 19, 2004      The third day of livestock shows and sales quickly came to a full boil as the high selling Angus bull (Lot 10) consigned by Pohlman Angus of Norfolk, NE, sold for $10,200 to Purdum Angus Farms of Creston, IA. The Grand Champion bull was consigned by Pohlman Angus Farms of Norfolk, NE, and sold for $5,750 to Mick Jameson of Minden, NE. The Angus bull averages were also up from the previous year $3,336.82.

The high selling Angus heifer (Lot 40) consigned by Fred's Angus of Rose, NE, sold to Nate Kolterman of Seward, NE, for $13,000. The Grand Champion heifer (Lot 38) was consigned by Broken Dollar Cattle Co. of Wellfleet, Ne. The Angus heifer averages were up from 2003 at $3,330.63.

The Grand Champion high selling Simmental heifer (Lot 38) consigned by Forster Simmentals of Smithfield, NE, sold for $6,000 to Colby & Mike Lange of Gibbon, NE. The Reserve Champion Simmental heifer (Lot 37) shown by Slama Simmentals of Dorchester, NE, sold to Lush Farms of Overland Park, KS, for $2,200. the Simmental heifers averaged $1,745/

The high selling Reserve Champion Simmental bull consigned by Suver Simmentals of Arlington, NE, sold to Camerlink Cattle Co. of Leonardville, KS, for $4,000. The Grand Champion Simmental bull consigned by Wurtz Cattle Co. of Valley, NE, sold to Dennis Breinig of Arapahoe, NE, for $3,600. The Simmental bulls averaged $2,090. To date, sale averages are 28% over 2003.

Friday's Classic schedule features shows and sales for Limousin, Gelbvieh and Shorthorn breeds. Kirk Stierwalt, an accomplished cattle fitter, educator and leader in the cattle industry, will share his knowledge of fitting cattle with the best techniques at 5 p.m. on Friday. He will demonstrate the process again on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. On Friday evening, breed activities climax with the annual Replacement Heifer Pen of 5 Sale at 7 p.m.

"Friday is expected to be another red letter day," stated Ronette Bush, Manager of the Nebraska Cattlemen's Classic. "The Classic week will culminate with live entertainment at the Classic BARN PARTY. Sponsored by Whiskey Creek, the Barn Party features a live band and will be held at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds Ag Pavilion following the 7 p.m. Supreme Row Judging on Saturday, February 21st."

The Nebraska Cattlemen's Classic and the 13 Breed Associations participating at the Classic have teamed up to make scholarships possible for youth in each respective breed. Junior members also have the opportunity to participate in the "Classic Junior Heifer Incentive Program." Juniors that purchase heifers at the Classic and show the heifer at the Junior Show are eligible for a cash reward. The Junior show concludes the Classic week on Sunday, February 22nd.

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Wednesday, February 18, 2004      The sun shone brightly on the cattle producers from 17 different states that registered to bid on the hot, quality stock sold during the second day of the 13th Annual Nebraska Cattlemen's Classic.

During the Polled Hereford sale, the Grand Champion heifer (Lot 32) consigned by S & S Polled Herefords, Guide Rock, NE, was purchased by Mark Ditloff, Columbus, NE, for $5,000. Blueberry Hill Farms of Norfolk, NE, (Lot 20) sold the high selling Grand Champion Polled Hereford bull for $6,700 to William Claybaugh, Carroll, NE. The female Polled Herefords averaged $2,200 with the male Polled Herefords averaging $2,560.56.

The high selling Hereford heifer (Lot 25) consigned by Monahan Cattle Co. of Hyannis, NE, sold to Brian Glendy of Oconto, NE, for $1,400. The Grand Champion Hereford bull (Lot 6) consigned by Valley Creek Ranch of Fairbury, NE, sold to Milldale Ranch Inc. of North Platte, NE, for $3,800. The female Herefords averaged $1,133 with the male Herefords averaging $2,288.

The high selling Grand Champion Red Angus heifer (Lot 29) consigned by Sand Point Cattle Co. of Kenesaw, NE, sold to David Moore of California for $3,600. The high selling Grand Champion Red Angus bull (Lot 15) consigned by Batterson Red Angus of Bloomfield, IA, and sold to Billie Powell of Gainsville, TX, for $3,700. The female Red Angus averaged $2,027.27 with the male Red Angus averaging $2,110.83.

The Classic week will culminate with live entertainment at the Classic BARN PARTY. Sponsored by Whiskey Creek, the Barn Party features a live band and will be held at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds Ag Pavilion following the 7 p.m. Supreme Row Judging on Saturday, Feb. 21.

The Nebraska Cattlemen's Classic and the 13 Breed Associations participating at the Classic have teamed up to make scholarships possible for youth in each respective breed. Junior members also have the opportunity to participate in the "Classic Junior Heifer Incentive Program." Juniors that purchase heifers at the Classic and show the heifer at the Junior Show are eligible for a cash reward. The Junior show concludes the Classic week on Sunday, February 22nd.

Tuesday, February 17, 2004      "Filled to the brim" described the action at the 5th Annual Classic Ranch Horse Sale that concluded the first day's events at the 13th Annual Nebraska Cattlemen's Classic. The Classic event jumped into high hear with the first day of shows and sales at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds in Kearney, Nebraska.

The first Classic Charolais and Braunvieh breed shows, sales and demos got the day off and running with buyers registering from 15 different states. The high selling Reserve Champion Charolais heifer shown by Sonderup Charolais Ranch, Fullerton, NE, was sold for $2,400 to Evergreen Trust, St. Paul, NE. The Grand Champion Charolais heifer shown by West Fork Ranch, Loup City, NE, was sold for $2,000 to Ryan Neidhardt of Plymouth, NE.

Sonderup Charolais Ranch also sold the high selling Champion bull to Lamont Sever, Eustis, NE, for $4,000. The Reserve Champion bull was shown by West Fork Ranch, Loup City, NE. Loren Broberg of Tilden, NE, purchased the bull for $2,200. Bulls averaged $2,207 and the Charolais heifers averaged $1,406.

The Grand Champion Braunvieh heifer shown by Rock Creek Braunvieh of Fairbury, NE, was sold to R&D Farms of Franklin, KY, for $2,900. Rock Creek Braunvieh of Fairbury, NE, also sold the high selling Braunvieh bull for $2,800 to David Goode of Louisburg, KS. Thernes Braunvieh of DeWitt, NE, showed the Grand Champion bull and sold it for $1,650 to Mike Pfeil of Hastings, NE. The Braunvieh heifers averaged $1,197 and the bulls averaged $1,763.

The evening culminated in which attendees had the tremendous opportunity to select a top Ranch Working Horse from numerous choices at the Classic Ranch Horse Sale. Twenty ranch horses were previewed during the day's competition and spectators viewed the horse cattle working skills. Judges, Dennis Storms of Broken Bow, NE.; Mark Wray of Ord, NE; and Jim Brinkman of Ericson, NE, named a red dun gelding (Lot 3) consigned by Ryan Ranch of Overton, NE, as the Supreme Horse Champion. The Quarter Horse was purchased by Two Rivers Livestock of Fullerton, NE, for $4,100. Randy Ryan received $1,000 for his Supreme Classic Horse award sponsored by Merial Animal Health. the high selling honor went to a Palamino Gelding from Willow Farms Inc. (Lot 9) of Hays Center, NE, and sold to Ronald Richards of O'Neill, NE, for $5,600. All horses sold for an average of $3,090.

"Thank you to Merial Animal Health for their support of the Ranch Horse competition," stated Ronette Bush, Nebraska Cattlemen's Classic Manager.

All Classic consignors and buyers have the opportunity to win the drawing of a one-year lease on a Titan Classic Stock Trailer from Mid-Plains Farm Equipment in Kearney. The drawing will be held during Supreme Row Judging. Seven names will be drawn daily for the final drawing on Saturday evening during the Supreme Row Judging slated for 7 p.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2004.

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