The Nebraska Cattlemen's Classic will hold their 21st annual event Feb. 20-26 at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds in Kearney. The Classic has a tremendous line up of cattle, horses, dogs, embryos, commercial displays and more for you to see.

It is a very exciting time to be in the beef industry! The Nebraska Cattlemen's Classic has grown into much more than just a few cattle showing and selling in Kearney. This year the Classic starts on Monday, Feb. 20 with a Ranch Horse Sort, Team Penning and Speed Penning during the day and Team Roping that evening. Tuesday will bring lots of excitement to town with 33 entries featured in the Ranch Horse competition. Tuesday will also showcase seven working dogs in the trials and sale that evening.

Classic cattle shows and sales begin Wednesday, Feb. 22. WOW is the best word to describe the consignments we have in the 11 breed shows and sales. Wednesday will feature the Hereford, Polled Hereford and Red Angus breeds; Thursday will showcase Angus, Simmental, Charolais, Fancy Pen of 3 Heifer Show & Sale and the Royal Ice Sale; Friday will showcase Limousin, Gelbvieh, Shorthorn and the Commercial Man's Pen of 5 Heifer Sale; Saturday will conclude the cattle shows and sales with the Maine Anjou and Chiangus/Chimaine breeds. A complete listing of all entries coming to the Classic can be found in the Classic catalog.

We have some special events at this year's Classic, all open to the public. The Classic is teaming up with the Nebraska Beef Council, Whiskey Creek Steakhouse and Builders Warehouse to promote beef to consumers at Ladies Night on Wednesday. This is a fun evening for the public to enjoy and includes "Horse Races at the Classic" – an event sure to bring new excitement to the Classic!

Thursday is Cattle Feeders and Veterinarians Day and we are honored to have Chris Calkins, Ph.D., of the University of Nebraska discuss "The Future of the Beef Industry" at 5:30 p.m. His presentation will be enjoyed by all ages. Immediately following the evening's sales we will have "Casino Night at the Classic, " with an auction to conclude the Casino activities.

Investing in the future leaders of the beef industry is an area of priority for Classic organizers. Therefore, Nebraska Cattlemen's Classic has implemented a Junior Heifer Award Program. This program is for heifers purchased at any Nebraska Cattlemen's Classic sale by a Junior. Heifers must be shown in the Classic Junior Show (this is the only opportunity out-of-state youth have to participate in the Classic Junior Show). Heifers can then be entered in their respective Junior National Shows to be held in Nebraska. The Nebraska Cattlemen's Classic will present Junior members that follow the program with a $100 cash award. If the heifer wins her class at Junior Nationals, the youth will receive $100 Classic Cash (certificate towards any purchase at any 2012 Classic sale). If the heifer is named a Junior National Champion, the youth receives $250 Classic Cash. This also applies to the Nebraska State Fair or AkSarBen.

The Nebraska Cattlemen's Classic has also teamed up with the University of Nebraska to host a judging contest that is open to all 4H, FFA and college youth. The Judging contest is on Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Classic grounds.

The Nebraska Cattlemen's Classic has grown into much more than cattle shows and sales – it is truly Nebraska's Family Winter Beef Event.