Red Angus activities at the 2009 National Western Stock Show were held Saturday, January 10 - Tuesday, January 13.

The Junior Stockgrowers Contest began Saturday morning with breakfast for the contestants and judges at the Doubletree Hotel. After two years off, the contest is back on track under the direction of Dave Otto, Parker Ranch, Booneville, AR. Contestants then met individually and in pairs with the judges for personal interviews and to discuss and evaluate their record books. The afternoon was spent with the judges in the Yards, discussing various aspects of the cattle industry and learning about breeds other than Red Angus that were in place. All attended the Sal Forbes reception Saturday evening - Sal started the Stockgrowers Contest. Sunday morning took Stockgrowers back out to the grounds and they returned at midday to join in the Brain Trust meeting from noon until 3 p.m. Monday morning, Stockgrowers and judges were on the Hill, observing the Red Angus Junior and Open Shows. Stockgrowers gave their speeches in the sale arena at 4 p.m. Monday afternoon - which was broadcast on DV Auction - and awards were presented shortly thereafter.

The JRA Board was very involved with the Stockgrower contest this year - assisting Dave in many capacities during the weekend. All 6 current JRA Board members made it to Denver: Kris Weidenbach, SD; Laura Mushrush, KS; Marianne Mendoza, CA; Nathan Nelson, MN; Tyler Rush, MO; Montgomery Dempsey, TN.

Stockgrower Contest results:
Junior Champion: Cabe Croissant, Eaton, CO
Reserve Junior champion: Madelyn Mushrush, Strong City, KS

Senior Champion: Coy Goggins, Springview, NE
Reserve Senior Champion: Chelsea Rorison, Jane Lew, WV

Junior Record Book: Madelyn Mushrush
Senior Record Book: Chris Mushrush, Strong City, KS

Overall Stockgrower Champion: Laura Daniel, LaGrange, GA
Received a certificate for $1,200 toward the purchase of a registered Red Angus heifer
Reserve Overall Stockgrower Champion: Chris Mushrush

Each of the contestants received a hooded, Duck Head jacket embroidered with the Stockgrower logo; a Red Angus hooded Sweatshirt; Red Angus mug, feed pan, water bucket, halter and various supplies. Each of the individual winners received ribbons from the National Western; overall champion and reserve received banners provided by the National Western.

The Herd In A Tank auction was held during the Mile High Classic - to benefit the Stockgrowers Contest. The tank contained 10 straws of semen on each of 7 bulls: Majestic Lightning, Roy Rogers, Destination, Feddes Big Sky, Brown-CH Assurance, Mulberry and K2 Red Alliance. Also, three frozen embryos (Beckton Halfmann Hustler x Panhandle Robin 4135) were donated by Cross Diamond Cattle Co. to the "Tank". The tank itself was donated by MVE-Chart and Genex through the generosity of Willie Altenburg. The Herd In A Tank was purchased by John Jung and Stephanie Pharis, Mina, SD.

Judges for Stockgrowers this year were:
Dave Otto
Scott Ford, Bertrand, NE
Brent Johnson, Nunn, CO
Esther Fischer, Harlowton, MT

In addition to assisting with Stockgrowers on Saturday, Sunday and Monday afternoon, the JRA Board kept a busy schedule during the Red Angus activities including: JRA Board meeting and finalizing Round-Up details; attending the Sal Forbes reception, participating in Brain Trust; attending the Red Angus Hill shows and the Mile High Classic Sale.

A Red Angus junior show was held Monday morning, just prior to the Open Show. 20 juniors exhibited 27 heifers in the junior show. All were beautifully presented to judge Case Gabel, Lone Tree, CO.

Results from the National Western/Colorado Red Angus Assoc. Junior Show are:
Class 1: 1st - TC Lianna 76U exhibited by Calli Bayer, Ringle, WI
2nd - TWG 4L VRDALE 206U exhibited by Thomas Glasock, Pilot Point, TX
3rd - TC Natasha 21U exhibited by Ty Bayer, Ringle, WI

Class 2: 1st - Silveiras Maiden 8397 exhibited by Garrett Blanchard, Firebaugh, CA
2nd - TWG Mamma Mia 862U exhibited by Thomas Glascock
3rd - WEBR Suzy Q 863 exhibited by Vada Vickland, Longmont, CO

Class 3: 1st - LL Signature 852 exhibited by (not available)
2nd - HCFA 867 exhibited byThomas Glascock
3rd - Camp 1A CH Valentine U870 exhibited by Cody Faulkender, Oakley, KS

Class 4: 1st - Red BCC Utopia 42U exhibited by Jaci Tweeten, Spring Grove, MN
2nd - TEC Ms Esther 102U exhibited by Jaci Tweeten
3rd - U Bunnie exhibited by William Guthrie, Woodward, OK

Class 5: 1st - HCFA Ms Stony 797 exhibited by Kyle Roder, Crane, MO

Class 6: 1st - DBLL DCC 224 Peekaboo exhibited by Nathaniel Morgan, Cushing, IA
2nd - DBLL DCC 503R Precision 7214 exhibited by Tim Lockhart, Hearne, TX
3rd - NSFR Marlene T37 exhibited by Jamin Zeman, Bassett, NE

Class 7: 1st - WSF Ms Dionne T7929 exhibited by Jaci Tweeten
2nd - Tyanne 701T exhibited by Grady Hammer, Wallace, KS
3rd - RVB Sophia exhibited by Megan Banwarth, Adin, CA

Grand Champion Heifer: DBLL DCC 224 Peekaboo, Nathaniel Morgan, Cushing, IA

Reserve Grand Heifer: WSF Ms Dionne T7929, Jaci Tweeten, Spring Grove, MN

Grand Champion Cow/Calf Pair: CFRA Jr 0614 exhibited by Shelby Rush, Jasper, MO

Champion Junior SHowman: Tim Lockhart, Hearne, TX
Reserve Jr Showman: Shelby Roder, Crane, MO

Champion Senior Showman: Jaci Tweeten, Spring Grove, MN
Reserve Sr Showman: Kyle Roder, Crane, MO

Junior Items of Interest:

*2009 National Red Angus Shows will be held in conjunction with the North American, Louisville, KY, in November.

*The RAAA Board of Directors approved that beginning in January 2011, the National Junior and Open Red Angus Shows will be held in Denver at the National Western each year.

*Applications for 7 RAAA Junior Scholarships are due to Betty Grimshaw by March 31.

*Members of the RAAA Junior Activities Committee were approved at the Denver Board meeting:
Laurence Mendoza, Valley Springs, CA - chair/RAAA Board member
Esther Fischer, Harlowton, MT - RAAA Board member
Julie Schick, Lodge Grass, MT
Kurt Rich, Vinton, IA
John Eklund, Van Alstyne, TX

*2009 Round-Up in South Dakota, June 23 - 27. Registration deadline - May 1.

*JRA Officer applications due May 1. Regions open for election in 2009 are: North Plains, Great Plains and Northeast.

May 1 entry deadline for:
Powerpoint Contest
Graphic Design Contest
Merit Award Program application
American/Canadian Exchange Program application
Essay Contest