It's Show Day

Yesterday I shared with you the good times we had the MSU Fall Fest sale, and today I'd like to tell you about the heifer we purchased. This morning our new heifer will be shown in Louisville at the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE), one of the largest cattle shows in the country. Her name is MSU Rachel, was born in February and comes from excellent nationally recognized genetics. We're very excited to watch her show this morning (via Internet) and at the National Western Stock Show (in person). The MSU Purebred Beef Center has been washing and blowing her hair daily in preparation for the sale and upcoming shows. MSU exhibited Angus and Hereford cattle at this show, wish them (and us) the best of luck this morning with the Hereford cattle.

If you are interested in watching the Hereford show or perhaps are interested in what the front-end of a cattle show entails, click here. The NAILE will be streaming the show live. Just a little background... the heifers are shown in their age groups and are lead around the show ring by their owners in front of a judge. The judge evaluates the heifers by looking at their phenotype (body structure, the way the walk, observable characteristics, longevity) and viewing their performance data, which are called E.P.D.s (Expected Progeny Differences) . The judges places them first, second, third, etc. First and second places class winners compete in their division and then champion and reserve divisions compete for overall Grand and Reserve Champion. This is comparable to a beauty pageant:)

Introducing MSU Rachel, sired (father) is Bailout. Wish us luck this morning!

 Happy Thursday!

N.Starr