To Show or Snow?

Yesterday the talk of the barns at the Fort Worth Stock Show was not the National Show itself but the SNOW that was headed this way.  In fact some folks pulled out early to get a jump on the incoming weather and head for home.  The option of staying put wasn't even a question as the steers were coming in and everybody else needed to get off the premises.  More on the Steer Show later.  As far as the Star Lake crew and cattle after a 12 to 14 hour trip (normally 5 to 6)  all are back at the Ranch and dealing with the massive blizzard and heavy snow hitting the Tulsa area.  From what feedback we have heard others have made it home safely or are hunkered down along the way.    As this blizzard is affecting a great deal of the country a huge shout of appreciation for all of the farmers and ranchers that each day not only work providing for their families but the livestock as well.  Weather like this makes those full days even harder and under trying conditions to boot.  Thanks to all and especially our Star Lake crew as we, like many others, are in the middle of calving season.

Back to the Stock Show for a recap.. Judge Bill Biglieni of Douglas, Manitoba, Canada evaluated the cattle and shared his insight and philosophy as he went through the groups.  It was interesting to watch and consider his perspective.  We are pleased to announce that STAR TCF Lock-N-Load 300W ET was selected as the National Grand Champion Polled Hereford Bull.  Lock-N-Load is a Reload sired bull that was born on 3/12/09.  He is owned by Star Lake, TCF and Turkey Feather Ranch.  

STAR Legendary Details 319X was the Reserve Division Spring Bull Calf Champion, a partnership interest in him recently sold to Belle Point Ranch in Lavaca, AR.  STAR On The Other Hand 31X ET Polled Jr Bull Calves Division Champion and is owned by Star Lake and Red Oak Point Farm...Reserve Division was STAR MCL Vitale-ity 131X ET that we sold to Atlas Farms in our Fall Sale.  STAR KKH SSF Kemosabe 47X ET was the Reserve Division Champion in the Horned Jr Bull Calves.  Turkey Feather Ranch bought an interest in Kemosabe as Lot X in our Fall sale.

Our lone female that earned a purple banner was STAR KKH SSF Keyshona 25W ET was selected the Reserve Division Champion in the Polled Junior Yearling Heifers.  Keyshona is owned by Star Lake Cattle Ranch with Kasey Herman.  At the conclusion of the show we were awarded a banner for the Best Six Head, Premier Polled Breeeder and Premier Polled Exhibitor.   In answer to alot of questions...NO & YES....NO - Shock & Awe did not make the trip to Fort Worth and YES Mirror Image - Mallorie Phelps's Denver Champion Female did.  Mirror Image was 3rd in class at Ft Worth but got her share of mike time and was a crowd favorite.  Congrats go to Mallorie as her winning ways did continue as she did have the National Reserve Grand champion Polled Female in Ft Worth with Purple Vintage 25X ET...Congrats Mallorie and family.

Again we thank all of the hard working folks of both Texas Hereford Association(S) for a great event and the warm hospitality.  Other than the weather turning rotten at the end the 70 degree days leading up to that were superb.  I mentioned the steer show earlier.  This Steer thing here is a major, major deal.  The trucks and trailers start lining up 36 or 48 hours ahead of the first unit rolling in the gate.  The long line of rigs goes through various parks and back roads till the units land in staging areas around the Stock Show yards.  Definately a commercial for pickup trucks!  This year with the Super Bowl in town the Fort Worth PD was attempting to keep the lines and vehicles off the roads and "out of the way"   Amazing that the Fort Worth Stock Show has been around here annually since 1896 and the Super Bowl is once in a blue moon.  I would be willing to bet the financial impact to the DFW metro area from the Stock Show over the last 115 years has been far greater than any number of Super Bowls...how soon they forget.