Saturday, February 22, 2003      KEARNEY- Saturday brought the much anticipated finale to five days of the 12th Annual Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic competition when the supreme champion bull and heifer were named. Over 863 potential buyers from 24 states including Canada were registered at the Classic held in Kearney.

The Grand Champion bull that topped the ChiAngus breed show was chosen as the 2003 Supreme Champion. The bull was consigned by Wayne & Barb Ohlrichs of Norfolk, NE and sold to RVK Chiangus of Rio Grande, Texas.

The Supreme Row judging panel, consisting of a trio of respected cattlemen, picked the Grand Champion ChiMaine female as their Supreme Champion Heifer. Consigned by Emma Schaunaman of Aberdeen, SD sold to Blake Kuebler, Kearney, NE.

Earlier in the day, the Grand Champion Maine Anjou heifer (Lot 56) consigned by Green Valley Cattle, Atkinson, NE was purchased by Jerry and Todd Adamson, Cody, NE for $4,800. The reserve champion Maine Anjou heifer (Lot 54) consigned by Wayne and Ohlrichs, Norfolk, NE was purchased by Doug Brand, Seward, NE of $2,000. High-selling Maine Anjou heifer (Lot 62) consigned by Ryan Verlinde, Tracy, MN was purchased by Rick Carlson, Plattsburg, MO for $6,000.   A total of 25 females were sold for an average price of $1,669.

The Grand Champion and high-selling Maine Anjou bull (Lot 18) consigned by Hall’s Flying 5 Livestock, Craven, SK SOGOWO Canada, sold to Kearns – Colt- Bizland, Rushville, NE for $10,000. The Reserve Champion Maine Anjou bull (Lot 33) consigned by Sundance Cattle Co, Craig, NE was sold to Eric Storer, Witman, NE for $4,900. A total of 42 ¼ bulls were sold for an average price of $1,912.

The Grand Champion ChiMaine heifer (Lot 27) consigned by Emma Schaunaman, Aberdeen, SD was purchased by Blake Kuebler, Kearney, NE for $4,000. The reserve champion ChiMaine heifer (Lot 31) consigned by Kevin & Joni Palmer, Norfolk, NE was purchased by Tom Musil, Ravenna, NE for $4,000. High-selling ChiMaine heifer (Lot 34) consigned by Apex Show Cattle, Dannebrog, NE was purchased by Tom Lauterbach, Van Meter, IA for $4,500. A total of 14 females were sold for an average price of $2,132.

The Grand Champion ChiMaine bull (Lot 14) consigned by Black Ace Show Cattle, Gill, CO was purchased by Brooks Shepard, Wheatland, WY for $4,000. The reserve champion ChiMaine bull (Lot 16) consigned by John Sutton, Centerville, SD was purchased by Verlinde Farms, Tracy, MN for $2,900. The high-selling male (Lot 20) consigned by Craig Talkington, Hays, KS was purchased by Frankie Joe Bedrich, Temple, TX for $4,100. A total of 19 bulls were sold for an average price of $2,116.

The Grand Champion and high-selling ChiAngus heifer (Lot 33) consigned by Craig Talkington, Hays, KS was purchased by Weber Show Cattle, Wymore, SD for $4,100. The reserve champion ChiAngus heifer (Lot 31) Wolff Farms, Madison, NE was purchased by Huck Cattle Co of Scott City, KS for $1,500. A total of 12 females were sold for an average price of $1,677.

The Grand Champion and high-selling ChiAngus bull (Lot 12) consigned by Wayne and Barb Ohlrichs, Norfolk, NE was purchased by RVK Chiangus of Rio Grande, TX for $7,750. The reserve Champion bull (Lot 17) consigned by RC Cattle Co, Brewster, KS was purchased by Jim Roelle, Peetz, CO for $3,300. A total of 18 bulls were sold for an average price of $1,881.

The 12th Annual Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic concludes on Sunday with the state’s largest junior cattle show. Over 439 entries are registered to compete for $1,000 each in prize money for three divisions including Champion Prospect Steer, Prospect Heifer and Breeding Heifer.
 

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Friday, February 21, 2003      KEARNEY- The ladies stole the show at the evening Replacement Heifer Sale at the 12 Annual Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic. The Replacement Heifer Sale has established a new record for the Classic tradition.  A record setting pen of registered Angus yearlings heifers captured $2,650 per head, going to Sisco Brothers, Syracuse, NE. The Pen of 5 Replacement Heifer Sale for 2003 included 39 lots which averaged $5,359 or $1072 per head which exceeds last year’s sale average. Hopps Cattle Co of Syracuse, NE consigned the top-selling pen.

With Limousin, Gelbvieh and Shorthorn sharing the limelight, Friday’s cattle shows and sales lured cattlemen from near and far. Breeders from neighboring states provided stiff competition for Nebraska consignors and bidders for a pick of the favorites. By evening, a standing-room-only crowd gathered for a record-setting replacement heifer sale.

Grand Champion Limousin heifer (Lot 27) consigned by Vorthmann Cattle, McClelland, IA was purchased by Cripple Creek Limousin, Dakotah, MN for $2,400. Reserve Champion and high-selling Limousin heifer (Lot 28) consigned by Straight Limousin, Logan, IA was purchased by MM & TT of New York for ½ interest of cow. calf pair for $2,500.  A total of 4 1/12 females sold for an average of $1,739.

Grand Champion and high-selling Limousin bull (Lot 7) consigned by Carrousel Farms, Mineral Point, WI was purchased by Potterosa Limousin, Redwood Falls, MN for $4,000. Reserve Champion bull (Lot 10) consigned by Vorthmann Cattle, McClelland, IA was purchased by Jered Shipman, Girard, KS for $2,150. A total of 18 females sold for an average of $1,661.

Grand Champion Gelbvieh heifer (Lot 33) consigned by September Farms, Franklin, NE was purchased by Monte Schultz, Oxford, NE for $1,600. Reserve grand champion and high-selling Gelbvieh heifer (Lot 38) consigned by Taubenheim Gelbvieh, Amherst, NE was purchased by Tom Chesnut of Alabama for $1,800. A total of 10 females were sold for an average of $1,260.

Grand Champion Gelbvieh bull ( Lot 22) consigned by Taubenheim Gelbvieh, Amherst, NE was purchased by Tom Chesnut of Alabama for $2,400. Reserve Champion Gelbvieh bull (Lot 23) consigned by September Farms, Franklin, NE was purchased by Choquette Farms, Franklin, NE for $1,500. High-selling Gelbvieh bull (Lot 5) consigned by Kleinschmidt Farms, Geneva, NE was purchased by Dave Kapperman, Ohiowa, NE for $2,500. A total of 27 2/3 bulls were sold for an average price of $1,581.

Grand Champion and high-selling Shorthorn heifer (Lot 32) consigned by Nathan Kolterman, Seward, NE was purchased by Kaleb McLain, Gill, CO for $5,150. Reserve grand champion Shorthorn heifer (Lot 49) consigned by Maurer and Vogel, Hartley, IA was purchased by Kaleb McLain, Gill, CO for $3,000. A total of 16 females were sold for an average price of $2,022.

Grand Champion and high-selling Shorthorn bull (Lot 25) consigned by 3 BC Shorthorn Farms, Pierce, NE was purchased by C.C. Cande’s Shorthorns, Apache, OK for $5,000. Reserve grand champion Shorthorn bull (Lot 5) consigned by Bakenhus Shorthorns, Columbus, NE was purchased by Eric Fleming, Smithburg, MD for $2,500.
Nathan Kolterman, Seward tied with the high-selling Shorthorn bull (Lot 13) which sold for $5,000 to H & M Shorthorns, Gordon, NE. A total of 24 2/3 interest in bulls sold for an average of $1,554.

Saturday’s Classic schedule features shows and sales for Maine Anjou, ChiMaine and ChiAngus breeds. At 7 p.m. breed activities climax with the parade of all breed champions for selection of the Pfizer Supreme Champions.  The awards, sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health, include $2,500 each to the consignors of the Supreme Champion bull and female and $1,000 each to the buyers.

Thursday, February 20, 2003      KEARNEY- The Big Valley FFA Livestock Handling Education Forum was included in Thursday’s “Classic” sizzling line-up that featured the hot investments made at the Angus and Simmental sales. Over 243 FFA students from Nebraska high schools took in the educational seminars that were provided for the youth to build a foundation for the future of the beef industry.

“The Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic strives to offer youth and today’s cattlemen tremendous opportunities at the week’s event in Kearney,” stated Ronette Bush, Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic Manager. “As of today, over 503 cattle producers from 17 states have registered to bid on quality stock sold at the 12th Annual Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic.”

Grand Champion Angus heifer (Lot 47) consigned by Bakenhus Shorthorns, Columbus, NE was purchased by David Vest, Pleasanton, NE for $2,800. Reserve Grand Champion Angus Heifer (Lot 67) consigned by A & B Cattle of Bassett, NE was purchased by Taylor Cattle Co, Hastings, NE for $2,600.

High-selling Angus heifer (Lot 58) consigned by Sand Dune Cattle Co, Sargent, NE was purchased by Salton Cattle Co, Ayshire, IA for $6,800. The average price paid for 21 Angus heifers was $2,269.

Grand Champion Angus bull (Lot 39x) consigned by Quirk Land & Cattle Co, Hastings, NE was purchased by Mike Grunewaldt, Miranda, SD for $5,000. Reserve Grand Champion Angus bull (Lot 38) consigned by Wayne and Barb Ohlrichs, Norfolk, NE was purchased by Dennis Beckmann, Smith Center, KS for $2,300.

High-selling Angus bull (Lot 11) consigned by Huebner Angus Ranch, Hershey, NE was purchased by Gary Jameson, Tryon, NE for $6,500. A total of 34 2/3 bulls were sold averaging $2,311.

Grand Champion Simmental heifer (Lot 27) consigned by Forster Simmentals, Smithfield, NE was purchased by Triple Creek Simmental, Greely, CO for $5,000. Reserve Grand Champion Simmental heifer (Lot 31) consigned by F Bar T Simmentals of Davey, NE was purchased by Doug Schmeeckle, Cozad, NE for $2,800. The average price paid for 9 Simmental heifers was $2,086.

Grand Champion Simmental bull (Lot 1) consigned by Suver Simmental, Arlington, NE was purchased by Charles G. Houtby, Wolbach, NE for $2,000. Reserve Grand Champion Simmental bull (Lot 2) consigned by Forster Simmentals, Smithfield, NE was purchased by Dan Kuszak, St. Paul, NE for $2,000. A total of 16 bulls were sold averaging $1,669.

Limousin, Gelbvieh and Shorthorn shows and sales are in the line-up for day four of the Classic tradition. Scheduled for 7 p.m. is the annual Replacement Heifer Pen of Five Sale featuring both open and bred heifers from over 35 consignors.

Saturday shows and sales feature Maine Anjou, Chimaine and Chiangus cattle, followed by selection of the Supreme Champion bull and female, from among the top animals representing 13 different breeds shown during the “Classic”.

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Wednesday, February 19, 2003      KEARNEY- The second day of the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic found registered buyers from fourteen different states seeing red as the dominant color as shows and sales were held for the Hereford, Polled Hereford and Red Angus breeds. Activities inside the Buffalo County Fairground buildings continued to reflect the warm temperatures outside.

Reserve grand champion heifer (Lot 26) consigned by Spencer Herefords, Brewster, NE became the top horned Hereford female seller at $2,800. John Harms of Urbana, IL won her on a bid of $2,800. Ashley Steckel, Taylor, NE purchased the grand champion heifer (Lot 29) consigned by Upstream Ranch, Taylor, NE for $2,300. A total of 6 heifers sold for an average price of $1,700.

The high-selling horned Hereford bull (Lot 10) from JC Cattle Co, Junction City, KS, also topped the afternoon Hereford auction when Dale Pound of Brownlee, NE purchased him for $4,250. The reserve champion bull (Lot 4) was consigned by Maahs Herefords, Lincoln, NE sold to Richard Bush, Riverton, NE for $1,300. A total of 22 bulls sold for an average price of $1,668.

S & S Polled Herefords, Guide Rock, NE consigned the grand champion female Polled Hereford (Lot 38) as the top-selling female. She sold to Mark Ditloff, Clarks, NE for $3,600. Marty Bunde, Doniphan, NE purchased the reserve grand champion Polled Hereford heifer (Lot 44) consigned by Stanley J McMahon & Sons if Ayr, NE for $1,000.

Three-quarter interest in the grand champion Polled Hereford Bull consigned by Helms Polled Hereford, Holbrook, NE went to Schutte & Sons, Guide Rock, NE for $3,500. Coming from Frenzen Polled Herefords, Fullerton, NE the reserve champion bull (Lot 13) sold ¾ interest to Pullen Cattle Company, Rapid City, SD for $1,400. Averages for the Polled Hereford auction were $1,655 for 32 ½ interest in bulls and $1,518 for 7 females.

Pieper Red Angus consigned the grand champion Red Angus Heifer (Lot 40) which sold as the high-selling female for $2,750 to Bannan Angus, Harrison, NE. The reserve champion heifer was purchased by Scholz Cattle Company, Atkinson, NE for $1,750 consigned by Panhandle Cattle Co, Lakeside, NE. The average price for 10 Red Angus females was $1,538.

Wrapping up Wednesday was the Red Angus Sale where 28 2/3 bulls sold for an average price of $1,903. Pieper Red Angus also claimed the Red Angus grand champion bull that sold to Dan Hooper, Merriman, NE for $4,000. The reserve champion bull (Lot 1) was consigned by Ory’s Circle 7 Red Angus, Rocky Comfort, MO and sold to Haussermann Cattle Co, Republican City, NE for $1,850.

The Classic strives to offer youth and today’s cattlemen tremendous opportunities at the week’s event in Kearney. “Thank you to Big Valley for sponsoring a full day of educational speakers that will continue to build a foundation for the future of the beef industry,” stated Ronette Bush, Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic Manager. The Big Valley FFA Livestock Handling Education Forum is included in Thursday’s “Classic” line-up featuring the Angus and Simmental shows and sales.
 

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Tuesday, February 18, 2003      KEARNEY –Livestock producers and ranchers were given a variety of offerings as the first Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic breed shows and sales got underway for the week long event at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds.   Added attractions included Stapleton, Nebraskan stock dog trainer Leland Paxton, putting his pups through their paces, a Ranch Horse competition throughout the day as well as a Braunvieh show and sale. The ranch horse sale rounded out day one of the 12th annual Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic in Kearney.

“Classic representatives are always looking for new avenues that will compliment the foundation of the 12 year old event,” stated Ronette Bush, Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic Manager. “We are very satisfied that the new first day line up brought buyers from an eleven state radius. Our activities certainly brought an added customer base for consignors and exhibitors.”

The high-selling Charolais female (Lot 30), consigned by Sonderup Charolais Ranch of Fullerton, NE was also named grand champion heifer.  The year old open heifer was sold to Ryan Wendt, Crofton, NE for $2,000. The reserve champion female (Lot 25) was consigned by West Fork Ranch, Loup City, NE and sold to Evergreen Trust,
St. Paul, NE for $1,550.

The high-selling Charolais bull (Lot 2) also came from Sonderup Charolais Ranch, Fullerton NE, and went to Darren Cook of Step Rock on a bid of $5,550. The champion Charolais bull (Lot 4), consigned by Devon Dells Charolais of Pleasant Dale, NE sold to Winz and sons of Holdrege, NE for $3,500.

A total of 22 bulls sold for an average of $1,897. The average selling price for 8 females was $1,275.

Rock Creek Braunvieh, Fairbury, NE (Lot 13) consigned the top-selling female to Bruce Smith of Georgia for $1,450. The champion Braunvieh heifer (Lot 15) was consigned by Richards Braunvieh Grafton, NE sold to Mark Sorensen, Wayne, NE.

Rock Creek Braunvieh of Fairbury, NE paraded the grand champion bull (Lot 4) and sold the high-selling male it to Blaine Richards, Grafton, NE for $3,500.

Judges Dennis Storms, Broken Bow, Kevin Winters, Erickson, and Howard White, Atchinson named Dan Seberger, Overton, NE the $1,000 Supreme Champion Horse winner sponsored by Merial. Seberger led a crowd-pleasing four year old bay gelding through his paces during the Ranch Horse competition. Clark Brown, North Platte, NE bought the gelding for $4,500.

The top-selling ranch horse, a 3 year old gelding was consigned by Shuda Paints & Quarter Horses. A favorite during the afternoon performance preview, I Smokey Bartender (Lot 17) went to Julie Larson, Malcom, NE for $4,800.

A total of 21 horses sold for an average price of $2,540.

Wednesday’s Classic agenda shines the spotlight on the Hereford, Polled Hereford and Red Angus breeds. A total of 13 breed shows and sales, Nebraska’s largest junior show, and a trade show including more than 100 exhibits are featured during the event, which runs through Sunday, February 23.
 

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