New tradition for the National Angus Bull Sale
For more than a century, the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) in Denver, Colo., has been a focal point of the U.S. cattle industry.
In celebration of that heritage, the American Angus Association will host a new evening event as part of the NWSS on Jan. 11, 2017, in the historic Stadium Arena. Activities will combine the Angus Foundation Heifer Package, the National Angus Bull Sale and live entertainment. The sale will be followed by the Texas-based band, Jake Hooker and the Outsiders.
“Not only will Angus breeders and commercial cattlemen have a unique opportunity to purchase and merchandise breed-leading genetics, but we’re also enthused about the opportunity this event represents to bring together cattle producers from across the country in a new venue,” says David Gazda, Association regional manager and sale manager. “It’ll be a great event for Angus — one that people will really enjoy attending — in one of the industry’s great, historic settings.”
The National Angus Bull Sale is the only one managed by the member-driven organization, and attracts consignors and buyers from throughout the country.
It begins with a show competition starting at 8 a.m., where a panel of judges will evaluate the entries. Kyle Gillooly, Wadley, Ga.; Andy Musgrave, Pittsfield, Ill.; and Jim Vietheer, Wilton, Calif., will place the bulls using a composite system. Prospective buyers in attendance will be invited into the showring to inspect the bulls after the grand and reserve grand champions have been selected.
Auctioneer Joe Goggins of Billings, Mont., will cry this year’s sale, which will begin in the Stadium Arena (note new location) immediately after the sale of the Angus Foundation Heifer Package at 5 p.m.
Consign bulls early and save
Consignments received on or before Sept. 15 carry an entry fee of $400 per head. From Sept. 16 through the Oct. 1 entry deadline, the fee is $500 per head. All bulls consigned must be entered in the NWSS.
In addition, bulls must be genomic-trait-tested and possess a complete set of expected progeny differences (EPDs) and dollar value indexes ($Values). Bulls born before Jan. 1, 2016, must have passed a complete breeding soundness examination (sometimes referred to as a BSE), including both physical and semen, within 30 days of the sale.
Awards will be presented to the consignors of the grand champion and reserve grand champion sale bulls.
• Grand champion bull will receive a $2,500 cash prize plus other awards totaling $5,000. These awards include an embroidered award jacket, a full-page color ad in the Angus Journal and a genomic test package.
• Reserve grand champion will receive a $1,000 cash prize plus other awards totaling $3,500. These awards include an embroidered award jacket, a full-page color ad in the Angus Journal and a genomic test package.
• Division champions and reserve champions will each receive $100 and $50 cash prizes, respectively, and an embroidered award vest.
To sign up, download an entry form and list of rules online. Contact Gazda at 706-296-7846 or Sarah Hixson in the Association’s events and education department at 816-383-5100.