Junior Livestock Champions Sold - National Western Stock Show

Last night, the eight top Junior Livestock Champion animals from the 2015 Denver National Western Stock Show were sold at auction, and brought their student-owners $319,000 for scholarship monies.  Six of the auctions were televised last night, by KUSA, and it was wonderful to see the youngsters proudly show the championship that they have raised, groomed, and loved.
   The Grand Champion Steer, raised and shown by 17-year-old Shilo Schaake, from Westmoreland, Kansas, was purchased for $100,000 by Calcon Constructors, Inc.
   The Reserve Grand Champion Steer, raised and shown by 11 -year-old Triniti Scott, from Burlington, Colorado, was sold for $55,000.
   The Grand Champion Hog, raised and shown by 11-year-old Garrison Straka, from Yukon, Oklahoma, brought a bid of $36,000 from the Anadarko Petroleum Corporation.
   The Reserve Grand Champion Hog, raised and shown by 16-year-old Madison Lynch, from Cleveland, Texas, brought in a record-setting price of $34,000 from the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.
   The Grand Champion Lamb, raised and shown by 17-year-old Jenna Frink, of Eaton, Colorado, was sold for an all-time record of $40,000 to Transwest Trucks, Inc.  Jenna plans to attend Colorado State University.
   The Reserve Grand Champion Lamb, raised and shown by 16-year-old Laura Winn, of Moriarty, New Mexico, also brought an all-time record bid of $23,000 from Colorado Business Bank.
   The Grand Champion Goat, raised and shown by 13-year-old Aspen Martin, from Mason, Texas, accrued a winning bid of $16,000 from EKS & H, LLLP.
    The Reserve Grand Champion Goat, raised and shown by 18-year-old Brandon Schovanec, from Garber, Oklahoma, received a winning bid of $15,000 from the STEPS Foundation.

My congratulations go to each and every one of these fine young people - future farmers and livestock growers for our country.  I would never have been able to do what these youngsters have done - invest time, love, sweat, and companionship with an animal that is either destined for slaughter, or for a breeding program, never to be seen again.  I am too soft-hearted and too sentimental.  I love to eat meat, but, like my Mom, and Rosie, her pet pig - I wouldn't be able to eat her - not with other food available.  I suppose that if I had been raised on a cattle, swine, sheep, or goat farm that routinely slaughtered and ate its' stock, I wouldn't have a problem.  But I just can't stomach the thought of eating a pal and friend...