Livestock show: Great Northern Livestock Expo brings competitive livestock to Wyoming
Cheyenne – A livestock show created by ranchers, for ranchers is coming to Cheyenne Nov. 15-30. The inaugural Great Northern Livestock Exposition is an event aimed at preserving western heritage and providing stockmen the opportunity to promote and showcase the elite genetics of their herds.
Great Northern Livestock Exposition CEO/President Louann Fraser and Foundation President Dale Steenbergen brought the idea of holding a cattle show at the Archer Complex in Cheyenne to life after discussing the prospect of providing more opportunities for producers.
“We decided the Archer Complex would be perfect for a cattle show and decided to go forward with it,” Fraser shared. “We’ve got a big village of people helping us.”
The Great Northern Livestock Exposition team includes Fraser, Steenbergen, Vice President Chad Wright, Executive Vice President Tari Hoagland, Livestock Coordinator Bill Angell, Consultant Gene Stillahn and Directors Brian Allmers, Van Niedig and Kelli Toledo.
Cattle events
According to the Great Northern Livestock Exposition, the event will feature open and junior cattle breed shows, including point shows for the following breeds: American Highland, Charolais, Chianina, Limousin, Maine-Anjou, Miniature Hereford and Simmental. The American Angus Association added premiums for the Angus Open Show.
According to Fraser, a total of $80,000 in cash prizes will be available, with $10,000 awarded to the exhibitors of the Supreme Champion Bull and the Supreme Champion Female during the Great Northern Open Supreme Galas, as well as the Junior Show Supreme Champion Female and the Supreme Champion Market Steer. A prize of $5,000 will be awarded to the exhibitor of the Prospect Steer and Heifer Show Supreme Champion.
Market and prospect shows will also offer showmanship classes.
A Great Northern “All American” Angus Female Sale will also take place during the event. In addition, the event will host the Great Northern Lights Prospect Sale, featuring top steers and heifers.
Other attractions
In addition to numerous cattle events, the Great Northern Livestock Exposition will hold a junior sheep and goat market show, with $5,000 awarded to the exhibitors of the Supreme Champion Market Lamb and Supreme Champion Market Goat.
The Great Northern Livestock Exposition will also host a stock dog trial event, provide live entertainment and host a 2021 Ford F-150 raffle.
“We are going to hold a Thanksgiving dinner for all of the exhibitors, staff and the visiting public, too,” shared Fraser. “We want to treat everyone like a big family, because this is what showing livestock means to us.”
Averi Hales is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
