2010 NATIONAL WESTERN 4-H CATCH-A-CALF APPLICANTS WANTED

A limited number of 4-H members have the opportunity to catch a calf each January during the National Western Stock Show held in Denver, Colorado. Successful catchers will receive their calf in May 2010 to begin feeding the calf to a market finish. Youth must show their calf at the National Western Stock Show in January 2011. The calves used for this contest are bought with money donated by business sponsors.

Top achievers of the Catch-A-Calf Contest are recognized for their record keeping abilities, relationships with sponsors primarily through correspondence, and showmanship skills. Rate-of Gain and carcass value are also important in evaluating top achievers along with the live animal evaluation.

4-H members from Western Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, and Kansas are eligible to submit applications. However, any 4-H member who has previously caught a calf in the 4-H Catch-A-Calf Contest is not eligible to apply. 4-H members may obtain applications from county UNL-Extension Educators.

To apply, applicants must be between the ages of 12 and 18 as of December 31, 2009 and must be enrolled in 4-H at the time of application. Applicants must also have parental consent and Extension Educator consent in order to submit an application. Selected 4-H member applicants will be sent details regarding participation before January, 2010.

Applications are due to Dinah Peebles (2775 Hwy 50; P.O. Box 20,000-5028; Grand Junction, Colorado; 81502-5028) postmarked no later than December 1, 2009. Information about the Catch-A-Calf Contest can be found on the National Western Stock Show website at: www.NationalWestern.com/cac . Contact your local extension office for more information and an application regarding the 2010 Catch-A-Calf Contest.