A first time foray into the big time netted a Red Angus breeder the premier exhibitor award at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado, Jan 14.
“I’ve only ever shown two Red Angus. I thought I would give it a whirl,” Mike McDonald said.
He had attended the show in past years as an observer and decided to enter six animals.
All placed first, second or third in their respective classes. Those placings earned points that resulted in the exhibitor award.
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He participated in an online auction, where his four heifer show calves and a yearling bull sold to buyers in Tennessee, Texas, Nebraska and Kansas.
Most were sold to people who plan to use them as show cattle.
He participated in the Denver show partly to promote his spring bull sale and also to get more involved in the show side of the business.
“Now that I’ve got the itch to show more, I’ll see where it goes,” he said.
McDonald and his wife, Shannon, run Windy Hill Livestock, southwest of Moose Jaw, Sask., where they raise purebred Red Angus and grain farm.