Beef Empire Days is underway in Garden City, with 30 different events scheduled May 31 through June 9 to celebrate cattle feeding and the beef industry. One highlight will be the fed cattle show, June 4 at 9:00 a.m. at the Finney County Fairgrounds. More than 100 head of hand-sorted fed cattle from feedyards in several states are expected to compete in the show. Oklahoma State University Assistant Professor of Applied Animal Science Blake Bloomberg will judge the cattle.
Following the live show, cattle will be transported to Tyson Fresh Meats at Holcomb where the carcass show will take place. Oklahoma State University Meat Science Professor Gretchen Mafi will judge the carcass show June 7. Winners of the live and carcass shows will be announced that evening during the awards banquet starting at 6:00 at the Clarion Inn.
Other notable events on the Beef Empire Days schedule include the ranch rodeo June 1; feedlot team roping and barrel racing June 2; cattle working contest June 6; and chuckwagon breakfast, parade and grill master cook-off June 8. A complete schedule can be found in the May/June Kansas Stockman, at www.beefempiredays.com or on Facebook.
This is the 51st year for the event, which started in 1967 when Producers Packing Company Plant Manager John Dohogne and cattle feeder Earl Brookover organized the first live and carcass shows. The Mary Hopkins Award, named after the long-time Beef Empire Days director, will be awarded this year to Garden City cattleman Sam Hands.