Attractions

Beef Challenge Winners Earn Scholarship Dollars

Published

10 years ago

February 17, 2015

NTFR

FORT WORTH, TEXAS – Macey Barber, an FFA member from Henrietta, took home a $16,000 scholarship at the 119th annual Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo through the eighth annual Heifer Superintendent’s Beef Challenge which tested the youth’s knowledge on beef cattle production.

“One of the Stock Show’s missions is to continue encouraging young people to pursue careers in livestock and agri-business through programs and incentives especially tailored to their interests,” said Brad Barnes, president and general manager of the Fort Worth Stock
Show & Rodeo. “Junior exhibitors learn many valuable life lessons during their years of
showing livestock, which will serve them well throughout their lives. With the help of Devon Energy’s continued commitment to this scholarship contest, it has created an additional opportunity to help enhance the future of the livestock industry. It’s important to the Stock Show that we have this support from Devon Energy and our other sponsors. It makes for a great partnership.”

The competition was open to junior heifer show exhibitors that are high school seniors and who have exhibited heifers a minimum of two years at the Fort Worth Stock Show, including the current 2015 show. Participants took a written exam and the top scores advanced to the next level, giving a two-minute oral presentation on why ranchers should use the breed of heifer shown by the exhibitor. In total, eleven high school seniors from Texas earned scholarships this year through the Beef Challenge.

Initiated in 2008 by the superintendents of the Stock Show’s junior heifer show, the scholarship program allows junior exhibitors to use the knowledge they gain in the classroom and the project barn to help pay for a college education. “The future of the beef industry is dependent upon having well educated individuals in cattle production. With Devon’s continued support of this valuable program and the support of the other sponsors, we are identifying students already headed in the right direction and are able to reward them with scholarships,” said Dr. Tom Woodward, long-time superintendent for the Junior Heifer Show. Devon has been a partner since the program’s inception.
“As a longtime supporter of youth and education initiatives, Devon is proud to play a role in providing this year’s best and brightest high school seniors with a total of $110,000 in scholarships. Since 2008, we have given away scholarships to 65 students, totaling $430,000,” said Jay Ewing, Devon’s North Texas field operations manager. “This program is a great way to assist Texas youth with their continuing education.”

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Attractions

Oak Meadow Ranch

Published

4 weeks ago

October 30, 2024

NTFR

On The Road With Dave Alexander

Rarely will you find an event center that includes a music venue, a steakhouse and a wildlife refuge all rolled into one.

Oak Meadow Ranch has been welcoming guests for over two decades with one thing in mind, your complete happy experience.

The Chef Dinner and Exotic Animal Experience includes a four-course meal followed by a hands-on experience with exotic animals.

You can catch up with Dave at the Birthplace of Western Swing Festival in Fort Worth, Texas on November 7, or at the Irving Symphony Orchestra in Irving, Texas on November 9. To read more about his experience at Oak Meadow Ranch, pick up a copy of the October edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print.

To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.

Attractions

Ag Elsewhere: Montana

Published

4 weeks ago

October 29, 2024

NTFR

By: Lindsey Monk

On Aug. 22, 2024 at 11:40 p.m., the Remington fire jumped the line in Wyoming to burn towards Montana at a high rate of speed. The fire burned 194,459 acres and over 41 miles from one end to the other in a span of two days. Livestock producers will be feeling the effects for years to come.

Pick up a copy of the October edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.

Attractions

State Fair of Texas & GO TEXAN Program

Published

2 months ago

September 15, 2024

NTFR

State Fair of Texas

By: Hannah Claxton | Editor

The GO TEXAN program is a Texas Department of Agriculture initiative dedicated to showcasing and supporting Texas based busi- nesses. During the State Fair of Texas, held in Dallas each year, the program puts together the GO TEXAN pavilion. Within the pavilion, presented by Southwest Dairy Farmers, visitors have the opportunity to sample and shop Texas-based products, learn more about agriculture and participate in family-friendly activities.

In 2023, more than $1 million in revenue was generated across nearly 67,000 products sold. Businesses with products produced or processed in Texas are invited to apply to join the program, and can visit http:// www.gotexan.org/JOIN to apply.

When visiting the State Fair of Texas, make sure to visit the GO TEXAN pavilion to support businesses driving agricultural commerce and explore Texas agricultural commodities outside of North Texas.

The State Fair of Texas is held each year in the fall, and is considered to be the first of the “majors” shows for many students involved in showing livestock. Cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, and even llamas all have a class to enter at the fair.

For those not showing livestock, over a hundred creative arts classes are available to enter. Canned goods, photography, quilts, paintings, and butter sculptures are all displayed throughout the fair’s duration. Another contest judges a variety of antique collections and keeps them on display throughout the duration of the fair.

It’s not the State Fair of Texas without world-renowned food. The Big Tex Choice Awards contest has solidified the State Fair of Texas as the top Fair for great food creations. Each year, State Fair concessionaires fry up tasty and unique foods for a chance to become a finalist in the annual Big Tex Choice Awards competition.

The 2024 Finalists in the Savory category are: Dominican Fritura Dog (by Justin Martinez), The Drowning Taquitos (by Tony & Terry Bednar), Hippie Chips (by Rose and Tom Deschenes), Hot Chick-In- Pancake Poppers (by Palmer and Amanda Fortune), Texas Fried Burnt End Bombs (by Nick and Vera Burt).

In the Sweet category, the 2024 Finalists are: Nevins Nutty Bar- Laska (by Tami Nevins Mayes & Josie Mayes), Rousso’s Cotton Candy Bacon On A Stick (by Isaac Rousso), Strawberry Pop-Tarts Beignettfle (by Justin Martinez), Texas Sugar Rush Pickles (by Heather Perkins), and Tropical Two-Step Punch (by Binh Tran).

Livestock & contests schedule of events is available in the September issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.