DENVER, Colo. – 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, Colo. 

Successful catchers will receive their calf in May 2019 to begin feeding the calf to market finish, and must show and sell their calf at the 2020 National Western Stock Show. 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 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 apply online at: http://www.nationalwestern.com/livestock-shows/catch-a-calf-contest or check with their local Nebraska Extension Office.  

To apply, applicants must be between the ages of 12 and 18 as of Dec. 31, 2018, and must be enrolled in 4-H at the time of application. Applicants must have parental as well as Extension educator consent in order to submit an application. Selected 4-H member applicants will be sent details regarding participation before January 2018.    

Applications and forms are due no later than Dec. 1, 2018. Information about the Catch-A-Calf Contest can be found on the National Western Stock Show website at: http://results.nationalwestern.com/catch-a-calf/. 

Contact local Nebraska Extension offices or Rob Eirich, Extension Educator and coordinator of the Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program, at 308-632-1230 for more information and an application regarding the 2019 National Western Stock Show Catch-A-Calf Contest.