More than 100 head of live bison are headed to the National Western Stock Show next week for the National Bison Association’s annual Gold Trophy Show and Sale. Meanwhile, 400 bison ranchers and marketers will gather at the Renaissance Hotel Stapleton for the association’s 25th Anniversary conference featuring three days of presentations and discussions focused on continuing to grow the marketplace for deliciously healthy bison meat. All activities are open to the media.
The activities begin on Wednesday, January 22nd (renamed Bison Hump Day), and continue through Saturday, January 25th.
The iconic animals, the ranchers that raise them, and the experts scheduled to present at the association’s conference provide a bounty of potential visual images and interesting stories throughout the week. For more information, or to arrange any interviews, contact NBA Executive Director Dave Carter or Communications Director Karen Conley (contact information listed above).
AT THE STOCK SHOW
Wednesday in the Yards
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Roughly 100 head of bison will be arriving in the Yards at the National Western Stock Show, where they will be unloaded, sorted and penned by our skilled crew of Buffaleros.
Thursday in the Yards
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Bison judging will begin for the National Bison Association’s Gold Trophy Show and Sale.
Friday in the Yards
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Bison judging continues for the National Bison Association’s Gold Trophy Show and Sale.
9:30 a.m. – Noon – The annual bison Junior Judging competition takes place in the Stockyards Arena (in the Yards). Individuals and teams of Jr. – Sr. high school students will compete for three scholarship prizes.
2 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Buffaleros Demonstration. The NBA bison handlers will provide a live demonstration of low-stress handling techniques for bison.
Saturday in the Livestock Center Arena
10:30 a.m. – The National Bison Association Gold Trophy Sale will begin in the Livestock Center sale arena. This features the top breeding stock from across North America.
Members of the media wanting to conduct interviews of any subject pertaining to bison are encouraged to call/text Dave Carter at 303.594.4420, or Karen Conley at 605.381.3738.
AT THE DENVER RENAISSANCE STAPLETON
Wednesday
1:45 p.m. Laurie Demeritt, CEO, the Hartman Group – Health and Sustainability – The Bison Sweet Spot. Ms. Demeritt heads the nation’s largest consumer research firm specializing in the health and wellness (natural and organic) segment of the marketplace.
4:45 p.m. Greg Ibach, USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulation – Traceability: The Foundation of Herd Health and Consumer Confidence. Mr. Ibach oversees the USDA’s marketing and regulatory mission. Programs under his supervision include the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the Agricultural Marketing Service
Thursday
9:30 a.m. – Noon – NBA Mentor’s Session, featuring seven experienced bison ranchers sharing their knowledge and advice with newcomers to the business. This session is designed to help newcomers to the bison business get a successful start.
12:45 p.m. Rob Bleifer, Executive Chef and Vice President of Culinary, Food Network. Chef Bleifer is responsible for managing a kitchen of 18, hands-on food styling and cooking for special events, coordinating with network production teams, chef/hosts, guest chefs, photographers, and network departments. His on-line bio also mentions that, if he weren’t a chef, he would be a bison rancher.
Learn more at bisoncentral.com.