RBC | The county fair is long past and the Colorado State Fair has anointed Colorado Grand Champions. Summer jackpots are a memory to many county livestock youth. Yet ahead for
Rio Blanco is the Aksarben Stock Show in Nebraska. And that has become a new buzzword for Rio Blanco County youth exhibitors and breeders.
In the quality realm of the Colorado State Fair and the National Western Stock Show is the upcoming Aksarben Stock Show, Sept. 26-29 in Grand Island, Nebraska. The show began close to 100 years ago and is open to applicants 8-19 years old from 14 regional states.
Each year, approximately 1,300 regional exhibitors vie for showmanship scholarships and ring show awards. Their mission statement is, in part, “…celebrating the region’s agricultural heritage which educates and benefits families.” It’s a tough, but welcoming area: Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Recently, county breeders and exhibitors have been accepted to this show. Area beef, sheep, goat and swine entries will be shown by the local families of Rogers, Smith, Kilduff, Carroll and Gould. These families have offered powerhouse genetics and showmanship qualities from Rio Blanco County in recent years.
This year’s Rio Blanco County Fair livestock judge, hailing from Texas, recently commented that the county swine show was among the hardest shows he’s had to judge. Justin Carroll, a local swine breeder, was unable to make the Colorado State Fair, but heard that others attending the State Fair wanted very much to see what this county breeder had to offer for swine projects. Word is spreading that Rio Blanco County has quality industry show animals.
Not only does Aksarben offer shows for beef, sheep, swine and goat, but also broiler poultry.
Added contests offered are collegiate and youth livestock judging, a livestock quiz bowl, honor show fitting and agricultural public speaking, along with the National Anthem contest for the show. Beyond the Ring offerings are a study hall to get your homework done, a football field, younger kids’ time, a lending library, a college fair and a 5K fun run.
Those Rio Rio Blanco families attending the Aksarben Stock Show will undoubtedly represent Rio Blanco County well. Good luck, we’re behind you!