Or as Mike McClure says ‘Cow Convention’ (read the previous post).

Okay so I grew up raising cattle, and my family still does, so the beef industry is very important to us.  Every year the Texas CattleWomen have a competition known as the Texas Beef Leaders of Tomorrow Contest, they select four out of the contestants to travel the state with them all year and educate people about the importance and nutrition of Beef.  The top point earner in the competition goes on to Nationals, and the Texas bunch has almost made it a tradition to have someone make that team.  Congratulations to these four great, entertaining and very smart ‘kids’. (I can say that, Im old!)  So last year I volunteered to help out by taking pictures and did the same this year, its always a lot of fun to get to meet the kids although it does make me feel really old.These are last years winners, from Left to Right – BoDavid Williford, Jordan Symon, Austin “Pimp” Joyce (who went to the National Competition and made it on the National Team) and Trevor King.This is Mason Parrish, he was on the team two years ago and was the state FFA president this past year, he starts at Texas A&M in the fall, remember his name he will probably be Ag Commissioner or Governor one day (Lord Help Us All! – Love you Mase)

Here are some shots of the other contestants, they all did great, and I hope that the ones that didn’t make the team and are still eligible will come back next year.  

Drumroll Please…..this years winners are…..from left to right – Codi Coulter, Charley (I’m a lucky guy can’t you tell) Martinez, Lauren Grainger and high point winner who will move on to compete at Nationals Emily Jack.  Congrats again!  More info on each below. Codi Coulter of Naples, Texas, is a freshman at Texas Tech University majoring in Agricultural Leadership. She was active in FFA where she held several offices and competed in multiple leadership, career development and speaking events. She was a member of the National Honor Society and the editor of the school newspaper. Codi shows Santa Gertrudis cattle and currently serves as the Mid-Coast Santa Gertrudis Association President and on the National Junior Santa Gertrudis Association Board of Directors as Secretary

Charley Martinez of Desoto, Texas, is a sophomore at Texas A&M University-Kingsville majoring in Agriculture Business-Ranch Management. Charley currently serves as the Texas Junior Simmental/Simbrah Association Treasurer and was President in 2010-2011. He was awarded the Bronze Merit award in the American Junior Simmental Association Merit Program as well as other awards. Charley is on the Texas A&M-Kingsville livestock judging team and will be a member of the inaugural meats judging team in 2012

Lauren Grainger of Brenham, Texas, a fourth generation rancher, is a freshman at Texas Tech University majoring in Agricultural Communications. She was active in FFA where she held several offices including Chapter President. She was also a member of the Brenham High School Theatre Department. Lauren shows Santa Gertrudis cattle and serves on the National Junior Santa Gertrudis Association Board of Directors as Chairman of the Communications/Social Committee

Emily Jack of Giddings, Texas, is a freshman at Texas A&M University majoring in Animal Science. She was home educated and attended a college preparatory academy interning in Pre-Calculus. She gained college credit for both Calculus I and II as a high school senior and is a member of Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society. Emily was team captain of her basketball team and is a gymnast. She plans on attending veterinarian school in the future.

A big thank you to the Texas Cattle Women for having such a great program and to the women who devote so much time to these kids, Rosemary, Anne, Melissa and all of the rest of you wonderful women you do a great job and thank you for doing it.

Also a thank you to Anderson Bean Boots for outfitting this years winners with new boots, really cool of them to do that and I know the kids appreciate it.