Friday, February 27, 1998

Brown County ranch wins Angus Show at Houston

By J.T. Smith / Abilene Reporter-News

Byler Angus Farms of Bangs exhibited the Grand Champion Bull in the Open Angus Show at the ongoing 1998 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.

The Brown County ranch took the victory with "Byler Fly Traveler 138."

Byler had hauled only two animals to Houston for the big show -- so it was a great win for the ranch, said John Byler, son of Wendell Byler, the ranch owner.

"I've been after this win with this full for a year," Byler said. "This bull has been reserve (champion) several times, but this is his first grand champion win."

Byler Angus Farms has been in the cattle business since 1962 and runs more than 100 cows. This was its first open competition at Houston.

Goldthwaite ranch also winner

"AB's Blackbird" was the Grand Champion Angus Female of the Houston show.

The champion is owned by Jim Ed Garren, 20, son of Mary Ann and Jed Garren of Goldthwaite.

The top female was bred by A.B. and Shay Mannis of Hillsboro.

The Garren family, in the cattle business for 40 years, owns 75 registered Angus cows in Mills County.

Jim Ed was raised around the cattle business and is no stranger to the Houston show.

He showed the Grand Champion Angus Steer in 1990 at the Junior Market Steer Show. Garren also came through with the 1996 State Junior Champion Bred and Owned Angus Female and the 1995 State Junior Champion Bred and Owned Angus Bull.

Doug and Jane Satree of Montague showed "B&D Queen Ruth" to Reserve Champion Female honors.

"We always like to come (to Houston) but we have never shown our own cattle here before," Jane Satree said.

While they are new to showing at Houston, the Satrees have shown at the West Texas Fair here in Abilene for years.

In fact, B&D Queen Ruth previously had won at the 1997 West Texas Fair's Open Angus Show in September.

Of the three animals they took to Houston this year, the took reserve grand female honors, reserve heifer calf champion, and reserve junior champion bull calf accolades.

The Satrees have been in the commercial cattle business for 30 years. The Angus show was judged by Chuck Brost, manager of Anderson Circle Farm, Harrodsburg, Ky.

Jackson Herefords of Ranger scores big

Jackson Hereford Ranch of Ranger showed the Reserve Grand Champion Bull, "JJ Primestar 676" in the Open Hereford Show at Houston.

His dam was Champion Hereford Scramble Heifer Calf in 1993. Tye Jackson, son of Robert Joe and Dena Jackson, had caught and raised the animal as his first heifer. Mike and Pat Aldredge of Houston sponsored the scramble calf.

"It's neat that we're able to see where our investment went," Pat Aldredge said.

"We're glad that the Aldredges could see their sponsorship money was for a lifetime project -- not just for a year," Dena Jackson said.

Jackson Hereford Ranch has been in the cattle business for 60 years and owns 350 Hereford cows. The Jacksons have exhibited at Houston since 1993. They also showed the 1995 Grand Champion Hereford Bull.

Mississippi rancher Jack Evans judged the Hereford show.

"Most heifers in the show ring were big, powerful individuals, feminine and correct -- with eye appeal," Evans said. "Most of the bulls were muscular down their tops and through their stifles."

Evans has 200 Hereford cows and 125 Angus cows at his ranch at Winona, Miss.

He said he considered the junior bull calf class the toughest to judge at Houston.

Stewman Ranch stands out in Limousin show

The Stewman Ranch of Maryneal had the Division I Reserve Champion Female of the Open Limousin Show at Houston with "OTSS Demi."

Tom and Helen Stewman also had the Division III Reserve Champion Female with "OTSS Miss Polled China."

The overall Reserve Grand Champion Female, OTSS Miss Gretchen was shown by Matthew D. Wilkinson of Colmesneil. It as a Stewman-bred female.

Meanwhile, in the bull show, Stewman Ranch had the Division III Grand Champion Bull with "OTSS Captain Crunch."

A mighty big showing by the Nolan County ranch at Houston.