2000/2001 Abstract
University of Nebraska

Premier Animal Science Events: July 10, 2000

Livestock Judging Events that had previously been held during the Nebraska State Fair are now held in a two-day event, Premier Animal Science Events. Block and Bridle was asked to host an evening activity for all of the participants of the contest. Block and Bridle members rented the bowling alley, rented videos, provided popcorn and pop for all of the participants. It was a time for members and executives to meet and visit with students concerning the club, campus, campus life, and any questions they had about college.

Big Red Welcome: August 20, 2000

Big Red Welcome is hosted for all incoming freshman and is a time for University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL) students to see various organizations and services offered by the University. Block and Bridle hosted a booth, where informational brochures were given out by all of the current executive officer team. Officers talked to students who stopped and gave candy away as they stopped.

State Fair Beef Pit: August 26, 2000

During the Nebraska State Fair the Nebraska Cattleman’s Association has a “Beef Pit” on the midway where they serve steaks and barbecued beef to state fair visitors. Annually, they request the help of the Block and Bridle club to run this activity for one of the afternoons. We donated time to take orders, serve customers, and clean tables.

State Fair Herdsmanship Judging: September 1-4, 2000

During the Labor Day weekend, members of Block and Bridle evaluated 4-H participants on the appearance of the exhibit area. We were responsible for the areas of beef, sheep, dairy and swine. The areas are evaluated twice a day for a period of 4 days; so many members are involved.

Steak Fry: September 8, 2000

The second annual Steak Fry was hosted as a way to kick off the fall semester. It was held in conjunction with a UNL Alumni event to celebrate the Judging Pavilion on campus and a campus wide dance, Prairie Stomp, for the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. It is a recruitment activity, where many students attend, but also provides faculty interaction, as they help serve the meal with the members of Block and Bridle. We served over 320 people in a two-hour time period.

Little Ak-Sar-Ben: October 6, 2000

A showing event for the students on campus, the contest includes 4 different species of livestock: cattle, sheep, swine and horses. There is a novice or expert division for students to show in. The students and members are judged on their ability to present and show the animal to the judge, who is either a faculty member or expert within that species. Members and officers opened the building the week before so contestants had the opportunity to work with the animals to wash, groom, clip, and fit the animals as needed.

Fall and Spring Kid’s Day: November 8, 2000 and March 1, 2001

Each semester Block and Bridle hosts a Kid’s Day in the Animal Science arena where they invite preschools, elementary schools, and day cares within the Lincoln area. Block and Bridle members are stationed at the various animals to explain important aspects of every animal, as well as providing informational brochures from the Nebraska Cattleman’s Association and the Nebraska Pork Producers Council, and the Poultry Council. The animals featured included: cattle, sheep, swine, mice, chickens, goats, dairy cows, horses, miniature ponies, and a llama.

Little Market Animal Evaluation Contest – Market and Breeding: December 1, 2000

Members help with registration, leading groups, stirring livestock, and scoring for this contest. Students are entered as either junior or senior division and they judge 10 classes of livestock. They are also asked to answer questions on some of the classes and evaluate two of the animals for their carcass characteristics.

Holiday Gathering: December 8, 2000

This is the final Block and Bridle event of the year and semester. This year the Block and Bridle members and officers baked cookies before the event and then served them at a reception to honor the winners of the Market Animal Evaluation Contest – Market and Breeding Division. All Animal Science students, faculty, staff, and graduate students are invited as well as all Block and Bridle members.

National Block and Bridle Meeting: January 17-21, 2001

Seven of our members and executive team members attended the National Block and Bridle meeting with one of our advisors. They attended all of the speakers and went on the various tours. b Market Animal Evaluation Contest – Meat Division: March 20, 2001 This is the second division of the Market Animal Evaluation Contest, where students are again assigned to either a junior or senior division. The participants judge seven classes and answer questions on two classes. The classes judged include beef carcasses, yield grading, quality grading, lamb carcasses, hams, pork carcasses, and retail cuts. The Block and Bridle members helped with registration, group leading, and scoring of this contest.

Big Red Beef Show: March 24, 2001

This activity was held at the Lancaster County Event Center. Publications are sent to the surrounding counties, where calves are shown in market, commercial breeding, and several-registered breed categories. Block and Bridle members are responsible for registration, arranging classes, announcing the show, arranging the judge, handing out ribbons, and cleaning after the show.

College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Week: March 24-29, 2001

The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources hosts a week to promote agriculture and invites clubs on campus to sponsor nightly activities. Block and Bridle sponsored a night and brought in John Ward, a speaker on Barbed Wire and Windmills. He brought slides and had a very informative session.

State FFA Contest – Selection: April 5, 2001

State FFA Contest – Management: April 6, 2001

At the State FFA Contest, the Block and Bridle Club helps with both the Selection and Management contests. The Selection Contest consists of 3 beef, 2 swine, and 2 sheep classes. The members are needed to register participants, be group leaders, stir livestock, and do all of the scoring for the Selection Contest. They are also responsible for registration, moderating the contest with faculty, scoring contests, and helping with recording scores for the Management Contest.

Honors Banquet: April 27, 2001

This is a Block and Bridle tradition that marks the end of another successful academic year. Club members, animal science students, and various judging teams are recognized for their outstanding achievements both in the classroom and in their extracurricular activities. The Block and Bridle club organizes the event, from decorating, planning the menu, ticket sales, and selecting an Honoree. The Honoree is an individual who has made significant contributions to animal agriculture. This year's honoree was Mrs. Sallie Atkins who is the Executive Director of the Nebraska Beef Council and owns cow/calf ranch with her family in Halsey, Nebraska.

Executive Team: President – Jill Walahoski; Vice President – Matt Rassmussen, Treasurer – Renee McFee; Secretary – Hilary Maricle; Historian – Sarah Lanik; Assistant Historian – Megan Voss; Marshall – Emily Buescher; Assistant Marshall – Justan Wynegar; Ambassadors – Paul Guenther and Lori Preister; Social Chair – Don Moss; Program Chair – Doug Parde

Advisors: Senior Advisor - Jim Gosey; Junior Advisor – Merlyn Nielsen; Freshman Advisor – Rodger Johnson
 

Chapter Abstracts