2000/2001 Abstract
University of Nebraska

Premier Animal Science Events: June 25, 2001

Nebraska 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 (PASE).  This has been a two-year venture and Block and Bridle has been there each year.  Block and Bridle was asked to host an evening activity for all of the participants of the contest. The bowling alley was rented as well as we rented videos and provided popcorn and pop for all of the participants. It was a time for members of Block and Bridle to meet with students who are still in high school.  The topics of interest from students ranged from concerns about campus, campus life, and about what Block and
Bridle does.

State Fair Beef Pit: August 25, 2001

The Beef Pit on the Midway at the Nebraska State Fair has always been a favorite for anyone who attends the fair.  The Nebraska Cattleman's Association has invited Block and Bridle help them with this event as they serve prime rib, barbecued beef, and other beef products to hungry visitors.  We are in charge of the event for the afternoon and deal with food serving, cleaning, and working with the customers.  We donated time to take orders, serve customers, and clean tables.

Big Red Welcome: August 25, 2001

At the start of a new school year, the University of Nebraska - Lincoln (UNL) hosts a get to know you event for all of the students on campus, with a special emphasis on all of the incoming students.  It provides them a chance to meet and get introduced to the various organizations and services offered by the University. Informational brochures and candies were then items that Block and Bridle members and executive officers gave out at the booth that we hosted.  We also used this event to advertise the upcoming events to a multitude of students who would not typically hear about Block and Bridle.

State Fair Herdsmanship Judging: September 1-3, 2001

Another event that takes place at the Nebraska State Fair is Herdsmanship judging for the 4-H students animal exhibits.  During the Labor Day weekend, members of Block and Bridle evaluated 4-H participants on the appearance of the exhibit area. The areas of beef, sheep, dairy and swine are where our attentions were focused.   We were to analyze and inspect the areas twice a day for a period of 3 days, which required the assistance of many student members.

Steak Fry: September 7, 2001

With the help of some very wonderful sponsors, Block and Bridle wanted to start the school off right!  The Third Annual Steak Fry was hosted as a way to kick off the fall semester.  This was the pre-celebration for a wonderful school year and Prairie Stomp, a college-wide dance for the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, followed the Steak Fry. Block and Bridle uses the Steak Fry as a recruitment activity, where many students are invited to attend.  We also use many students and members to help serve the meal of steaks, beans, a salad, and drink.  This night also allows for the Animal Science faculty to interact with us, as they help serve the meal with the members of Block and Bridle. We served over 350 people in a two-hour time period.

Little Ak-Sar-Ben: October 11, 2001

In the Animal Science Building Arena is a livestock showing event for any and all students on campus.  This contest includes 4 different species of livestock: cattle, sheep, swine and horses.  Students have the opportunity to work with the animals to wash, groom, clip, and fit the animals as needed before the show as members and officers open the building the week before for contestants.  For those students who have not shown before, the more experienced contestants help them to get prepared.  There is also a novice and 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 an Animal Science faculty member or graduate student within that species.

Fall and Spring Kid's Day: November 7, 2001 and March 7, 2002

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 to attend. 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.  The younger students are also given rides on the Animal Science Department's two plastic horses, which is a definite highlight of the day!

National Block and Bridle Meeting: November 8-11, 2001

This year, five of our members and executive team officers were able to attend the National Block and Bridle Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. They attended many different speakers and were able to visit a Charolais farm, the Kentucky Horse Park, and others.  They were also able to attend and participate in talks to gain a new perspective on the animal industry.

Little Market Animal Evaluation Contest (MAEC) - Market and Breeding
Division: December 7, 2001

Another contest to get students and members to get out of the classroom is the MAEC contest where members can help with registration, leading groups, stirring livestock, and scoring for this contest.  Members are also invited and encouraged to participate and judge the classes.   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 three of the animals for their carcass characteristics.

Holiday Gathering: December 14, 2001

The Holiday Gathering serves as the year-end event and the semester wrap up, as it is the final Block and Bridle hosts for the year.  Baking cookies again this year was one responsibility of Block and Bridle members and officers before the event.  They were also in charge of inviting all Animal Science faculty and graduate students.  A reception is hosted and members and executive officers then served those who attend.  It is hosted as a way to award the winners of the Market Animal Evaluation Contest - Market and Breeding Division.

Market Animal Evaluation Contest (MAEC) - Meat Division: March 26, 2002

The Market Animal Evaluation Contest has a second division with the Meats Contest.  Here students are again assigned to either a junior or senior division to participate in. The contestants then 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 23, 2002

An activity that has been going on for many years was Block and Bridle's hosting the 29th Annual Big Red Beef Show.  This activity was held at the Lancaster County Event Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.  This event was sanctioned with the Nebraska Junior Cattlemen's Association.  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.

Block and Bridle and Animal Science Graduate Student Association Joint
Dance: April 12, 2002

Just before Dead Week and Finals Week for students, Block and Bridle hosted a dance with the Animal Science Graduate Student Association.  This was held just out of town as a way for students to socialize and relax before the end of the semester.  This was the main social activity of the semester and was open to all University students and to those in the surrounding communities.   This was the starting activity for the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) Week.

State FFA Contest- Career Development Events (CDE) - Selection: April 5,
2002 and Management: April 6, 2002

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. The Management Contest consists of written exams in dairy, poultry, beef, horse, sheep, and swine.  Block and Bridle is also responsible for registration, moderation of the contest with faculty, scoring the contests, and helping with recording scores for the Management Contest.

Honors Banquet: May 3, 2002

The final activity of the Block and Bridle club is the tradition of the Honors Banquet, which recognizes someone in the animal industry as well as marking 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 in the state of Nebraska. This year's honoree was Mr. Frank Bruning who is the President of the Bruning State Bank and Chair of the Board.  Frank is also the owner and operator of Feedlot Fencing, Inc. and has a total-life cycle management program with his cattle.  He has created many educational opportunities for both young and old when he created the Farmers and Ranchers College.  Frank Bruning and his family are located in Bruning, Nebraska.

Executive Team: President - Justan Wynegar, Vice President - Megan Voss, Treasurer - Benny Mote, Secretary - Lisa Real, Historian - Rachel Janousek, Assistant Historian - Kim Becker, Marshall - Paul Guenther, Assistant Marshall - Kim Bristol, Ambassador - Jeff Schlechte, Ambassador - Emily Buescher, Social Chair - Genna Frenzen, Program Chair - Kami Marsh

Advisors:  Senior Advisor - Merlyn Nielsen, Junior Advisor - Rodger Johnson, Freshman Advisor - Rosie Nold

Chapter Abstracts