Silver Spur Employees attend Grassland Nutrition’s 2017 Meats College
Silver Spur Employees attend Grassland Nutrition’s 2017 Meats College
A Day of Education, Steak and Discussion
On Friday, February 10, 2017, Dr. Kelcey Swyers, owner and private nutritionist with Grassland Nutrition, invited a large group of her beef clientele to a very educational event, 2017 Meats College hosted by Colorado State University and Dr. Dale Woerner, Associate Professor of Meat Safety and Quality. Among the beef producers who attended were a couple of Silver …Spur Ranch’s employees.
The day started off with an extensive tour of JBS’s beef packing plant in Greeley, Colorado. The group consisted of 60+ beef producers across the state of Colorado and Wyoming. We were divided up into 6 groups and toured the whole facility, from the coolers to the fab floor. Dr. Swyers was noted in saying, “For many years I have wanted to give the beef producers who I work with the opportunity to go through a big commercial packing plant.” All had a front row seat to see what happens to the beef we produce as it is processed into branded product for the consumer.
After the tour of the JBS packing plant, the group assembled at CSU’s brand new CoBank Center for Ag Education located at ARDEC (Agricultural Research, Development and Education Center) for lunch and for presentations by Dr. Woerner of Colorado State University. Dr. Gary Tibbets of ZinPro Performance Minerals, and Don Anderson of Elanco. We were fed an incredible steak dinner prepared by a member of CSU’s Meats Judging Team and sponsored by Elanco and ZinPro Performance Minerals. The Meats Judging program at CSU uses these catering opportunities to raise money to fund travel to attend all of their competitions across the United States.
After lunch, we all stepped back into the classroom. Dr. Woerner gave an interactive steak tasting panel and discussion on grading, tenderness, flavor and eating experience presentation. Dr. Woerner’s driving point of the discussion was how can we as beef producers better differentiate the beef we produce and provide a “top shelf” eating experience for our beef consumers. Discussion questions were entrained and the attendees were involved in topics of the industry. Dr. Woerner’s presentation was a wild success and everyone in the room left with a new perspective on how we can influence the eating experience in every bite!
We also had presentations and discussions from Dr. Gary Tibbets of ZinPro Performance Minerals on their program StepUp – Lameness Prevention Program and Don Anderson of Elanco on hoof health and foot rot prevention.
Thank you to Colorado State University, and sponsors, ZinPro Performance Minerals, Elanco and Grassland Nutrition for the very educational day learning more about the beef industry and how to better ourselves as producers.

And the Winner is…..
For the second year in a row- Jolly and S&L Cattle took home the buckles! Beachner Brothers was second. Four Three/ FX Bar Ranches and Bootheel 7/ Hageman Ranch tied for 3rd.
Jenna Stierwalt had the Top Horse.
Ty Swiler, Beachner Brothers Livestock won the Bronc riding with a 79 and earned the buckle for Top Hand.
Thank you to all the teams that traveled to Encampment and to all of those who were in the stands!
See you next year!!
3rd UNPRR WRCA Rodeo
Elwyn McCleskey –
So proud of our program! Silver Spur Ranches just earned an AQHA World Championship with Elwyn McCleskey on ranch raised horse SS Hey One Eye. This is such a ranch-wide team achievement.
Congrats to the Bell Division
WRCA Top Hand Ranch Rodeo – Ridge Knotwell
We are so excited for Ridge Knotwell! He has been invited to the Working Ranch Cowboy Association inaugural 2016 WRCA Top Hand Ranch Rodeo. Ridge was awarded Top Hand honors at the Upper North Platte WRCA Ranch Rodeo in Encampment.
Matt Turner and Lil Lena WolfCreek
Congratulations Matt Turner and Silver Spur Ranches! You are an AQHA year-end high-point award winner for COWBOY VERSATILITY RANCH HORSE with LIL LENA WOLFCREEK!
2016 Stock Show Stand Outs

Reserve Champion Pen Red Angus Bulls National Western Stock Show ~ SPUR GRAVITY 601 2441C, SPUR GRAVITY 601 2507C, SPUR Stronghold 2171C
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SPUR LADY 2B963 Kiley Klas Southmayd, Texas (heifer sold in an online sale with Travis Pembrook)
Grand Champion Horned Hereford Heifer Fort Worth Junior Heifer Show
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SPUR GRAVITY 601 2441C
Silver Spur Ranches and 3 Aces Cattle Company, Clinton, Tenn
Champion Junior Bull Calf Fort Worth Open Red Angus Show