USA’s national mammal gets judged in its “working clothes” this week at National Western Stock Show

Put away the hair dryers, clippers and brushes: the bison are coming to the National Western Stock Show this week (Jan. 19, 2022).

Roughly 100 head of North America’s top bison will be arriving at the Stock Show on Wednesday (also known as Bison Hump Day), for the National Bison Association’s 40^th Anniversary Gold Trophy Show. Those entries will be auctioned at the association’s Gold Trophy Sale at the new NWSS Sale Arena on Saturday (Jan. 22, 2022).

Unlike most livestock exhibited at the Stock Show, the bison will be judged while wearing their “working clothes.” That’s the phrase that bison ranchers use to emphasize that these undomesticated animals will not be groomed prior to judging, nor led by halters in the competition.” said Dave Carter, executive director of the National Bison Association.

“Many of the strongest traits that make for a top-quality bison are the same traits that keep this species undomesticated. Our judges focus on selecting bison that will continue to produce deliciously healthy meat without compromising the animal’s ability to thrive in their native environments across North America,” he added.

Consignors will be bringing their animals on Wednesday to the new NWSS bison handling facilities, which will be dedicated on Friday in honor of Del Hensel, one of the early pioneers of the commercial bison business. The entries will be judged on Thursday, with the top honors awarded during ceremonies in the NWSS sale arena Friday afternoon.

Beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, the bison will be auctioned in the new NWSS sale arena.

On Friday morning, the NBA will also welcome students from across the region to participate in the Larry Higgins Junior Judging competition. That competition helps introduce students into the factors that make top-quality bison. On Friday afternoon, bison handlers at the Stock Show will provide a demonstration on techniques they use to manage the animals in a low-stress environment.

“We’re proud that the bison Gold Trophy Show and Sale is the capstone of the National Western Stock Show each year,” Carter said. “After all, what better way to conclude the Stock Show than to showcase our National Mammal?”