Southeast Colorado ranch family to mark 35 years at National Western
The Wilkinson family of southeast Colorado has been participating in the National Western Stock Show for over 30 years. After the holiday season, Bill, Nancy, and Sydney Wilkinson load up their bulls and heifers from their ranch in Las Animas County and head to Denver for the 120th anniversary of the show, running from Jan. 10-25.
Operating Wilkinson Gelbvieh Ranch, Bill and Nancy, along with their daughter Sydney, prepare their animals for the event that attracts livestock producers and buyers from around the world. Bill describes the stock show as highly competitive, attracting the best cattle and likening it to the Super Bowl of livestock shows.
The stock show holds a special tradition for the Wilkinsons, who have been attending for 35 years. Nancy expresses excitement about the new facilities, such as the Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Livestock Center, part of a multi-year redevelopment project.
The Wilkinsons raise a variety of cattle, including purebred Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle. Their ranching tradition dates back to Bill’s great-grandfather in the Texas Hill Country, with Bill’s father purchasing the Colorado ranch they now run.
Both Bill and Nancy have served on the board of the American Gelbvieh Association, attending national shows and conventions. Bill notes the importance of showcasing their cattle live at events like the National Western, where they often gain buyers.
The current cattle market is strong, with prices at record levels. Despite challenges like rising costs and inflation, the higher beef prices have been beneficial to ranchers like the Wilkinsons.
Bill mentions the low cattle numbers nationwide as a driving factor behind the high beef prices. Colorado’s herd size remains low due to factors like drought and increasing costs, reflecting a larger trend of demographic changes in agriculture.
As the industry faces challenges with aging operators and a lack of younger entrants, the Wilkinsons continue their ranching tradition, preparing for another successful year at the National Western Stock Show.
