PLATTE COUNTY – For over 80 years, the National Western Stock Show has been awarding calves to well-deserved participants of the Catch-A-Calf Program. This year, nine of the 37 participants were from Wyoming, one of them right here in Platte County.
The National Western Stock Show Catch-A-Calf Program is an event when a contestant between the ages of 12-18, catches a calf at the rodeo performance, is provided a calf in the spring through sponsorships, cares for it during the year, and then returns in January to show at the National Western Stock Show. This program opens numerous doors and provides scholarship opportunities to those who participate.
Keegan Meyer’s experience began Jan. 16, 2017. He was one of the lucky 10 contestants that day to catch at the rodeo performance. In May, his cattle industry experience truly began, when he brought “Murr,” his Hereford calf, home. Raising sheep his entire life, Keegan will be the first to say that raising cattle is not in his book of knowledge, but with commitment, responsibility and desire, anything is possible. For the next six months, he learned about halter breaking, feeding and maintaining, clipping, and showmanship techniques with cattle, something that was not familiar and different than his market and breeding sheep projects.  Reaching out to local industry producers was also a tremendous asset. With the help and accommodations of Marty Shepard, Bard Ranch and his FFA Advisor, Mr. Brice McIntosh, gaining understanding and knowledge of the industry helped Keegan during his experience. Just this past week at the NWSS, Keegan completed his project and achieved the ultimate goal of the program. The Catch-A-Calf Show is not only about showing the steer, but also includes Sponsor Relations and Correspondence, in which monthly letters need to be sent to sponsors, Record Book, Industry Performance, Interview, with a prepared two-minute speech, Live Evaluation, Showmanship and Carcass, which is how the animal grades after slaughter. Keegan placed 4th in Sponsor Relations, 2nd in Record Book, 2nd in Interview and 1st in Industry Performance.  He was awarded a ribbon and belt buckle donated by the Snell Family, who are longtime residents of Wheatland and huge supporters of the program. Without the help and support of these sponsors, the program would not be possible.   
The Catch-A-Calf Program not only gives experience and opportunity in the cattle industry, but also teaches skills in everyday life. Responsibility, commitment, and personal relations are three of the most important life skills Keegan has learned. Being responsible means to take initiative and be accountable for his actions. Commitment is the ability to finish a task without giving up and making sacrifices, no matter if in school or a career. Lastly, personal relations is a skill that every person is faced with. Being able to communicate with confidence without the comfort or help of technology and social media is becoming overwhelming. Having the ability to stand in front of the class to give a speech, reciting the FFA Creed, or walking into a room for that first job interview, personal relations will always be important. No matter the background, education, or knowledge, this program is about stepping out of that comfort zone and experiencing new things.
Keegan is a Freshman at Wheatland High School and is very active in FFA, wrestling, cross country, and track. He has been a member of the Kountry Kidz 4-H Club for seven years and is active in church and youth group. He is the son of Greg and Lanay Meyer.