Now THATS a Carload!

More than a century ago, farmers and ranchers from all over the country came with their cattle to the Denver Union Stockyards on train cars to market their genetics to Western cattlemen.  And when I say they came "with" their cattle, I mean that literally.  Many if not all of the ranchers would ride with their cattle in the train cars to care for them and because likely, there was no other cost effective way to arrive with them at the same time.  As I even think about the history of those carloads, I get a lump in my throat when I think about how important that ride was to them.  How for many of them, their lives and families depended on them arriving and striking a deal.  Carloads of many years passed were not only of bulls used for breeding in the herds of western ranchers but of fat steers that were ready for slaughter and headed for someones dinner plate. 
The carloads of modern day are a little different.  Today's carloads are bulls only.  The ten best bulls from last year's calf crop from any one ranch/farm.  They come in a cattle trailer now, not in by railcar.  And they are officially judged by a panel of 3 judges now, not prospective buyers (although these bulls are still bought and sold privately here outside of the carload show).  Today, they are awarded a trophy and the bragging rights that go along with it.  In my opinion, just being able to put together ten uniform bulls from your own herd to make out the entry form for the show is impressive let alone all the work that goes into preparing for that show day.  They are still displayed in the same wooden pens the bulls of years passed where displayed in; where ranchers and people like myself came to admire and to buy.  They are cleaner, I'm sure (the bulls that arrived decades ago likely did not go through the daily grooming those big boys experience today).  And although the carloads of today are in part exhibition and in part tradition, they still, create the same sense of pride among those involved in bringing those beautiful bulls to the yards.