DENVER — There's been a lot of buying and selling over at the National Western Stock Show this week.
Friday night, people were shopping for potential.
Genetics were the focus of the annual “Embryos on Snow” auction, as buyers were searching for the right ingredients – live animals, semen, embryos, even clones – to breed what they hope will become award-winning cattle.
“But this represents the cream of the crop, and the upper echelon of genetics of what’s out there in the show cattle industry and the breeding cattle world,” said Jared Shipman, of Innovation Ag Marketing, who managed the sale.
Shipman said some of the sales reach deep into six figures. Breeding is serious business.
“This is the best of the best,” said auctioneer Steve Bonham. “A lot of these are proven matings that people have generated a lot of dollars with, or won a lot of shows with. But this is the elite of the elite. You have to be really good and have special genetics to even be in this sale tonight.”
The event also offered more scholarship opportunities. The La Prix Contest and Scholarship program awarded $20,000 in five scholarships for youth entrepreneurs just before the auction began.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Animals and Wildlife
MORE WAYS TO GET 9NEWS
Subscribe to our daily 9NEWSLETTER for top stories from 9NEWS curated daily just for you. Get content and information right now for can’t-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.
DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP
iTunes: http://on9news.tv/itunes
Google Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n
HOW TO ADD THE FREE 9NEWS+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KUSA.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "9NEWS" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.